Better Steel for Camping/Surival Knife? D2 or 1095

H

hkpistole

Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Messages
87
I know 1095 is a supurb steel , very popular around here.. Im hung up trying to decide between a Becker, Rat, Ranger or Esee, trying to get the best one with features i want. I know the esee is probably the best knife in most classes. the D2 steel interests me due to the toughness and edge retention, sorry if i have some redundant posts, just trying to make a good decision
 
1095 for me.

I enjoy the keen edge and ease of sharpening when compared to D2.

This opinion is based on my experience.
 
Off the cuff, I'd say D2 holds an edge better (more wear resistant) & is more stain resistant than 1095. 1095 would be tougher but I'm not sure how much & it's much easier to sharpen, which counts in the field. 1095 is also noted for taking a really fine edge.
 
jeffphansen77 said:
Off the cuff, I'd say D2 holds an edge better (more wear resistant) & is more stain resistant than 1095. 1095 would be tougher but I'm not sure how much & it's much easier to sharpen, which counts in the field.
Click to expand...

I'd say that covers it. 1095 also takes a very fine edge.
 
D2 has a very toothy edge, which is better for cutting rope and synthetic material, but not ideal for wood, etc. D2 also has a higher tendency to chip than 1095. Both are good steels, but neither are my preferred steel for camping/buhcraft or as a survival knife.

edit: Also, Beckers and Rangers are neither 1095 nor D2.
 
BRab said:
D2 has a very toothy edge, which is better for cutting rope and synthetic material, but not ideal for wood, etc. D2 also has a higher tendency to chip than 1095. Both are good steels, but neither are my preferred steel for camping/buhcraft or as a survival knife.

edit: Also, Beckers and Rangers are neither 1095 nor D2.
Click to expand...

So what do YOU prefer? 1095 has worked very well for me, Ive never used any D2 so no experiance but I dont like what I read... I also like sandvik steels alot, I have a 12c27 and 14c28n both are awesome.
 
BRab said:
D2 has a very toothy edge, which is better for cutting rope and synthetic material, but not ideal for wood, etc. D2 also has a higher tendency to chip than 1095. Both are good steels, but neither are my preferred steel for camping/buhcraft or as a survival knife.

edit: Also, Beckers and Rangers are neither 1095 nor D2.
Click to expand...

Beckers are made from 1095, i have a couple. great knives. the ontario rangers are 5160. the esee knives are my favorites though especially the esee6. great all around camping knife, not to big not too small.

take it easy
cricket
 
In my experience D2 will not cut as well as PROPERLY treated 1095, and the purpose of a knife is to cut.
 
cricketdave said:
Beckers are made from 1095, i have a couple. great knives. the ontario rangers are 5160. the esee knives are my favorites though especially the esee6. great all around camping knife, not to big not too small.

take it easy
cricket
Click to expand...

Beckers are not 1095, they are made from 1095CroVan which is the same as Carbon V/50100B/0170-6C.
 
hkpistole said:
I know 1095 is a supurb steel , very popular around here.. Im hung up trying to decide between a Becker, Rat, Ranger or Esee, trying to get the best one with features i want. I know the esee is probably the best knife in most classes. the D2 steel interests me due to the toughness and edge retention, sorry if i have some redundant posts, just trying to make a good decision
Click to expand...

What are the features you are looking for? What size knife are you looking for?

HardTripper said:
So what do YOU prefer? 1095 has worked very well for me, Ive never used any D2 so no experiance but I dont like what I read... I also like sandvik steels alot, I have a 12c27 and 14c28n both are awesome.
Click to expand...

I prefer 1095 over D2, but if I am spending $150 on a 1095 knife, I'm getting a custom from one of the talented makers on this site before a production knife in the same steel. For the same price as an ESEE5 you can get a Swamprat Ratmandu in SR-101 which I find a better steel. For the price, you can't beat Beckers. Check out the $60 BK2 can do http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...g-the-BK2-to-the-test-so-you-don-t-have-to...
 
RMLamey said:
In my experience D2 will not cut as well as PROPERLY treated 1095, and the purpose of a knife is to cut.
Click to expand...

You know, some pretty famous and well-regarded knife makers use D2. Bob Dozier comes to mind. Perhaps Bob is making a mistake over and over as he turns out custom knives in D2 instead of 1095?
 
BRab said:
Beckers are not 1095, they are made from 1095CroVan which is the same as Carbon V/50100B/0170-6C.
Click to expand...

ok, i guess kabar should change their info then. to carbon v/50100b/0170-6c instead of the 1095 they have listed.

cricket
 
Thomas Linton said:
You know, some pretty famous and well-regarded knife makers use D2. Bob Dozier comes to mind. Perhaps Bob is making a mistake over and over as he turns out custom knives in D2 instead of 1095?
Click to expand...

A good friend of mine and fellow BF member uses a D2 Dozier as his go-to knife. Dresses out deer just fine. I've watched him baton wood with it and it held up fine. Even with the hollow grind that some think is less than ideal.

I'd have no problem relying on one of Bob's D2 knives. I just wish I'd have grabbed one when they were selling for about $150.:p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top