CPM CruWear steel
CPM CruWear is a powder metallurgy tool steel from Crucible. It rates 7/10 for edge retention, 7/10 for toughness and 3/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 60–64 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Powder metallurgy tool steels
- Hardness
- 60–64 HRC
- Maker
- Crucible (USA)
- Process
- PM
- Price tier
- Premium
- Used by
- Spyderco (Military, Manix 2, PM2 CruWear), Benchmade (Bugout CruWear), Hinderer, Zero Tolerance (0562CF), Carothers (Delta 3V alt.)
- Also called
- CruWear, Cru-Wear, CPM-CruWear, PM CruWear
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.1 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 7.5 |
| Vanadium (V) | 2.4 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.6 |
| Tungsten (W) | 1.15 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 |
| Silicon (Si) | 1.2 |
| 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 CruWear behave the way it does
CPM CruWear contains 1.1% carbon, enough to reach typical knife hardness; 7.5% chromium, too little for stainless behaviour.
Its 2.4% vanadium forms vanadium carbides, among the hardest carbides in knife steels, which drive wear resistance and slow edge loss but also make the steel slower to sharpen; tungsten (1.15%) adds hard carbides and helps the steel keep its hardness; molybdenum (1.6%) improves hardenability.
It is made by powder metallurgy: the alloy is atomised into fine powder and consolidated, which keeps the carbides small and evenly spread. That is what lets a highly alloyed steel stay tough enough for a knife blade.
Descendant of Vasco Wear; Z-Wear (Zapp) is the same composition.
Equivalent and similar steels
- CruWear class (similar class; compositions differ): CPM CruWear, Z-Wear
Knives in CruWear
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spyderco Manix 2 CPM CruWear | Spyderco | 3.37" | 4.9 oz | Ball Bearing Lock | $252 | Blade HQ |
| Spyderco Para 3 CPM CruWear | Spyderco | 2.93" | 3.5 oz | Compression lock | $289 | Blade HQ |
| Spyderco Stretch 2 XL CPM CruWear | Spyderco | 3.99" | 4.6 oz | Back lock | $320 | Blade HQ |
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How to sharpen CruWear
CruWear is moderately easy to sharpen (5/10). Water stones and ceramics work; diamond plates speed up reprofiling or repairing a damaged edge.
Compare CruWear with
FAQ
Is CruWear a good knife steel?
CruWear is strongest in edge retention (7/10) and weakest in corrosion resistance (3/10). Its average across the four ratings is 5.5/10, and it sits in the premium price tier.
Does CruWear rust?
Yes, if neglected. CruWear rates only 3/10; keep it dry and lightly oiled, especially in humid weather.
Is CruWear hard to sharpen?
CruWear is moderately easy to sharpen (5/10). Water stones and ceramics work; diamond plates speed up reprofiling or repairing a damaged edge.
What hardness is CruWear?
Knives in CruWear are usually hardened to 60–64 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.