ATS-34 or CPM-440V
ATS-34 or CPM-440V
I'm looking for a new knife. The military has caught my attention but I'm not familiar with CPM-440V. Which is a better steel: ATS-34 or CPM-440V??? What are the pro's and con's for each? Thanx for any info you can give me.
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- Clay Kesting
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Brian,
Given the option I would always chose CPM440V. It has a very fine grain structure due to the way it is manufactured and, as a result can take a very sharp edge. You can find out more about the manufacturing process here: http://www.crucibleservice.com/crucpm.htm. It also holds it's edge well, and I've had no problems with chipping under normal use.
OTOH I feel ATS34 is somewhat over rated. I'm never really happy with the edge I get on it, and end up sharpening fairly frequently. Hope this helps.
Take care,
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Given the option I would always chose CPM440V. It has a very fine grain structure due to the way it is manufactured and, as a result can take a very sharp edge. You can find out more about the manufacturing process here: http://www.crucibleservice.com/crucpm.htm. It also holds it's edge well, and I've had no problems with chipping under normal use.
OTOH I feel ATS34 is somewhat over rated. I'm never really happy with the edge I get on it, and end up sharpening fairly frequently. Hope this helps.
Take care,
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
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- Clay Kesting
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The BladeForums' Steel FAQ by Joe Talmadge is a good place to start: http://www.BladeForums.com/features/faqsteel.shtml
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 8/25/00 2:55:09 PM
Clay
Don't worry that the world might end tomorrow, in Australia it's tomorrow already.
Edited by - Clay Kesting on 8/25/00 2:55:09 PM
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Notice that Spyderco has lowered, by about 2 points Rc, the hardness of their 440V. That will increase toughness and should take care of any chipping problems that might have been seen on the older 440V blades. But it also will lower somewhat the wear resistance, and of course lower the strength a bit.
I'd still go with 440V, especially if everything else in your collection is the ubiquitous ATS-34. Might as well check out 440V!
Joe
I'd still go with 440V, especially if everything else in your collection is the ubiquitous ATS-34. Might as well check out 440V!
Joe