RWL 34 is the Swedish version of CMP154 (not 154CM). It is a particle steel and is very good and very expensive. From another thread on another forum. It's selling points are the same as CMP154, very fine grain, great edge, tough stainless, etc. It is not sold as a super tough steel to compete with A2, Infi, 5160, etc. It is at the top end of stainless steels for overall "quaility". And priced so. It's claim to fame is to "one up" S30V. This information is based on other threads and so may or may not be complete.
Ron Athay
I honestly don't know anything about RWL34 other than it is a powdered steel.
I won't assume that it being a powdered steel makes it like other powdered steels anymore than all forged steels are the same or etc.
Just because S30V is more brittle than 5160 doesn't mean RWL34 is also similarly brittle. ....doesn't mean S30V is a bad steel either. I actually like S30V for smaller bladed knives..... knives I don't pry or hack with!
* Don't forget the Rat Trap is made with S30V.
However, if RWL34's "claim to fame is to "one up" S30V" and it is similar to CMP154, it may be one up on them, but apparently at MANY times the cost..... or Bear Gryll's name etched on the blade is carrying a few hundred dollar premium (????)
Sounds like RWL34 is probably a good knife steel. You just have to match certain knife steels and their given properties to a certain size knife with certain intended uses.
Keep in mind Bear Gryll's knife is only a 4" blade. So edge retention starts to be more relevant than toughness assuming a "reasonable" amount of toughness is maintained.
There are advantages to stainless. If you can get a stainless knife to hold a great edge AND be reasonably tough, it has plenty of merit......
..... just not nearly $720 worth of merit!
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