quote:

Originally posted by Traveller:
Great and yes, an important followup review, thanks

Makes me feel better about my M4 blade as I don't have the experience (nor tools) to sharpen knives myself so I have to "outsource" it...

p.s. M4 is not a stainless steel, correct?

Correct ..... non stainless , thats why BM coats theres.

However ..... on another note , spyderco uses M-4 and they dont coat theres , a little maintenance is needed to keep them nice ..... they can and do get a Patina on them fast if not maintained.
On a correction note ....BM will I believe release one knife that is not coated ....the 171 chopper (I think)

quote:

Originally posted by dj:
However ..... on another note , spyderco uses M-4 and they dont coat theres , a little maintenance is needed to keep them nice ..... they can and do get a Patina on them fast if not maintained.
On a correction note ....BM will I believe release one knife that is not coated ....the 171 chopper (I think)

BM also made the 210-83 Activator uncoated! 210-83

quote:

Originally posted by dj:
...non stainless , thats why BM coats theirs.

Thx! What kind of "maintenance" is suggested for the non-coated areas (well, the edge)?

Sorry for the noob question, I'm still learning the ropes...

Unless you're in a high humidity/salty environment not much to do about the edge.

Products like Sentry solutions' Tuff-cloth or Renaissance Wax works to keep the blade clean and protected, but mostly if you wipe the blade dry between uses it should stay rust free.

As an alternative to chemical protectants, plain old mineral oil will work also and be less of an issue if the knife's used for food prep.

.[/QUOTE]Thx! What kind of "maintenance" is suggested for the non-coated areas (well, the edge)?[QUOTE]

Just use it, that'll keep it rust free!

CPM M4 has been my favorite steel since I first tried it when I got my Krein custom Ultimate Caper in M4 at 63 RC. I was amazed at how easily it got sharper than any other steel I've ever had and is right up there with ZDP-189 in edge retention. Since I have bought 3 Spydercos in M4 (Mule, Bradley, and the G-10/Ti Millie) and 2 Benchmades in M4 (Rift and Lum tanto). The steel just performs great, and wiping it down after use and putting Tuf Glide on it keeps even the uncoated blades looking good. I must say though that I wish Benchmade ran M4 harder like Spyderco does (my Mule tested at 63RC, and reports show the Bradleys at 64-65 RC and the Millies over 63 RC). The Benchmade M4 performs great, but just seems a tad softer than my other M4 knives, and my Rift just doesn't hold an edge quite as good as the others (though I would think it is really tough). I am sending off my latest knives in M4 for testing so I'll report back on if my impressions turn out to be true with the hardness of the different knives. Either way even though my Rift may not be ran as hard as my other knives in M4 it is still very impressive in edge retention and ease of sharpening, and only the knifenut in me is making me want to get it rehardened to 64 RC or so. CPM M4 is a great steel, definately my favorite, even better than S90V for me. Sure S90V is stainless and slices forever between sharpenings (I have 2 Manix 2's in that steel, one tested out at around 59 RC), but M4 gets way sharper much faster and easier and when it is ran at 63 RC plus it is pretty close to S90V in edge retention. It is nice to see that more and more knives are coming out in M4, including some regular production items and not just the small limited edition knives. If more people would just accept the fact you need to do a few little things like oiling the blade occasionally and wiping it down after use more excellent carbon steels like CPM M4, 3V, and Super Blue could start making their way into folders.

Mike

Agree on all counts.
Plus a few more examples not mentioned.
It all in the Heat treat.
I have some 154cm that will blow your mind.....

All in all - S90v, ZDP & M4 are what I am buying.
M390 too, but too soon to tell for me.......

Great Review Drew! I got to use this very knife a number of times, and was very impressed!

I am a fan of M4. and have been using my 710-801 similarly to Drew. I have only had it for about the last 3-4 months. Still working with the factory edge.
I cut card Board and an occasional sample of carpet of a stock roll for someone. but it is holding up great.
Glad to see someone else who is a
"Use'm if you got'em " kinda guy.

I do make a few passes on a 1000 grit ceramic rod that came with my Edge Pro APEX from time to time.just to maintain it.

Like every one Drew, very impressive review/ update.