Kershaw Anyone have experience with their D2?

Being that it is one of their Chinese made knives, I'm assuming it is Chinese sourced D2. I've heard not so great reviews of other companies Chinese D2, so I wonder.

Probably better or at least on par with the 8cr previously used.
 
The D2 in my 10 year old Kershaw Leek (composite blade) has been outstanding and a complete pain in the butt to sharpen. But once it gets sharp it stays sharp for a long time. I can live with that.
 
DB_Cruiser said:
The D2 in my 10 year old Kershaw Leek (composite blade) has been outstanding and a complete pain in the butt to sharpen. But once it gets sharp it stays sharp for a long time. I can live with that.
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That should be CPM-D2 and being composite Kershaw could have ran the hardness a little higher. Think of it like super optimized D2.

Kershaw D2 is pretty adequate D2, pretty on par with most of your Chinese manufacturers (but worst than Civivi, just because they grind real thin) and should give noticeable improvement over 8Cr in everything but corrosion resistance and possibly little too no improvement in toughness.
 
I've got a composite Kershaw Leek and in my experience edge retention and durability have been excellent. If I let it get too out of shape between sharpenings it does definitely take some extra time to sort out- but it can go quite a long time between touch ups compared to my other knives.
 
D2 keeps a working edge for a while, but it also takes a long time to sharpen.
So I prefer it over Tru Sharp, but a lot of other steels give me better return for my effort in sharpening.
 
I also have a Kershaw/Emerson, a CQC-4KXL D2, but I've only had it since Thursday, so I really don't know, THE most serious use I've put it to is to open a bag of Doritos! though I have touched it with my medium bench stone, but that's because I prefer a "toothy edge" as it works better than most things I'm called on to cut. but I also just this moment ordered a Kershaw "Cryo" #1555G10-D2 (Blade HQ exclusive). I had two #1555TI "Cryo" already, but wanted one in the upgraded steel and the G10 scale, as the Emerson CQC4KXL is a bit big for EDC.
 
Is this just for Kershaw or any D2? I have 2 benchmade grips. One mini grip I have had for years and it's a great knife and a large I just picked up on a trade. Once you get them on a edge pro, kme, or WE and get them right the D2 is one of the best " budget " steal you can buy. Imho. Brous blades made in the usa also has D2 and stays sharp.
 
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dkb45 said:
That should be CPM-D2 and being composite Kershaw could have ran the hardness a little higher. Think of it like super optimized D2.
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No the composite blades are regular D2 on the edge brazed to the rest of the blade. The rest of the blade being made from steel such a 13C26 or 14C28N. It's the use of two different alloys brazed together that they call "composite".
https://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/leek-composite-blade
 
I have a kabar d2 extreme fixed blade ive used in the woods for 3 years , its very tough, it cuts great,and holds an edge.I hacked a few small stumps away in my trail for atvs/walking,chopped them to below ground level with not too much effort,as well as chopping branches that are overgrowning into the trail.
 
knarfeng said:
No the composite blades are regular D2 on the edge brazed to the rest of the blade. The rest of the blade being made from steel such a 13C26 or 14C28N. It's the use of two different alloys brazed together that they call "composite".
https://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/leek-composite-blade
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They used CPM-D2 in the early runs, I'm not sure of when the switch to ingot D2 occurred. I have both a Leek and a JYD2 both marked "CPM-D2" on the composite section.
 
Yalius said:
They used CPM-D2 in the early runs, I'm not sure of when the switch to ingot D2 occurred. I have both a Leek and a JYD2 both marked "CPM-D2" on the composite section.
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Can you tell me were they stated that at. I would like to track down one but I want to make sure I get that exact run please and thank you.
 
I have the copper mini Natrix and it’s performed well for me. I haven’t used it hard, but normal cardboard, paper, food prep stuff. I haven’t needed to resharpen it yet.
 
South paw draw said:
Can you tell me were they stated that at. I would like to track down one but I want to make sure I get that exact run please and thank you.
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I couldn't say for sure. I got the Leek in 2012, and the JYD II in 2014. The Leek is a 1660CB with CPM-D2 etched near the base of the blade, and the JYDII is a 1725CBBLK with CPMD2 labeling. The JYD was a special run exclusive to Kershawguy, I believe, but the Leek was the standard 1660CB at the time. Knifecenter still says their Leek is CPM-D2 in the product description, but I would probably call and confirm as I haven't seen one recently.
 
Yalius said:
I couldn't say for sure. I got the Leek in 2012, and the JYD II in 2014. The Leek is a 1660CB with CPM-D2 etched near the base of the blade, and the JYDII is a 1725CBBLK with CPMD2 labeling. The JYD was a special run exclusive to Kershawguy, I believe, but the Leek was the standard 1660CB at the time. Knifecenter still says their Leek is CPM-D2 in the product description, but I would probably call and confirm as I haven't seen one recently.
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Thanks. I'll definitely look into that . Cpm D2 is something I would definitely like to go a go at. And the leek is small enough to use as a drop in the pocket gentleman's carry.
 
Love cpm-d2... especially when heat treated right (like Dozier does). My concern is that the description just says D2 Tool Steel... which is a different beast if not the CPM version...
 
I have a Kershaw Natrix also in D2. I was pleasantly surprised at its ability to get sharp... its 'keeness of edge'. Not a heavy user, but edge retention is defintiely better than aus-8 or cr8. No microchipping on the edge....yet.
 
D2 seems pretty variable. I've only had Chinese D2 but I've had it from a few different companies now. Considering knives I've used at price ranges where D2 is directly competing with 8Cr13Mov, such as Kubey or Ganzo, then it's definitely an upgrade. Of course, Kershaw isn't just replacing 8Cr13Mov with D2. They're charging a premium for it.

I'd be curious to see Kershaw's D2 tested, both against similarly priced D2 knives from Civivi and Bestech, and against more affordable competitors like the Ganzo Firebird line.
 
I’ve used a gerber D2 survival knife for the worst possible tasks for a few years. I don’t like it. I hit it with a hammer to make kindling. The problem is me and the design, not the steel - it’s too heavy to carry in any situation, so I made it a beater. Going ok, but not a knife I would carry. Dunno why I bought it.

no experience with better knives made with d2, I think....
 
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