154CM or D2?

MicroAlign

MicroAlign

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Feb 1, 2004
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I've been deciding on which steel I want to get for a new Benchmade 140 Nimravus. I have a 140 in M2 which I like, but it tends to get a lot of rust spotting in the field. I've always been under the impression that D2 was a superior steel to 154CM in terms of edge retention, but after looking up the two steels on Crucible's website they actually give 154CM a higher edge retention rating at 60hrc. However, Benchmade seems hint that D2 is superior on their website. So, I'm confused. Which is the overall more superior steel when it comes to edge retention?

Also, does anyone have any experience with the BM 155? I'm looking for a defensive carry knife for my tactical vest that doubles as a good utility/survival knife. I've really liked my BM 140 overall, but I'm wondering if I might be missing out on something better with the longer BM 155. Thanks.
 
Well, 154CM is the easiest of the three to sharpen, and to attain that ultra-sharp, razor edge. Many will post that they can do that with D2 and I commend them - I cannot. S30V is easier to sharpen than D2, but not nearly as easy as 154CM.

As far as edge-holding ability, I think you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the three without controlled testing. Now, D2 you may be able to tell that it holds its edge (however sharp you can get it) better, but to tell between S30V and 154CM you need testing. What does this mean? To me it means that they're comparable to the average user (me).

I own knives in those 3 steels and I won't buy another D2 blade (unless maybe it's a Dozier - even then I'll have to invest in diamonds, practice, and luck to sharpen it to my satisfaction).
 
I'm coming to the opinion that D2 has become overated due to the performance the steel attains from a few makers (Dozier being one of the few). D2 has become quite the steel "dejour" of late.

I've had issues (lack of superior edge holding and/or not being able to get the edge I like easily enough) with a few D2 knives from various makers.

Benchmade does 154cm well and I've had no complaints with my knives from them that use the steel. Note that I am talking about 154cm and not ats34.

I suspect the issue is the rusting of the M2 that is the motivator here, yes? Have you tried a Militec or similar treatment? I've had no rust issues with any of my M2 knives so treated and then wiped with oil (though that may be too much for long term field use). Still, worth a try.
 
I prefer 154cm for the same reasons (easier to sharpen) plus its a little less brittle and a little more stainless
 
sorry i can't help you, but maybe you can help me.

you say you have a Nim in M2. other than the rusting, how's the M2. i ask cause that's the one i picked.

my 710 in ATS-34 is impossible to get the edge i want on it. how does the M2 take and hold it's edge?

thanx, man :-)
 
zignal_zero said:
sorry i can't help you, but maybe you can help me.

you say you have a Nim in M2. other than the rusting, how's the M2. i ask cause that's the one i picked.

my 710 in ATS-34 is impossible to get the edge i want on it. how does the M2 take and hold it's edge?

thanx, man :-)
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That's odd. I have a BM Ascent in ATS-34 and it takes and holds a tremendous edge. Holds it better than my 154CM Mini-Grip. I'm somewhat disappointed in the performance of the 154CM.
 
MicroAlign said:
Also, does anyone have any experience with the BM 155?
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not using it, but got to fondle one for the first time, 2 days ago. have you actually held this knife, in person, yet?

unfortunately, i cannot justify another large knife purchase. my next blade HAS to be a concealment piece. it was VERY HARD to hand the Presidio back to the vendor.

the aluminum scales make it feel heavy handled and light bladed. which, for me, equated to secure grip and nimble handling. it felt MUCH more managable than most knives this size.

if you already have the Nim, and don't have to conceal your field knife, you should lean towards scoring the Presidio and looking into re-finishing the Nim (imo) that knife is slicker than dog snot
 
zignal_zero said:
sorry i can't help you, but maybe you can help me.

you say you have a Nim in M2. other than the rusting, how's the M2. i ask cause that's the one i picked.

my 710 in ATS-34 is impossible to get the edge i want on it. how does the M2 take and hold it's edge?

thanx, man :-)
Click to expand...

