154CM steel
154CM is a conventional stainless steel from Crucible / Latrobe. It rates 5/10 for edge retention, 4/10 for toughness and 6/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 58–61 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Stainless steels
- Hardness
- 58–61 HRC
- Maker
- Crucible / Latrobe (USA)
- Process
- ingot
- Price tier
- Mid-range
- Used by
- Benchmade (Griptilian, 940 older), Emerson, Hogue, Kershaw (older), Pro-Tech
- Also called
- 154-CM
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.05 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 4 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.3 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 |
Source: manufacturer datasheet. Nominal values; where a range is published, the midpoint is shown. Phosphorus and sulfur, where listed, are maximums.
What makes 154CM behave the way it does
154CM contains 1.05% carbon, enough to reach typical knife hardness; 14% chromium for corrosion resistance.
Molybdenum (4%) improves hardenability and pitting resistance.
Originally developed for jet-engine bearings; ATS-34 is the Hitachi equivalent.
Equivalent and similar steels
- 154CM class (similar class; compositions differ): 154CM, ATS-34, CPM 154, RWL34
Knives in 154CM
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benchmade Barrage | Benchmade | 3.6" | 4.31 oz | AXIS lock | $250 | Blade HQ |
| Benchmade Mini Barrage | Benchmade | 2.91" | 3.4 oz | AXIS lock | $225 | Blade HQ |
| Pro-Tech Godfather 951 Tuxedo | Pro-Tech | 4" | 3.6 oz | Button lock | $330 | Blade HQ |
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How to sharpen 154CM
154CM is moderately easy to sharpen (6/10). Water stones and ceramics work; diamond plates speed up reprofiling or repairing a damaged edge.
Compare 154CM with
FAQ
Is 154CM a good knife steel?
154CM is strongest in corrosion resistance (6/10) and weakest in toughness (4/10). Its average across the four ratings is 5.2/10, and it sits in the mid-range price tier.
Does 154CM rust?
It can. 154CM rates 6/10: stain-resistant rather than rust-proof, so it can spot if left wet or salty.
Is 154CM hard to sharpen?
154CM is moderately easy to sharpen (6/10). Water stones and ceramics work; diamond plates speed up reprofiling or repairing a damaged edge.
What hardness is 154CM?
Knives in 154CM are usually hardened to 58–61 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.