Spyderco Forums

gooeytek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 2:23 pm

From a buyer/user point of view, what reasons would there be to opt for a non-stainless steel if a stainless alternative is available that has similar toughness and edge-retention?

Some people just really like a steel. M4 has a certain reputation among knife enthusiasts. Is it a good steel? Sure. Are there steels with better properties? Sure. But some people just really love M4. Maybe they got their first great edge on that steel? Maybe their favorite model is in that steel? Maybe you just like the way a good patina looks? I think there are plenty of "illogical" reasons to prefer one steel over another.

gooeytek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 2:23 pm

cjk wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:25 pm

gooeytek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:17 pm

Does this mean that Magnacut has rendered 4V obsolete, and this new steel will do the same thing to 3V ?

I would go with "no" and "no".

From a buyer/user point of view, what reasons would there be to opt for a non-stainless steel if a stainless alternative is available that has similar toughness and edge-retention?

Possibly other characteristics like sharpening response, tendency not to form burrs etc.

gooeytek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 2:23 pm

cjk wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:25 pm

gooeytek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:17 pm

Does this mean that Magnacut has rendered 4V obsolete, and this new steel will do the same thing to 3V ?

I would go with "no" and "no".

From a buyer/user point of view, what reasons would there be to opt for a non-stainless steel if a stainless alternative is available that has similar toughness and edge-retention?

Because some people like it, think it's cool, and most importantly, they'll buy it. Lots of folks like patina.

154CM was invented in 1959. One could argue that it's obsolete, but it's still used in knives to this day. Folks still buy them.

I'll be completely honest I'm a bit of a Goldilocks when it comes to corrosion. I like playing with a patina but I also really value a rust proof knife. I love them all and wouldn't want to be stuck with either one or the other, even when both categories have steels I consider favorites. Different steels for different knives for different uses.

cjk wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 12:49 pm

horzuff wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 7:55 am

cjk wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 03, 2024 2:34 pm

Just thinking out loud:
I'm wondering what the design goals for this steel were.
My wild guess is something along the lines of stainless 3V.

That's what MagnaCut already is :).

But stainless K390, holy moly!

Magnacut is more like stainless 4v.
IIRC, the Magnacut design target was a stainless steel with edge retention and toughness in the ballpark of 4v or Cruwear.
3V is much tougher than 4V and has a lower level of edge retention.

Huh, yeah, You're 100% correct, my brain disregarded the difference between 3 and 4 when there is a huge gap in properties

gooeytek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 2:23 pm

cjk wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:25 pm

gooeytek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:17 pm

Does this mean that Magnacut has rendered 4V obsolete, and this new steel will do the same thing to 3V ?

I would go with "no" and "no".

From a buyer/user point of view, what reasons would there be to opt for a non-stainless steel if a stainless alternative is available that has similar toughness and edge-retention?

Price, model, sharpening and edge characteristics.

Using K390 folders since released and have had no unforced rust issues. But I take care of my stuff

Elk heart, the best part of the whole elk.

I asked If I could share something cool on the Spyderco Forum and was given permission by Eric to share some pictures of an upcoming mule.


There's no timeline for when it's going to be released so please don't ask.

Please keep in mind this is not the official name for the new material. This is simply a placeholder while it's being developed.

The steel was labeled "CPM Proto" on the original steel sheets that manufacturers were sent for testing.

There was also an included PDF was labeled "Project X"

So, looks like while this prototype steel is in its development, it will be called "CPM-Proto-X" by Spyderco until the official name is released.

"Proto-X" would be a pretty good name.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=

A blade of Proto-X, forged in fire,
Sharper than the sun, yet never to tire.
Forged in the heart of a star’s last breath,
It whispers of power, of life, and of death.

Cold to the touch, with a gleam like ice,
It cuts through the dark with a perfect slice.
No rust, no wear, no age to betray,
It carves through time in a silent display.

A tool of the ancients, a weapon of kings,
Born from the forge where the wild flame sings.
It holds in its edge a promise untold,
Of mysteries, secrets, of futures unrolled.

