Thread: Holding an edge...

Originally Posted by Kelly

Actually ATS34 is a CPM.
ATS 34 started out as '154-CM' (i.e. cruciable metalurgy-> which changed to crucible particle metalurgy), but was not made in the sizes and volumes many knife makers needed so it was difficult to obtain and work with. Enter Hitachi Steel, with its "ATS-34", which is 154-CM.

ATS-34 is a conventionally produced high carbon stainless tool steel. It is NOT a CPM steel. If it doesn't have CPM in front of it, it ain't a CPM steel, as CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) is a patented, copyrighted manufacturing process. There are a couple European companies making powdered steel, but ATS-34 isn't one of them. RWL-34 is the powder steel version of ATS-34, and is designated as such.

Originally Posted by Joe Chandler

ATS-34 is a conventionally produced high carbon stainless tool steel. It is NOT a CPM steel. If it doesn't have CPM in front of it, it ain't a CPM steel, as CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) is a patented, copyrighted manufacturing process. There are a couple European companies making powdered steel, but ATS-34 isn't one of them. RWL-34 is the powder steel version of ATS-34, and is designated as such.

What he said.