Benchmade 940 D2 or 940 S30V?

T

Tekno_Cowboy

Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
32
I'm looking into getting a Benchmade 940, but I'm not sure whether I should go with the S30V blade or a limited edition D2 blade.

A few things to know about how I will be using the knife:
-I like as sharp an edge as I can get, and I like it to stay that way
-I will be using this knife for EDC, so it will be cutting anything from twine to boxes to steak to apples
-I pocket carry my knives, and I work a press brake, so I tend to get a bit sweaty
-I use an edge pro to put my desired angle on a blade, and then keep it up with a 2-sided strop that has diamond paste on one side and chromium oxide on the other
-While limited edition is cool, this will be a user knife

What does the community recommend?
 
I would go with the D2 only because I dont like how BM does their S30V. I also think D2 keeps a razor sharp edge longer than S30V even though S30V will keep a decent edge longer.
 
"-I pocket carry my knives, and I work a press brake, so I tend to get a bit sweaty"

If this is a big concern, I would go S30V over the D2.
 
D2 would be my choice, it holds an edge longer than S30V. In my experience it's been somewhat stain resistant, it will develop a slight patina over time if you do not clean the blade off.
 
I have both, and D2 does hold an edge better. I have had my LE 940/D2 for about 6 or 7 years, it's been carried regularly, and periodic touch-ups on the blade keep it wicked sharp. My 940/S30V needs more frequent attention to keep it as sharp.
 
The choice would depend a lot on whose knives we're talking about. Benchmade to Benchmade, I agree with kawr that Benchmade does a better job with D2 than with S30V.

kawr said:
I would go with the D2 only because I dont like how BM does their S30V. I also think D2 keeps a razor sharp edge longer than S30V even though S30V will keep a decent edge longer.
Click to expand...
 
Tekno_Cowboy said:
I actually like the look of a patina, as long as it doesn't get that "rusty" look.
Click to expand...

I don't think D2 steel actually gets that bad. I have a D2 Spyderco paramilitary that has a slight patina on it. It's gotten a little darker in the year or so that I've used it. I mean, it's not very noticeable but being my knife I kind of know it's there. ;)
You can get either steel extremely sharp with the right tools, but D2 really does seem to hold a super slicing edge for longer than S30V. Especially with an EdgePro, that thing will give you the sharpest edge you can imagine. I put a super scary sharp edge on a D2 - 710 knife and it is still incredibly sharp after 2 weeks of use.
imag1025.jpg

You can't go wrong with that knife, you will love it and be proud to use it. :thumbup:

EDIT: Oh and we will be needing some pictures when you do finally get it :D
 
Last edited:
In my limited experience with "patina" and D2, I have seen a difference between ingot D2 (Benchmade) and CPM-D2 (the Spyderco sprints). The CPM seems a little more corrosion ("patina") resistant and it seems to do so more unevenly (spotting vs. uniform coverage). YMMV.

RevDevil said:
I don't think D2 steel actually gets that bad. I have a D2 Spyderco paramilitary that has a slight patina on it. It's gotten a little darker in the year or so that I've used it. I mean, it's not very noticeable but being my knife I kind of know it's there. ;)
You can get either steel extremely sharp with the right tools, but D2 really does seem to hold a super slicing edge for longer than S30V. You can't go wrong with that knife, you will love it and be poud to use it. :thumbup:

EDIT: Oh and we will be needing some pictures when you do finally get it :D
Click to expand...
 
JNewell said:
In my limited experience with "patina" and D2, I have seen a difference between ingot D2 (Benchmade) and CPM-D2 (the Spyderco sprints). The CPM seems a little more corrosion ("patina") resistant and it seems to do so more unevenly (spotting vs. uniform coverage). YMMV.
Click to expand...

You are right, the CPM version does make things cleaner.
 
I actually have a Benchmade ares in S30V and I like it much better then my 710 in D2. I have the complete opposite experience. I sharpen them both to 18 degrees per side and mirror polish both of the blades and I find that S30V holds it's initial sharp edge longer then D2. The carbides are much finer in S30V and are less prone to chipping then D2. Here is a picture of the grain structures. You see the huge chunks of stuff in the D2, that gets ripped out when you go under about a 20 degree per side sharpening, causing chipping. And actually here a thread that will pretty much explain everything in full detail Link

D2

med_1181826854-D2.JPG



S30V
med_1181826860-S30V.JPG
 
Last edited:
I love my BM blades in D2. Takes a wicked edge and holds it well. Can't say anything about the CPM though, never had it. 940 is a fantastic knife. My favorite folder I've ever owned. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top