What’s everyone’s take on m4 steel? I’m somewhat new to knives. Corrosion? Sharpening?
by Old_Proof6419
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14 Comments
Pretty tough, not bad to sharpen, moderate corrosion resistance, upper tier edge holding. Keep it oiled is my advice, at least if you’re sweating. BM has a habit of burning their factory edges, so you’ll probably have some steel to remove before you have a high performing edge
https://knifesteelnerds.com/2021/10/19/knife-steels-rated-by-a-metallurgist-toughness-edge-retention-and-corrosion-resistance/
You’ve already bought the knife, it is a little bit late to be asking now. How about you use it and report back?
In practice, heat treatment and geometry play a *far* greater role in knife performance than steel type.
Bro how did you get the jade handles. I’ve been trying to snipe one of these for 6 months
Sharpening was a breeze for me. Not nearly enough corrosion resistance for my sweaty ass but it’s held a rather thin edge very well otherwise
It’s hard and tough enough to run a really thin accute edge which would give you excellent cutting performance and edge retention. However you would need to drastically reprofile and or regrind the knife as 940 arrives too thick from the factory. If you dont go this way there really isnt a point comparing steel options on this knfie except m4 rusts and s30v less so
Have had several benchmades in M4, have two that I’ll never sell. After the first few sharpenings it massively improved, easy to sharpen on diamond stones and they stay screaming sharp for a long time. I have had some very minor rust spots after getting the edges wet but I live on the coast and have never oiled them.
That’s a solid knife. I love my 940. I just have the standard S30V and green aluminum but it’s been great. Do you think you’ll keep the jade scales or switch them out?
For me the corrosion resistance is an issue when on my non coated m4, coated m4 didn’t have this same issue. Something to consider for sure.
Ha
Have this steel on my Shaman and it’s a wonderful steel. Holds its edge well and sharpens much easier than expected. In my experience it is a little chippier than expected but nothing I haven’t been able to sharpen out in short order.
It’s hard to describe but it just *feels* like a working steel in use- like something you’d find on a big tough camp knife.
Corrosion can be a real issue on m4. Fortunately that coating will make it very resistant. I’d still recommend putting a little oil on there from time to time just to keep the edge from corroding.
Sharpening m4 can take a while if you’re going for a very acute edge but it holds an edge very well and performs nicely whether you want to go with a toothy edge or smooth.
Will stay sharp for a long time. Will eventually corrode if not taken care of. Very tough, very much a bitch to sharpen. I don’t like it as much as Cruwear, but I do like me some M4.
M4 is one of my favorite steel, it will stay sharp forever, and isn’t to bad to sharpen. Thank heavens BM and Spyderco do great heat treats.
I accidentally walked into the ocean with my Contego in my pocket, and by the time I got out rust had already formed. I had to take it apart and clean it. Then I sent it in and Benchmade took it apart and cleaned it again, just in case I missed anything. So not very corrosion resistant, but keeps an edge and is very tough.