Benchmade 940 D2 or 940 S30V?

Got my 940 in D2 :) ( number 65/240 limited edition )

One thing I'm not too impressed with is the rather blunt stock edge. While it came sharp, the grit looked like it was under 200, and the angle looks to be about 25-30 degrees per side. I'm thinking i need to bring the angle down a bit. What angle is recommended for this blade?
 
Tekno_Cowboy said:
Got my 940 in D2 :) ( number 65/240 limited edition )

One thing I'm not too impressed with is the rather blunt stock edge. While it came sharp, the grit looked like it was under 200, and the angle looks to be about 25-30 degrees per side. I'm thinking i need to bring the angle down a bit. What angle is recommended for this blade?
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Congrats. Unfortunately when it comes to Benchmade, that is a drawback to a high percentage of their knives. I'd recommend a 30 degree angle (15 per side).
 
revdevil great polished edge. you know how to use the edge pro. of the factory offerings i have found b.m.s d2 to cut up fairly close to zdp.
dennis
 
DennisStrickland said:
revdevil great polished edge. you know how to use the edge pro. of the factory offerings i have found b.m.s d2 to cut up fairly close to zdp.
dennis
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Thanks Dennis for the compliment:). I did decide to take the plunge with the Edge Pro. I think I over did the bevel on my 710, but it's still sharp as can be.
 
Stock edge was even worse than I thought! Even my 100 grit Ruby stone left a finer scratch pattern than the stock edge, and the angles were worse than I had thought. I measured them out and one side was 35 degrees and the other was 27!

I wound up using my Edge Pro Apex to put about a 16-17 degree angle on the edge. Boride Ruby 100-grit stone for the reprofile, CS-HD for 120 and 220 grit, AS-9 for 400, 600, 1000, and 1200 grit (leaves a very polished finish on the D2), and finished up to an almost tree-topping edge with a 2-sided strop. (side 1 has 6 micrometer boride diamond paste, side 2 has 1 micrometer paste)

I've only carried it 2 days, but already I've dropped it on concrete and took much of the clip paint off. It's an EDC user knife for me, so it's not really an issue, but if I ever want it looking it's best, I'll just Cerakote the handle and clip :D

Thanks everyone for your help!
 
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I'm a sweaty guy especially in the summer. I prefer the S30V blade over the D-2. I also like the 943 blade shape better than the 940 shape because the point is sharper.
 
After reading up on D2 some, I figured out that sweat will probably not be an issue, as my knife gets washed/stropped at least once a week, and washed any time I cut food with it.

I went with the 940 because I like the reverse tanto that gets me a nice straight main cutting edge. The blade shape makes for some very pleasant use, with a very "natural" feeling when using it.
 
revdevil i had ankerson do the mirror bevel on my b.m. m390. i'm a little new to my edge pro to try that angle. however i have a 10 or 12 year b.m.710 d2 that i would'nt mind starting on. what edge pro angle did you use on your 710? thanks
dennis
 
Hi Dennis - I used the yellow 21 degree line (just a hair above it). It took a while as the steel on my 710 (an older one as well) is extremely hard. I started with the 120 and went through all the hones. I messed up and had to redo one side.
I didn't think it would be so acute, but it came out that way and I cannot do anythign about it now. :) The mirror edge is easy, just watch the videos and listen to Ben Dale - he has the perfect technique. Good Luck and nice score Tekno.
 
I've had my 940 for almost 2 years now, and it's really holding up well. The D2 was really the right choice for me. It's a little time-consuming to put a good edge on, but it holds a very usable (what most "normal" people still consider scary sharp) edge for 2-3 months of regular use. I've taken to just touching it up now and then with Boride T2 stones. They leave a really beautiful finish on hardened stainless/semi-stainless.

Oh, and I field dressed a pair of antelope with it last year in Wyoming since I forgot my Bark River knife. It worked surprisingly well :D
 
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A very timely resurrection, Ive been considering EDCing a 940 in d2 and this thread addressed most of my concerns about the steel and its long term use. Just wanted to ask the OP if they had any issues with chipping ????
 
thaeffman said:
A very timely resurrection, Ive been considering EDCing a 940 in d2 and this thread addressed most of my concerns about the steel and its long term use. Just wanted to ask the OP if they had any issues with chipping ????
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I've had no issues with chipping :thumbup:
 
I'd suggest picking up the 940 in S30V for three reasons:

(1) Beatability - The 940 is such a well designed knife that I use it on a daily basis for everything from opening mail to light batoning; I'm hesitant to purchase a 940 and use it as anything more than a safe queen because the knife is so versatile that it will be exposed to abuse. The S30V model has been the standard for years now, and knowing that if my blade ever breaks, I can simply put it in an envelop with $25 dollars, and get a brand new S30V blade provides me with a sense of relief;

(2) Ease of Sharpening - Quite frankly, Benchmade's D2 is a pain in the ass to sharpen on most systems when compared to their S30V. The S30V takes on just as good as an edge, but with about 1/2 of the effort. In all honesty, I don't recognize any edge retention qualities between S30V and D2. My 710 in D2 holds a similar edge for just about as long.

(3) Less Cost
 
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