CPM M4 vs. Magnacut - The last knife I will ever need

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Devil

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Hello folks. My name is Justin. This is my first post on the forums and have a bit of a dilemma.

To make a long story short, I'm looking to buy the last knife I will ever need. Something I can send to hell and back without fear, a piece that can be handed down to my kids one day when the time comes.
Thats not to say I'm done collecting though, hahaha. Just want one knife that will go with me everywhere and handle any task from now on.

I have narrowed down my search to M4 and Magnacut. The only benefit I have seem to have found is with corrosion resistance. But part of my love for knives and firearms is the maintenence that comes with em, I don't mind having to clean and oil my blade all the time.

Besides this, is there anyone who has experience with these steels willing to share their opinions on what they prefer and why?
 
Why limit yourself? There are plenty of other steels. Why not K390? Higher wear resistance than M4.

If it's going to hell and back, why not a tough steel like 1095?

Fixed or folding? Big or small?


This sort of post almost always should have simply been a thorough Google browse instead.
 
Generally speaking, M4 will have better edge retention while Magnacut will have better toughness and corrosion resistance.

Assuming that in sending your knife to hell and back without fear may include some heavy duty cutting, I would probably prioritize the toughness of Magnacut over the better edge retention of M4. Being that you love maintenance, I would assume you'd have no qualms with maybe sharpening Magnacut a little more often.

Realistically, for pocket knife tasks, either is a great performer. Snag a Magnacut Umnumzaan or Inkosi and you'll have an amazing, hell and back worthy, heirloom pocket knife that can go with you everywhere and handle any task.
 
Welcome to the forum, its good to have you.

Im answering without the context of folder or fixed blade, or intended uses. But of the two as an overall user, from my experience, I would probably take Magnacut just for the better toughness.

For a true one and done, and this is more in the context of a fixed blade. I would probably still opt for 3V. Because in my mind, at the end of the day, if it's my only knife I want to be able to dig through a brick wall if needed.

Would Magnacut do that? Possibly, idk. But with a proper heat treat I know 3V will. Just my .02 cents. Good luck on your decision!
 
Devil said:
Hello folks. My name is Justin. This is my first post on the forums and have a bit of a dilemma.

To make a long story short, I'm looking to buy the last knife I will ever need. Something I can send to hell and back without fear, a piece that can be handed down to my kids one day when the time comes.
Thats not to say I'm done collecting though, hahaha. Just want one knife that will go with me everywhere and handle any task from now on.

I have narrowed down my search to M4 and Magnacut. The only benefit I have seem to have found is with corrosion resistance. But part of my love for knives and firearms is the maintenence that comes with em, I don't mind having to clean and oil my blade all the time.

Besides this, is there anyone who has experience with these steels willing to share their opinions on what they prefer and why?
Click to expand...

I like both steels, in my group of favorites. From the same maker, with similar geometry, the two steels feel the same (except for corrosion resistance). Across two different makers, Magnacut can have more wear resistance than M4, or vice versa,

What kind of knife you looking at ? Folder vs fixed blade, size, etc. ? These days, M4 is harder to find than Magnacut. Also, V4E and M4 are very close as well.

And welcome !
 
Either would do fine. Both will take a scary sharp edge and stand up to any reasonable cutting chores. I've found M4 (GB2) a little more difficult to hone, compared to my Bradford Guardian 3 in Magnacut.
 
Neither steel. If you want a folder then I would get a Spyderco from Seki City in K390. If you want a fixed blade I would get a Spyderco from Seki City in K390.
 
Look at K390 as others have said as a possible substitute to M4 (I have M4 (and Rex 45) and love it to, but K390 is awesome!)
My first magnacut arrived yesterday (Spyderco Native Chief) and has only cut paper once to check sharpness so can't comment from experience, but this appears to be an awesome stainless. 😜

In the end, either should do great, especially if you are not concerned about maintenance.
 
I really like the Hogue Ritter in Magnacut and the Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2 in M4. Or the Hogue Deka in Magnacut and Benchmade Bailout in M4 if you want something smaller or lighter.


Get them all.
 
Both steels are good if heat treated well. You can't go wrong with either. I personally prefer the edge that M4 takes.

If you're looking for a "hell and back" knife, I would think you're meaning a fixed blade. It doesn't get any better than Carothers Performance Knives (CPK). They make amazing knives and offer some in magnacut.
 
'Hell and Back'?

Well, tell us what you use knives for, how and why. Day-to-day use? Hard use? Outdoor use?

You will get more answers if you answer those questions. Likely, answers from experts.

'What is steel boy, compared to the hand that weilds it?'. Thulsa Doom. Conan.

[R.I.P. Darth Vader.]
 
I’ve pretty much settled on CPK D3V and Aebl and Magnacut as the steels I’ll only buy new now.

I can’t stand a patina or rust so the Magnacut and Aebl take care of that. For extreme toughness, with Aebl and D3V I am pretty sure I could rule Hell!

D3V, while not stainless is pretty close with Nathan’s heat treat. Plus the ergonomics of CPK knives makes up for any patina I may encounter.

I honestly see no need for any carbon steel with all the good options out there.

Now of course some people like patina so more power to them and their carbon steels.
 
Even Nathan uses 4V (same class as M4, V4E) in his competition cutters, Andy - we still don't know if the OP is looking for fixed or folder.
 
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