Benchmade D2 Blade stans

N

nevertoomany

Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
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This is essentially a cross-post from the BM board. I just bought a Benchmade 710D2 Axis Lock (McHenry & Williams design). Have the M2 version and wanted another. The knife came out of the box with what look like water spots on the blade. Others report the same problem. I don't want to try to clean them off unless I'm pretty sure that'll work because otherwise I'm going to return the knife and wait until the blades start coming through clean.

Any questions, ideas, etc.
 
Water spots - hmmm.

So, has anyone used any polishes to remove them? Are they rust, or a mild discoloration?

I'm wonderin' as many state they want non-coated blades. BM delivers - but with the occasional discoloration. An anoyance or a serious problem?

I'd like to hear from some of the metal knowledgeable on this one.

Me, I'd use it as long as this is not an indication of a heat treat issue or some such material deficiency.
 
I believe they are seeing some mild staining, which I am not sure was factory induced. I bought mine directly from Bm and it does not have the stains. I wonder if it is the storage conditions at the dealer that is causing this, or a small batch that escaped. The issue just came up and they have been out for a few months. Steven
 
Could be people with "acidic fingers," as I've seen.

But if it's a trend, I'd like to see the cause found as I will probably get one of the new D2 knives myself eventually.
 
NTM -

I see my Benchmade Buddy is still searching for the answer to his "corrosion" (I mean "staining") problem.

If it were me, I would send it back to Benchmade for new clear blade if I were not happy and if Benchmade will swap out the blade. Then I'd hit it with some Breakfree CLP and keep it wrapped in a silicon impregnated cloth to avoid any corrosive staining.

Here is some info from a welding manual about corrosion (rusting) of D2 steels that might be of assistance.

"Extremely high carbon die steel. The steel here is D2. D2 is an old steel, originally used for dies to press and stamp and cut out other metals, and is also used in ball bearings as the load surface. It can be made to be one of the hardest, toughest, most wear resistant tool steel blades, period. It has so much carbon and enough chromium that in the crystalline structure of the steel, in addition to iron carbides forming, forms additional chromium carbides, creating a structure of extremely hard particles, leading to very high wear resistance. This wear resistance is so hard that the knife cannot usually be field sharpened, which may be a drawback. The steel is also not a true stainless, only stain resistant as it usually has only 12% chromium. So blood, tissue, acidic fluids will corrode and stain this metal. The crystalline structure is also apparent in a high polish, and the surface displays an "orange peel" type of pattern, which some consider attractive. It is also expensive."

Here is a link to steel info for knife makers. It is techy but has some good info and interesting comparisions.

http://www.ajh-knives.com/metals.html


If you like very high polished knives the best I have ever seen with mirror like finishes are those of ATS34/154CM (same steel
different name). Here is a nice example of a highly polished blade. Price is a bit steep though!

http://www.rehobothcustomknives.com/KBLV000C.htm



Or here is one knife that you will positively love, IMHO. It will never ever ever rust, corrode, or stain.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=128


Discoloration on a D2, or A2 steel blade wouldn't bother me at all since this steel is not expected to be "stainless".



Good luck! Have a great day!
 
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