Pros & cons of Cruwear?

[Catamount123]

No experience with this steel. Edge retention? Toughness? Sharpening? I think Super Blue May be the closest thing I've tried. If it sharpens, and takes an edge, like SB, that would be a pro in my book.

[Pelagic]

Edge retention just below M4, toughness just above M4, sharpenability is VERY, VERY GOOD. Corrosion resistance is impressive too, considering. Almost a semi-stainless.

One of the most well-balanced steels in the industry.

[Catamount123]

Cool, I'm looking to get a Shaman sprint or exclusive, and Cruwear/micarta is the only one Sal has let slip so far.

[ferider]

CPM CruWear (there are data for both powder and ingot steels around, you have to look for the right ones).

Pretty much my favorite Spyderco steel by now. Only disadvantage is that it doesn't reach super high HRC compared to - say - Rex 45, Maxamet or ZDP. CW HRC should be above 61, though, AFAIK. It's easy to sharpen and edge retention is very close to CPM M4. Quite a bit tougher than CPM M4, similar to 3V actually. Except for the Tuff made of Unobtainium, CPM CruWear is the toughest steel Spyderco uses today. Well there is also a Mule in Micro Melt PD#1, which is pretty much the same as CPM Cruwear.

And as a bonus, more corrosion resistant than the other non stainless steels that I use (M4, 4V, Rex 45, Hap40, Maxamet). I have no experience with SB.

Roland.

[spyderg]

Cruwear is hands down my favourite steel. I’ve got a Manix2,(it was my first Spydie!) and a PM2 in Cruwear. Also an Enigma slipjoint in US2000 which is very similar. I find it easy to touch up and sharpen though it rarely needs it as it holds a great edge. In my experience it is not at all chippy and doesn’t roll. Here in Winnipeg we go from desert like dry to 100% humidity. -40 degrees Celsius to +40 Celsius, (I believe that’s -40 to 104 Fahrenheit?) and no corrosion issues however we do not have saltwater to contend with. On that note, my sweat rusts unpatina’d M4 in minutes but not Cruwear. I’ve got a Stretch in Superblue but can’t really compare the two as I don’t carry the Stretch much. (It’s on the chopping block right now. Considering thinning the herd). The closest steel to it that I’ve got is my Smock Knives SK23 in 3v, (can’t wait for the Spyderco Smock!)They behave very similar.

[steelcity16]

CPM Cruwear is also my favorite non-salt Spyderco steel. The only downside for me is that it is not as 100% waterproof as H1 or LC200N. Otherwise, it is perfectly well rounded for the majority of my needs when I dont absolutely need a salt-worthy steel. If every Spyderco model came in Cruwear, PE LC200N, and SE H1, id be broke. I really hope we see a resurgence in CPM-Cruwear exclusives and sprints this year and would love to see it become a production steel.

[p_atrick]

One of the most well-balanced steels in the industry.

I'm interested to see how Spyderco's BD1N compares. From what I have read it takes a keen edge and isn't terribly hard to sharpen. I've seen other makers run BD1N up to 63 HRC, so I assume that edge retention is good. It is also a relatively low alloy steel, which (I think) gives it good toughness. From my uninformed view, it seems like BD1N might be the steel for those who want a good balance (like CPM Cruwear) but want more corrosion resistance. Again, most of this is just speculation on my behalf. A stat sheet only tells you so much, but I am interested to see a comparison by somebody who is more knowledgeable than myself.

[Jazz]

I’d like a Cruwear Native, please.

[Dudemac333]

Love it. Eats through cardboard and holds an edge forever.

[dogrunner]

Edge retention just below M4, toughness just above M4, sharpenability is VERY, VERY GOOD. Corrosion resistance is impressive too, considering. Almost a semi-stainless.

One of the most well-balanced steels in the industry.

This sums it up well. My most carried and most used knife in the last few years is a Mili in cruwear.

[hambone56rx]

Cool, I'm looking to get a Shaman sprint or exclusive, and Cruwear/micarta is the only one Sal has let slip so far.

This will be a must buy for me!

[Sharp Guy]

I’d like a Cruwear Native, please.

Yep still waiting

[dodgie02]

Everything cruwear gets an automatic buy from me. Got 2 pm2
In it and a para 3. They hold up tremendously well in the field.
Sharpening is very easy. Even a novice and a sharpmaker can get this steel hairshaving sharp.

When I got my para 3 the detent was insane. I opened it by spydieflick and the whole knife flew 2 meters out of my hand haha. First time for everything I guess..
It fell on my stone pave way and there was only minor chipping! Nothing that setting my own bevel didn't fix right up and I'm 100% positive that taking the edge off and microbeveling it on a sharpmaker would have worked just fine as well.
I didn't know anything about it before I got it but I was extremely impressed with it. One of the best balanced steels I've come across the last 15 years without a doubt. Even when talking corrosion resistance instead of performance it holds up very very well for a tool steel (the English term escapes me)

[Pelagic]

Just touched up the cruwear pm2 BRIEFLY on a 1200 grit DMT stone, grabbing arm hairs without touching skin. It's truly a pleasure to sharpen.

[dodgie02]

Just touched up the cruwear pm2 BRIEFLY on a 1200 grit DMT stone, grabbing arm hairs without touching skin. It's truly a pleasure to sharpen.

Couldn't agree more! I find myself looking for reasons to sharpen my cruwear but it's hard to improve on hair popping sharpness and I don't want to waste the lifespan on my cruwear pm2s for nothing.
If there is in fact a shaman coming in cruwear I'll be all over that.

[Woodpuppy]

All the above is why I jumped on the para3 like a chicken on a June bug when KC ran them recently. I’ve not heard any negatives. Just reprofiled mine on cbn rods on the sharpmaker to get rid of some microbevel. Will finish sharpening when I get a chance... kids!

[elena86]

I never understood why Spyderco decided to use Maxamet and not CPM-Cruwear in regular production. Cruwear is a superb steel with almost perfect balance of properties. It sharpens like a dream, very good toughness and edge stability, more than decent corrosion resistance. My all time favorite.

[ferider]

A pic says more than thousand words .... compiled from crucible.com:



This is how much I like CPM Cru-Wear. My two favorite knives, sometimes carried together :)



Roland.

[curlyhairedboy]

this thread has me craving that Cruwear Shaman sprint!

[steelcity16]

I’d like a Cruwear Native, please.

Yes, this is one i've been asking for as well. Native and Native LW. Also would love a CQI'd Military. Hoping to see a few DLC CPM-Cruwear knives as well. Id love to see CPM-Cruwear become the M390/CTS-204P/20V of 2019!