Benchmade Steels on their Grip and Mini Grip Custom page

SPXTrader

SPXTrader

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Does anyone have any experience with ordering off the Customization page of their site? I'm curious as to how their D2 and S30V perform. I'm really interested in learning a little more about their D2. Any idea of the Rc numbers on these? Any thoughts on their performance longer term? Thanks in advance!
 
I know their S30V is very outstanding. The plain 154CM is very nice as well. As for the D2, Benchmades D2 is up there on the RC scale. They have a chart on their website, I believe. Either steel you pick, you probably aren't going to notice an HUGE difference in performance. Sharpening is another story. haha. I'll try and find the chart for you, man!
 
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I can't speak to BM's D2, but I have a 940 that uses their S30V, and it's simply a joy to use. Great edge retention, and takes a shaving edge with minimal effort. After setting my initial edge, I've maintained it with just a leather strop and bark river compounds for the last year.

HRC is listed at 58-60.
 
Thanks for the chart. And yes, while I have trouble telling the difference between slicing using most popular steels, sharpening is yet another story. I much prefer 154cm and S30V over D2 (which is great steel) but can be a bear to sharpen with those large carbides in the mix. In my world D2 = LifeSharp...:)
 
I've used their D2 on a mini-Grip and S30V on a Ritter mini-Grip. They both seemed about the same to me (took a great edge and held them about the same). I didn't do any controlled testing or anything. Just my observations after EDC'ing them for a while. Both hold a sharper edge longer than the standard 154CM from my experience on a mini-Barrage, mini-Grip, and large Grip. Again, no specific controlled testing, so I can't say which cut more/less of what materials in between re-sharpenings.

I typically don't sharpen my D2 to anything finer than 600 grit though (vs. S30V and 154CM, which I will take to 1200 or 4000 grit). For some reason, when I go higher than 600 on the D2, it starts to lose some of its bite. I'll fault that to my sharpening skills (not the steel itself), but even at 600, it will easily push-cut newspaper as well as the blades in other steels (my typical test for when it's "sharp enough").
 
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TheKallumS, thanks for the chart. And thanks to everyone else for the replies.

I think I'm going to give their D2 a whirl, as sharpening isn't a problem.
 
SPXTrader said:
TheKallumS, thanks for the chart. And thanks to everyone else for the replies.

I think I'm going to give their D2 a whirl, as sharpening isn't a problem.
Click to expand...

No problem, man. Either steel you go with, it's damn Benchmade! hahaha!
 
In my experience I would order the steels as such:
M390
M4
S30V
D2
154
440

M390 and M4 nearly equal.
Remember this is for Benchmade's steel/heat treat and my use.
 
This is the first one I've had in S30V. So far, so good. But in all honesty I was perrty impressed with the 440C on an early mini grip, even though it isn't an option, and the 154CM too.

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Fom what I've seen in my own use, the D2 is solid. The 710, 275, and 556 with D2 have had great edge holding with minimal touch ups on an old leather belt (stropping). I think you'll be satisfied with your steel selection.
 
RevDevil said:
Fom what I've seen in my own use, the D2 is solid.... had great edge holding with minimal touch ups on an old leather belt (stropping). I think you'll be satisfied with your steel selection.
Click to expand...

^^This is what I wanted to hear. :thumbup: Many thanks!
 
I just ordered a custom grip and I went with S30V. Looking at that chart I'm glad I did. While in my eyes D2 seems like a better steel with my lack of metallurgy knowledge taken into mind. I can get a face shaving sharp blade on softer steels like Aus 8 and 8CR but S30V I can only get arm hair scraping sharp. I imagine with better stones and technique I could get a superb edge on my S30V, though I only have experience with Spyderco S30V Benchmades is bound to differ slightly. With D2 being harder I would assume I'd have issues with it when it comes time to sharpen it.
 
I've owned knives in D2 and like how long it stays sharp. The trick is to not allow it to go dull. On my 710D2 I use my 1200 grit Edge Pro ceramic rod between sharpenings, and that along with a 30 degree bevel stays useful for a long while as a result.
 
I have a 15020 D2 steel and love the edge retention, just strop once in a while and it's all good. I have the mini grip in 154cm and it is a little easier to sharpen but the edge is toothy and doesn't hold for as long. I'm kind if loving D2 right now.
 
I have the large Bone Collector in D2 and i am truely impressed. It took a really nice edge that i would compare to S30V. (Maybe just me). The when it went dull i took it to the Sharpmaker and after just a few strokes of the regular fine rods it was back to its awesome edge with the 30 degree setting. It iscertainly worth a shot.
 
Yes, I would like them to offer Elmax and 3V as well as S90V in general across the line.
 
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