CPM 154 vs 154 cm steel

jstn

jstn

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
3,728
I recently ordered an AD-10 which I can barley wait 1 year to get (another topic altogether), and I was wondering about the steel used. I know CPM 154 must be good stuff if Mr. Demko is using it, and I've heard it's quite an upgrade over 154 cm which is a good steel in its own right. In which areas it is CPM 154 better, and is it comparable to another steel (S30V, Elmax, M390, etc.)? I'm haven't yet learned all the chemical properties of steel, so how is CPM 154 an upgrade in terms I can understand, such as corrosion resistance, edge retention, toughness, etc.? Thanks
 
CPM stands for Crucible Particle Metallurgy, which is a process of making steel developed by Crucible. Crucible is a quality steel maker (Emerson only uses their steel), and CPM makes steel with less impurities, as well as more refined and even carbides. The result is steel that is tougher, more wear resistant, has higher alloy grades, and is easier to resharpen. The steel also has numerous benefits for the manufacturer, which might result in lower prices. This is all I can remember from my research paper research.
 
Both are very good steels. They are I believe the same "recipe"...same proportion of Iron, Carbon, etc...but due to the Crucible process, everything is more evenly distributed and thus the CMP version of 154 is going to be "better" (whatever that means) by a measurable margin.

A blade made of either will be fantastic.
 
More toughness, better grindability, better heat treat response, same wear resistance
 
This may help. Courtesy of 'Simply Tool Steel'.

Knife-steel-chart-3.jpg
 
Thanks a bunch guys. I did do some searching on my own, but jut wanted to hear it from the bladeforums experts. The knife steels chart from A.P.F. was just what I wanted so thanks to you I had considered asking Mr. Demko if I couold get it in a different steel, but it looks like CPM 154 shold be pretty good stuff. Just wanted to make sure I got the right thing since this is THE folding knife for me.
 
I talked to the salesman in the Crucible booth at the Blade Show. He said that the recipes were the same for each, but that the grain size was smaller in the CPM 154. CM 154 was a high purity steel to start with so there is probably no significant gain in purity going from CM 154 to CPM 154.
 
A.P.F.- Do you know where Elmax fits into this chart?
 
Pretty sure that Elmax will only be under M390 and S90V on that chart for edge retention.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top