02-10-2018, 10:44 AM
Well, you're asking big questions, which is fine, it just takes a lot of answering. I'm starting out as "generally speaking".
If you compare apples to apples, CPM M4 is a third generation Carbon Powdered steel. If you compare it to 3rd generation stainless, you will see that carbon steel is still superior for sharpening and cutting. M4 still has the drawback of rusting easily though.
If you are comparing certain high carbon, high vanadium, stainless steels, such as S90V and the like, they are almost prohibitively hard to sharpen, but they hold an edge close to M4.
There are still many comparisons to be made. If you are trying to compare S35VN (a highly regarded 3rd generation) to high carbon tool steel, I am well qualified to give you real life experience.
The biggest difference is the difficulty in sharpening. Edge holding is similar.
If you compare apples to apples, CPM M4 is a third generation Carbon Powdered steel. If you compare it to 3rd generation stainless, you will see that carbon steel is still superior for sharpening and cutting. M4 still has the drawback of rusting easily though.
If you are comparing certain high carbon, high vanadium, stainless steels, such as S90V and the like, they are almost prohibitively hard to sharpen, but they hold an edge close to M4.
There are still many comparisons to be made. If you are trying to compare S35VN (a highly regarded 3rd generation) to high carbon tool steel, I am well qualified to give you real life experience.
The biggest difference is the difficulty in sharpening. Edge holding is similar.