1095 or D2 for the guys who make them...

Fletcher Knives

Fletcher Knives

STEEL BREATHING BLADE MAESTRO
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Aug 30, 2007
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Jeff and Mike, you guys are where the knives originated. Which blade material do you prefer and why between the 1095 and D2? Or was the introduction of the 1095 Ontario's idea. I was just curious. I know there are a ton of people out there who prefer one over the other. Wanted to know which way you guys lean. I personally think I like the D2 more. I like the edge life.
 
I love D2 but use 1095 more. 1095 is just so easy to re-touch the edge and when it's properly heat treated it's an awesome steel. The ONLY problem I find with 1095 is it requires some type of blade coating to keep rust at bay. In the future we will probably offer the RC line in a "premium" grade steel that does not need a coating...so we can finish with a polish, but 1095 will always be our mainstay in our field knives. Now, before anyone starts asking what, when and where, right now it's just in our minds to do and not going to production ASAP.

In the Ontario line we did the 1095 for military purposes and retail pricing purposes.
 
Excelent. Thanks bro. I can't wait to get my hands on the RC-4, necker, and a new RC-6.
 
Do you think that 1095 would take a daily pounding better that D2? I am thinking about the hardness toughness difference between the two.

I dug a hole with my RAT 7 (not the intended use) I heard a few pops while digging, I looked at the knife and found that I hit a few small stones. The blade was unharmed. I also did some wood chopping afterwards. The knife maintained a good edge and held up well.

Do you think that D2 would take that type of pounding?

I look at D2 as corrosion resistant, and holds an edge longer.

Tom
Chestnut Ridge Knife shop
 
I have used the RAT 3 extensively in both steels and I prefer 1095 because of the ease of resharpening. It also seems to chip less than D2.
 
I use my 1095 Rat3 more than my D2 rat3 because it is easier to maintain +this prone to chip D2 has me alittle concerned,I do not want to be out in the field whether bush or car camping and the D2 fail me,I always have a 2nd blade(fixed) on any trip . my tak1 D2 has served well on camp duties ,i do own a rat3 D2 factory second...that I am timid about using hard....about the RAt3 D2 factory second,the only thing I can see about it being different is no logo and a small R burned into the r/h micarta. other than that ,it is razor sharp, the grind looks to be even & no metal defects,I guess this knife will be a throw away if it ever fails being I bought a factory second and no warranty was implied due to it being a 2nd. but I use it never the less . has yet to fail since owning it 3 years now...
 
R.A.T. said:
I love D2 but use 1095 more. 1095 is just so easy to re-touch the edge and when it's properly heat treated it's an awesome steel. The ONLY problem I find with 1095 is it requires some type of blade coating to keep rust at bay. In the future we will probably offer the RC line in a "premium" grade steel that does not need a coating...so we can finish with a polish, but 1095 will always be our mainstay in our field knives. Now, before anyone starts asking what, when and where, right now it's just in our minds to do and not going to production ASAP.

In the Ontario line we did the 1095 for military purposes and retail pricing purposes.
Click to expand...

Jeff, is the idea of using a "premium" grade steel still in your minds?
 
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