KnifePickerwhich knife steel should you buy?

CPM-154 knife steel

CPM-154 is a powder-metallurgy (PM) stainless knife steel, typically hardened to HRC 58-61.

TypeStainless · powder metallurgy
HardnessHRC 58-61
Edge retentionhighhigher than 19 of 48, tied with 17
Corrosion resistancehighhigher than 22 of 48, tied with 16
Toughnessmediumhigher than 4 of 48, tied with 20
Ease of sharpeningmoderate to sharpeneasier to sharpen than 20 of 48, tied with 14
Price tierMid
Best forEDC / foldersKitchen

Shop CPM-154 knives on Amazon →

Knives in CPM-154

Product images and titles via Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you — the link opens Amazon results for knives in this steel.

Last verified 2026-06-11 · properties are documented consensus tiers; real performance depends on heat treat & geometry (methodology)

Similar stainless steels

SteelTypeHRCEdgeCorrosionToughnessTierBuy
440CStainless58-60mediumhighmediumBudgetKnives →
8Cr13MoVStainless57-59mediummediummediumBudgetKnives →
9Cr18MoVStainless58-60mediumhighmediumBudgetKnives →
AUS-8Stainless57-59mediummediumhighBudgetKnives →
Sandvik 12C27Stainless57-59mediumhighhighBudgetKnives →
AUS-10Stainless58-60mediummediummediumMidKnives →

All stainless steels · every steel · best for a purpose