154 CPM questions

[DaveL]

I still use ATS 34 for springs but am curious if anyone is using CPM for springs and if so, how do you like it, how do you heat treat it and how do you compare it to ATS?

[doublearrow]

I've made a handful of slip joints and used cpm 154. To be honest I just called Paul Bos and told him to heat treat it for his preference. I wish I could give you more, but I've not used enough of either to compare the two, but I did not have any major problems.

[Don Robinson]

Dave, I've used CPM 154 for springs and it works fine. heat treat it just like ATS34. If you cryo treat it between tempers it may get a little harder, so in that case you may need to raise the final temper temp. 25 to 50 degrees higher than ATS34.

CPM steels seem to respond to cryo a little more than the plain versions do in my experience, and I like that.

[David Broadwell]

Dave,

I haven't used the new CPM154 for springs. I have, however, used it for several knife blades, both fixed and folders. Anything you can do with ATS34, you can do with CPM154 and do it better! It is an excellent steel, arguably the best choice for knives. It's also cleaner than ATS (and 154cm), just as easy to grind and machine, and takes a better finish. It's only drawback is that it's more expensive.

David