A2 Steel or D2?

C

charlesbjr

Joined
Mar 8, 2006
Messages
448
I am looking for a general purpose hunting/camping knife (not a chopper) and am trying to decide between A2 steel or D2.

Which do you like better and why.......

Thanks!!
 
On the plus side, D2 is nearly stainless. And from someone like Dozier, it's awesome steel. There is also the CPM D2 powder steel that looks good.

If you buy from a quality maker, the knife's design will be more important than A2 v D2.
 
I like them both but lean toward D2. When its sharp it satys that way for a long time. Not all that tough to sharpen.
 
If it's in a fixed blade, I think I'd go for A2, but on a folder, I believe D2 would be better. D2 has more stain resistence that can come in handy on a folder.

I think the key to D2 (& S30V, for that matter), is periodic "tune-ups" so as not to let them get too dull.
 
:D
Either a Dozier D2 or a Bark River A2!
The D2 is more stainless and the Dozier knives are brilliant.
Greg
 
A-2. But I liked what Greg said. I repeat> A-2. My Leu and Hartsfields are my Sharpest knives and they are both A-2 tool steel.
Lycosa
 
I have a D2 Tak-1 and no problems or issues and when it feels like it is getting dull I sharpen it and I don't beleive it is all that hard to re-sharpen as long as you touch it up here and there and not letting it get dull as a butter knife before trying to resharpen...
 
Either are fine -- I just have a great respect for Bob Dozier and his way of heat-treating his products. I've used his fixed blade knives for years, and they have never let me down. They sharpen to true scary once you work the primary bevel to a better angle. Other D2 steels, well, I can't comment on those but I doubt they would equal Bob's...
 
Both are great steels, and I have knives I love in both. But in my experience, D-2 stands head and shoulders above A-2. :thumbup:

Sure, it's a little more work to sharpen, but OTOH, you don't neeed to bring a stone with you when you go into the field. Both take a scary sharp edge, but D-2 holds it much better! :)
 
For me it would depend upon the size of the knife. Five inch blade and below I'd probably go ahead and take D2. Over five inches I would want A2. Both steels are excellent with proper heat treat and geometry. For camping or hunting either steel would deal well.
 
Are you really going to use it for hunting or is that just an expression? If you hunt do you hunt heavy game like elk or lighter game? If you use your knife to cut through heavy bone I would go for A2. A2 is tougher and takes a finer edge. D2 will hold a good-slicing rough edge for a very long time. If you are mostly cutting meat, tendon, and hide the D2 will keep cutting longer.
 
JNieporte said:
I prefer the A-2 to D2 any day.
Click to expand...

Just curious. May I ask why? :confused:

I have several top quality knives in both steels. Bark River, Spyderco, Dozier and Benchmade. I really like A-2 a lot, but in my personal experience, D-2 far out performs it in every area except "toughness."

Like I said, just curious if your experiences with the two steels are different from mine. :)
 
Put me down for A2--Much easier to sharpen, Nice patina without rust. Takes and holds a wicked edge.

Plus, my favorite knife company uses it all the time...Bark River.
 
Ben Dover said:
Just curious. May I ask why? :confused:

I have several top quality knives in both steels. Bark River, Spyderco, Dozier and Benchmade. I really like A-2 a lot, but in my personal experience, D-2 far out performs it in every area except "toughness."

Like I said, just curious if your experiences with the two steels are different from mine. :)
Click to expand...

It's easier for me to resharpen, and doesn't corrode (rust) as much.
 
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