I've been carrying my 140 in M2 for a couple of years now. The M2 holds an edge a little better than my BM S30V folders which I've found to be pretty impressive. Resharpening is the hard part if you aren't using diamond stones. I use a DMT double sided stone in the field and it doesn't take all that much work to get it to efficiently shave arm hair. I use the knife for everything from cutting open boxes, seat belts, parachute cord, wiring, cutting up my meals, or scraping wood for kindling. I think it's a great steel for smaller knives if you don't mind the lack of rust resistance and difficulty in resharpening. I'm wanting a stainless because I don't like getting protectant chemicals in my food, and if I'm out in the field for a while it's a lot more convienient for maintenance.
 
Microalign stated
I've always been under the impression that D2 was a superior steel to 154CM in terms of edge retention, but after looking up the two steels on Crucible's website they actually give 154CM a higher edge retention rating at 60hrc.
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Are you sure you were looking at the comparison of 154cm, and not the better CPM154cm, which is a CPMization of 154cm. It is better than plain 154cm, no contest.

Personally, I have the 140 in M2 and think it's the best of the lot and wouldn't switch for any reason. Joe
 
What makes this all the more maddening is that Heat treat is such a tremendous factor.

It is a mistake to think that you're automatically getting 100% of the performance potential from every piece of 154 or S30V or D2 from a bunch of different makers, or that the "60 HRC" production knife you just bought is definitely 60 HRC and not, say ... 56.
Getting the most out of some of these materials takes some care and sometimes specialized experience, and I KNOW some of these materials are not getting the attention they deserve sometimes.
 
JCaswell said:
What makes this all the more maddening is that Heat treat is such a tremendous factor.

It is a mistake to think that you're automatically getting 100% of the performance potential from every piece of 154 or S30V or D2 from a bunch of different makers, or that the "60 HRC" production knife you just bought is definitely 60 HRC and not, say ... 56.
Getting the most out of some of these materials takes some care and sometimes specialized experience, and I KNOW some of these materials are not getting the attention they deserve sometimes.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. I feel that Benchmade does the 154 the best. 99% of the discussion is subjective.
 
I'll take D2.

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In my experience 154CM is easier to sharpen to a fine edge. D2 will take a little longer and it seems to me to work better if the edge is not as polished as 154CM. D2 seems to work better with a somewhat less polished edge. I like both steels. Which steel will hold an edge longer I have no idea, it all depends on heat treat, how it was sharpened, what it was cutting and so on.
 
I will say what many others have already said I think that Benchmade does a great job with their 154CM. I have a Griptillian with it and I cannot believe what this steel can handle. I have had this blade for about a year and a half and have beat the hell out of it. I have never had it to fail me yet and that includes batoning it through a lot of wood.
 
I have both 154 and D2 from BM. I will say this, the 154 sharpens quicker and to a finer edge. I can get D2 to a fine shaving edge, but it takes about 20 to 25 additional strokes on the sharp-maker to do it. Not that much more work, and I have not had to use diamond stones to do it. D2 will hold an edge longer, but 154 will come back quicker. My Nim in 154 and a mini grip in D2. I also have a mini grip in 154cm. If this is actually a knife you intend to use in primarily dry environs to carve and cut dry materials the D2 will do the trick. If you plan otherwise I would go with 154. I have found cutting dry cardboard, D2 wins in the edge retention battle. Cutting Wet Cardboard, the D2 dulls quicker, if only slightly.
 
I have 440C, 154CM, S30V, M2 and D2, all from BM (well, maybe my views are a little limited to just one company:D)

It is somehow easier for me, to choose M2 over S30V, just because of little things had happend to me with that single blade i know, but it´s hard to me to choose between the 154CM ./. D2 option.

Well, M2, to me, offers the best combination of all BM offers (great durable edge, stays sharp for long) and i never had any rust problems with it nor with other "rusting" blades.

Surely 154CM takes a very nice edge, holds it for long and is easy to maintain. But it was the D2 blade i dared to cut into the mud with and expected it to cut afterwards and it did.

The Nim is no prybar and the steel grades are not the first choice for this, that being said. For me, D2 offers more strength at the edge for hard use but i am pleased with the 154 CM performance too. All got better after some convex sharpening.

If i had the Nim in M2 (and i have:)) i wouldn´t look for another one. If rust is a problem, i would spend a little money on "Flitz", that can be put on food knives and is easy to take with you, if needed.

It even helps keeping stainless blades shining bright, so it never is lost money, if it not works, like you wnated it to.:D
 
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