When it comes to choosing a steel for a knife blade, there are endless options available in the market. Two popular choices are 7Cr17MoV and 154CM. Both steels have their own strengths and weaknesses so it’s important to take a deeper look at each of them to understand which one might better suit your needs.
Here is the short answer:
While both 7Cr17MoV and 154CM offer good corrosion resistance and edge retention, 154CM is a better quality steel with a higher carbon composition and better heat treatment, making it a more premium steel choice compared to 7Cr17MoV.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each blade steel like what their best uses are, what their composition is, how they compare in-depth, and the best knives in each steel.
Deep dive on 7Cr17MoV
7Cr17MoV is a popular stainless steel for knife blade, often used in budget-friendly knives. The downside to 7Cr17MoV is that it is a steel that does not hold an edge as well nor does it have the toughness as many other steels more expensive than it. The steel composition is as follows:
0.7% carbon
17% chromium
1.3% molybdenum
0.1% vanadium
0.2% silicon
0.035% phosphorus
0.03% sulfur
7Cr17MoV’s high chromium composition offers good corrosion resistance, while its carbon content and molybdenum add strength and help maintain a sharp edge. However, it can often be considered a lower-quality steel compared to others in the market.
Deep dive on 154CM
154CM is a premium steel choice, known for its great edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. There is no real downside to 154CM as it is a well-rounded steel. The composition of 154CM is:
1.05% carbon
14% chromium
4% molybdenum
0.5% manganese
0.3% silicon
154CM has a higher carbon content and molybdenum, which is responsible for its higher hardness and better edge retention. The addition of manganese helps improve toughness, while silicon enhances corrosion resistance.
7Cr17MoV versus 154CM Which one is Better?
With both 7Cr17MoV and 154CM offering corrosion resistance and decent edge retention, the choice ultimately comes down to steel quality and price.
While 7Cr17MoV is often used in budget-friendly knives, it can be considered a lower-quality steel. 154CM, on the other hand, is considered a more premium, high-quality steel. It is capable of holding a sharp edge for a longer period of time due to its high carbon content and often better heat treatment. 154CM steel blades can be more expensive but are often worth the investment for knives that will be used frequently for more demanding tasks.
Our favorite knives in each steel
Now that we have looked in-depth at each steel, we can look at what we have found to be the best knives in each steel.
Benchmade Mini Barrage (154CM)
The mini Barrage is an EDC knife from Benchmade that can be used for any task you can think of. The Barrage has assisted opening, a 2.9-inch blade, is just over 6 inches open, and weighs 3.4 ounces. This knife has all the features that make a great everyday carry blade.
Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)
Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point (7cr17MoV)
The Gerber EXO-MOD Drop Point is a skeletonized fixed-blade hunting knife that is very versatile. This knife has an orange handle to make sure you never lose it while yor working, a 3.7-inch 7Cr17MoV blade, has an overall length of 8.5-inches, and weighs only 2.6 ounces. If you want an affordable and lightweight hunting knife, this might be the knife for you.
Check out this knife here (link to Amazon)
Conclusion
Both 7Cr17MoV and 154CM are stainless steel materials that offer decent performance but differ in quality. While 7Cr17MoV is an economical choice for knives, 154CM is a premium choice for those who want higher quality and better performance, especially in challenging cutting tasks.