Why m4?

I guess the term “Super Steel” is really super pain in the ass steel.

Seriously. I do use my knives. I don’t baby them. ….. well maybe a couple. But when I see how easy it rusts it just makes me want to leave it in the case and grab something else.
 
Monofletch said:
I guess the term “Super Steel” is really super pain in the ass steel.

Seriously. I do use my knives. I don’t baby them. ….. well maybe a couple. But when I see how easy it rusts it just makes me want to leave it in the case and grab something else.
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m4 is a super steel in edge retention and toughness not corrosion resistance. trade offs in all super steels.

where ya at the coast..salt air is brutal on everything there.
 
It’s not as bad as some of St. Louis’ humidity! I am a city mailman. I am soaked from 8am -4pm.
But yeah. You are correct.
 
Plus the beach is full of dead fish….. all I got to do is complain about my knife rusting…… sad
 
Monofletch said:
Plus the beach is full of dead fish….. all I got to do is complain about my knife rusting…… sad
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ahh west coast. yeah red tide. mess there in from lee to hernando.

yeah I've been to st louis in the summer it can be hot and wet too.
 
My GB1 and GB2 definitely show pepper spots easily, sometimes within hours.

Despite this, I enjoy CPM-M4 for its ease of sharpening, above average edge retention, and ability to take a keen, smooth edge.

It is one of those steels that like to get worked, but does not like to sit unused.

I stopped fighting the corrosion and just embrace its character.
 
Monofletch said:
I guess the term “Super Steel” is really super pain in the ass steel.

Seriously. I do use my knives. I don’t baby them. ….. well maybe a couple. But when I see how easy it rusts it just makes me want to leave it in the case and grab something else.
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When you leave that one in the case and grab something else, THAT’S when it’ll fuzz up. Just carry the damn thing and use it, clean it, dry it, and oil it once in a while.

A knife that’s used often never rusts. And no, it’s not due to you being able to see rust when it forms and stop it like some think. Use it and let it patina and it won’t rust.
 
LSkUnCS.jpg
 
I live in a climate that is similar to Florida(southern hemisphere though, so dry season right now). I love M4; great edge retention, tough enough for my needs and I quite like the character of low chromium steels as they accumulate a patina.

I would say if it is a problem for you, stay away from steels like K390 and even Maxamet as well. There are plenty of great options in stainless.
 
There's always the ability of the customer/user to choose the right tool/steel for the right application. If you're in a salty and humid environment, carbon steel is probably not the right choice. Some guy in Arizona is wondering what humidity is...while it's 114, and doesn't even have to oil stuff.
 
I've carried knives daily for 40 years, and never required "extreme edge retention" and "toughness" in a blade. Hecky, even "the greatest generation" won WWII with cheapy carbon steel traditionals. Are you guys using your EDC blades in lieu of wrenches to rebuild cruise ship engines? I guess I could see an oil platform worker or roofer wanting that kind of blade (though a utility blade is supreme on the roof), but most of us are using them to open Amazon packages. Seriously, unless you are prying up manhole covers, under what circumstances does a blade steel have to be "tough", and why not use a hammer or pry bar instead?

Kids, these days!
 
My first M4 blade is on order; so I'll be sure to keep the toothpaste trick in my hip pocket...
 
powernoodle said:
I've carried knives daily for 40 years, and never required "extreme edge retention" and "toughness" in a blade. Hecky, even "the greatest generation" won WWII with cheapy carbon steel traditionals. Are you guys using your EDC blades in lieu of wrenches to rebuild cruise ship engines? I guess I could see an oil platform worker or roofer wanting that kind of blade (though a utility blade is supreme on the roof), but most of us are using them to open Amazon packages. Seriously, unless you are prying up manhole covers, under what circumstances does a blade steel have to be "tough", and why not use a hammer or pry bar instead?

Kids, these days!
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I carried my SAK for 20+ years and defeated many a staple. Then I discovered BladeForums😄.
 
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