154 cm pros and cons

GREAT thread, I was just looking up 154CM today. This was just what I needed. I was looking at getting a Mini-Grip-my first Benchmade.
 
The alloy is the same. The processing is different.
154CM is made using a melt. CPM is powdered metal (PM). The CPM process results in a smaller carbide size that should provide greater edge stability. So even though the alloy is the same composition, the CPM154 should have superior performance.

Here is a link to Crucible's description of the CPM process:
http://www.crucibleservice.com/products/CPM/index.cfm
 
Four steels are basically the same composition - 154CM, ATS-34, CPM154, RWL-34. The last two are particle or powder metal types which have carbides smaller and more evenly distributed. This gives better properties for both maker and user though cost a bit more. They all are very fine steels for blades ,amongst the best !!! They are not brittle as long as heat treatment is done properly !!!
 
There are a couple minor compositional differences between 154CM/ATS-34 and CPM-154/RWL-34. The latter have a pinch (0.1%) of Vanadium which helps refine the grain structure. Mete can probably describe that mechanism better than anyone. CPM-154 (like most CPM steels) also contains nitrogen which is substituted for carbon in part of its structure, also improving toughness. I don't know if RWL-34 incorporates Nitrogen in its composition, but if it lacks anything that's in CPM-154 it's not discernable by this knifemaker. Both are outstanding steels.
 
ive abused the hell out my emerson k-bit and its still been with me more thatn 2 years now. i broke of a few milimeters of tip though when it came into contact with a cement wall or floor dunno which.

its all about the heat treat.
 
Slightly off topic I suppose,

But did Microtech use a heat treat different than the norm (say Benchmade, for example) for there 154cm blades? I recently picked up an Amphibian, made in 2001, and the blade has a blackish tint to it. Reminds me of a D2 knife I own that has been cryo treated.

I'm used to the usual "tumbled" finish or a polished finish. This is different.
 
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