Is 154CM Dead ?

Wolverine666 · #1

I remember only a few years ago when 154CM seemed to be the standard "good" steel to have for a blade. It was extremely popular and considered a premium stainless steel. And the upper crust of blades had S30V. Now it appears that S30V is the new gold standard of excellence in blade steels and the (even more) upper crust have steels like CTS-XHP , 20CP , M390 , S90V , etc.

I assume this is just progress in the world of knives and steel. Better research , better methods and better technology make for better products. And I'm all for better steel. But I was just wondering if 154CM was on it's way out since it is becoming a less desirable steel compared to the other steels. I do love S30V and I'm about to try out M390. But I always liked 154CM. My Manix 2 has 154CM and I love it. Easy to sharpen and is pretty tough.

So do you think 154CM will be gone soon ?

EagleScouter · #2

I think it'll always be around. Kinda like how 154CM replaced 440C. There will still be 154CM fans just as there are still BG-42 fans and 440C fans. To what extent is the real question.

Slash · #3

I don't think you can ever kill 154cm. Like the Phoenix. It will rise up from ashes.

Ken44 · #4

Nah, it's not dead, I had my last two custom slip joints made with 154cm. Really good steel when heat treated right... it's tough, pretty easy to sharpen, and holds a good enough edge for me.
Though I dought we will see spyderco use it all that often.

Blerv · #5

Sal and copmany are self-proclaimed "steel snobs". You can still pay $80 for some knives with AUS-8...you just have to go elsewhere to do it. :p

Wolverine666 · #6

I think I am becoming a steel snob myself. Nothing wrong with evolving with the times. I just happen to notice 154CM is becoming harder to come by as of late. But like I said , I'm all for better (and newer) steels. I will miss the tried and true 154CM. But S30V and M390 are my new BFF's.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #7

I hope not. I like 154CM quite a bit. Better than VG-10. I really wish that they had not switched to S30V for the Manix 2. Which reminds me...I am going to pick up a second 154CM version before they start to get harder to find.

Wolverine666 · #8

DeathBySnooSnoo wrote:I hope not. I like 154CM quite a bit. Better than VG-10. I really wish that they had not switched to S30V for the Manix 2. Which reminds me...I am going to pick up a second 154CM version before they start to get harder to find.

The 154CM Manix 2 is a fantastic knife. Especially at @ $80 !

Evil D · #9

Someday there's going to be sprint runs of "vintage steels" and people will be buying them up as fast as they can.

Blerv · #10

Evil D wrote:Someday there's going to be sprint runs of "vintage steels" and people will be buying them up as fast as they can.

Like every company making knives with 1075 and 1095? :)

DeathBySnooSnoo · #11

I could go for some Spyderco 1095

gull wing · #12

Sure hope it's not dead. I have several knives in 154CM, like the edge. Last time I looked, they still sell it at knife supply company's.
I have some in CPM154, which I like even more than S30V.

JNewell · #13

In real life...? If the only steel that was available was 154CM (and ATS-34), we'd all survive, and most users would never notice, really. :) There was a time, not so long ago, when this was as good as it got - and it was very good. :spyder:

chewy667 · #14

I'm getting to the point where I'm not really sure I care. I'm digging everything from aus 8 all the way up to zdp -189 and cts - 20cp( the highest end steels I have). But I'm diggin 'em all for different reasons. I tried out a friends oh so sweet Kershaw and it had 8cr13mov and it took like 2 min on the sharpmaker to get it so sharp that even sharp knives are like "****!!!"

Water Bug · #15

Steels like 154CM are just as golden as non-stainless tool steels, which are as as golden as modern super steels. Steels like 154CM won't go out of style from a practical application standpoint. Emerson certainly still likes 154CM. My father loved 154CM for making knives of stainless steel because he could temper it in my mother's oven.

There's new, advanced super steels, and there are tried and true steels like ATS-34 and 154CM. IMO, steels such as 154CM have their place and application in the knife world... and they always will.

chuck_roxas45 · #16

I really like 154CM, easy to sharpen, takes a screaming edge, and is easily tough enough to not need to be babied.

Wolverine666 · #17

I will always like and respect 154CM. Most of my knives that I bought early in my knife collecting years had it. And it has always impressed me. And now it's so affordable as well. What's the closest steel to 154CM ? VG-10 ?

Halfneck · #18

Most of my hard use experience with a knife was with 154CM. Never failed me & was easy to sharpen. Actually awaiting a custom order from Tom Krein in CPM154.

Slash · #19

Try doing this with sxxxv

http://www.scrapyardknives.com/ubbthrea ... art=1&vc=1

SpyderNut · #20

One of my first "real" knives featured 154CM steel. Loved the stuff then, and still love it now. Doesn't seem too long ago when 154CM / ATS-34 were considered the kings of good steel...

I once made two knives with ATS-34 steel (one folding and one fixed-bladed). The steel was easy to work with and offered great edge-holding capabilities.