Proto-X steel, a paradox true,
Stronger than steel, yet light as the dew.
Its beauty is deadly, its grace is sublime,
A blade through the ages, untouched by time.

Wow, thats cool! I would absolutely love to get my hands on one of those Mules with the "CPM-PROTO-X" laser engraving! It sounds like a very enticing steel to try out but the collector in me would love to own such an ephemeral piece of Mule Team history.

Mushroom wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2025 12:39 pm

Wow, thats cool! I would absolutely love to get my hands on one of those Mules with the "CPM-PROTO-X" laser engraving! It sounds like a very enticing steel to try out but the collector in me would love to own such an ephemeral piece of Mule Team history.

Agree, I am very excited to get this Mule, even if it is in an extended time frame. Have the blocks for scales ready for this one thanks to an awesome member on this forum.

It would be amazing to get one with the “CPM-PROTO-X" engraving on it. It is just so enriched in today’s Spyderco history with Sal, Eric, Shawn, Larian and many others involved in it.

Maybe when Spyderco is done with them they can auction a few off for charity. What ever they do with them keep track of those, amazing history.

It’s funny, I can already see 20 years from now someone posting: I got this “CPM-PROTO-X" Mule in a yard sale, what is it?

Thanks for sharing @Deadboxhero, a ton of fun for us middle age guys in their daily job grind.

Hey RustyIron, nice poem. Not a big poetry reader, but when it's about blade steel....

Very cool Shawn, thanks for sharing. I'll certainly be in for one of these Mules, if or when they are made.

Deadboxhero wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2025 12:06 pm

I asked If I could share something cool on the Spyderco Forum and was given permission by Eric to share some pictures of an upcoming mule.


There's no timeline for when it's going to be released so please don't ask.

Please keep in mind this is not the official name for the new material. This is simply a placeholder while it's being developed.

The steel was labeled "CPM Proto" on the original steel sheets that manufacturers were sent for testing.

There was also an included PDF was labeled "Project X"

So, looks like while this prototype steel is in its development, it will be called "CPM-Proto-X" by Spyderco until the official name is released.

That is very cool! Thank you for sharing!

Interesting to see where the potential for this Mule Team will end up. I suppose this is why we haven't seen any movement within the MT format for the past 2 Reveals now.

@Deadboxhero will you be helping to develop the heat treatment protocol for this MT release (and hopefully production runs)?

holokai wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 11:56 am

@Deadboxhero will you be helping to develop the heat treatment protocol for this MT release (and hopefully production runs)?

No, I have not been involved.

I'm sure you guys will still enjoy it.

Deadboxhero wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 12:05 pm

holokai wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 11:56 am

@Deadboxhero will you be helping to develop the heat treatment protocol for this MT release (and hopefully production runs)?

No, I have not been involved.

I'm sure you guys will still enjoy it.

Did Eric share any info about hardness on the Spydie sample? I was reading about how Bradford got a sample of this steel and turned it into some knives and sold them, but at least one test was popping up around 61-62 on the Bradford. Curious to see what this sample is run at.

Deadboxhero wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 12:05 pm

holokai wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 11:56 am

@Deadboxhero will you be helping to develop the heat treatment protocol for this MT release (and hopefully production runs)?

No, I have not been involved.

I'm sure you guys will still enjoy it.

If you got a prototype Mule to test, then your involved, even if it's just actionable feedback. It looks like you already put micro bevel on from stropping.

Not trying to be insensitive, but before CPM stops production, I hope Spyderco was able to get enough steel for a Mule run for the rest of us, if not it might be a while until we see them.

Red Leader wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 2:12 pm

Deadboxhero wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 12:05 pm

holokai wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 27, 2025 11:56 am

@Deadboxhero will you be helping to develop the heat treatment protocol for this MT release (and hopefully production runs)?

No, I have not been involved.

I'm sure you guys will still enjoy it.

Did Eric share any info about hardness on the Spydie sample? I was reading about how Bradford got a sample of this steel and turned it into some knives and sold them, but at least one test was popping up around 61-62 on the Bradford. Curious to see what this sample is run at.

I do not know the hardness.