BM 710D2 "steel upgrade" from 154CM?

R

rifon2

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Oct 9, 2005
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(I'd posted this more generally in a different thread, but other posts there got me to thinking this)

Recently, as everyone knows, the 710 moves from 154CM to D2 & Benchmade announces a "steel upgrade".

Overall - including corrosion resistance - is D2 clearly an "upgrade" from 154CM?

Or is it more like: D2 and 154CM are both great steels, with D2 better in some ways & 154CM better in others?
 
I have the BM710D2 and have had other BM's in 154cm. I think the D2 is better in some ways. I can get a 'toothier' edge not as fine as 154 but it slices like there is no tomorrow. It also holds an edge forever. Corrosion wise it is not as good as 154cm but I have had no problems with rust or pitting, it requires alot less maintenance than I thought it would. So in terms of edge and edge retention BIG upgrade. Corrosion so-so I can't really tell the differance. Just my opinion. Thanks.:D
 
Aww, come on.

M2 beats D2 hands down in the edge department (IMO).

I suspect it was a simplification on a steady selling model and a compromise.

D2 fills the nitch between 154CM and M2, sharing attributes of each (not to mention D2 is rather popular at the moment). And, at least with Benchmade's heat treatment.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Aww, come on.

M2 beats D2 hands down in the edge department (IMO).

I suspect it was a simplification on a steady selling model and a compromise.

D2 fills the nitch between 154CM and M2, sharing attributes of each (not to mention D2 is rather popular at the moment). And, at least with Benchmade's heat treatment.
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Thanks for that.

I was positive that Benchmade meant the upgrade was from 154CM to D2; not from M2 to D2.
 
Tweakmeister - hope I didn't come off as putin' you down.

Been sharpening some ats-34 Benchmades which create super burrs for some reason (which kills the relaxation I generally get when sharpening). BM's 154CM has never done that for me (yet, anyway).

Unfortunately, I had just finished sharpening a 710HS, which took an edge relatively effortlessly.
 
Perhaps enough folks did not like the black coating, which is a necessity for finishing over M2 steel. M2 has very little chromium content and will corrode rather easily, especially around food stuff and marine/ tropical environments. My BM M2 blades are a bit of a pain to sharpen. This hi speed steel is hard! On the other hand, I have appreciated D2 steel over many years. No doubt made popular by Bob Dozier, the "doctor" of D2 as it is termed often. It has enough chromium content to border stainless. And doesn' t require the black coating. NOTE: if Benchmade would just use an ample hollow grind finished with a thinner edge bevel on several appropriate models of their folders, their edges would be appreciably easier to sharpen. And their edge holding abilities would be that much greater.

N.
 
Yeah, D2 is an improvement of 154CM, but not quite as good as M2. The switch makes a lot of sense for BM.... simply the knife down to one steal that will provide 95% of M2's edgeholding and 90% of 154CM's corrosion resistance. People that would only buy a 710HS and never consider the 154CM model will still be satisfied with D2 and vice versa for stainless fans.

I got 3 710HS's and a special edition in D2 so I won't be adding a new D2 model anytime soon.... unless it's a satin model... Hmmmm... :D

The only thing that's "better" about 154 over D2 is corrosion resistance, but I really find that a non-issue. My 710HS and 52100 fixed blades have been through conditions that would make most knife freaks cry and I've never had a rust problem with them. I just make a habit of wiping the edge clean/dry after use. I do get a little coloring of the steel, but as long as the edge doesn't rust away, I don't care. D2 has enough chromium to barely sneak into the "stainless" category, so it's much more resistant than carbon steels. I've never had to do anything special to my Doziers and haven't seen a spec of rust on them.
 
Cargun said:
Yeah, D2 is an improvement of 154CM, but not quite as good as M2. The switch makes a lot of sense for BM.... simply the knife down to one steal that will provide 95% of M2's edgeholding and 90% of 154CM's corrosion resistance. People that would only buy a 710HS and never consider the 154CM model will still be satisfied with D2 and vice versa for stainless fans.

I got 3 710HS's and a special edition in D2 so I won't be adding a new D2 model anytime soon.... unless it's a satin model... Hmmmm... :D

The only thing that's "better" about 154 over D2 is corrosion resistance, but I really find that a non-issue. My 710HS and 52100 fixed blades have been through conditions that would make most knife freaks cry and I've never had a rust problem with them. I just make a habit of wiping the edge clean/dry after use. I do get a little coloring of the steel, but as long as the edge doesn't rust away, I don't care. D2 has enough chromium to barely sneak into the "stainless" category, so it's much more resistant than carbon steels. I've never had to do anything special to my Doziers and haven't seen a spec of rust on them.
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Very interesting points, thanks.

And by the way...I just picked up a 710D2 and that satin finish is real nice...
 
orthogonal1 said:
Tweakmeister - hope I didn't come off as putin' you down.
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Not at all, but I appreciate your concern. My post was being a bit sarcastic - I know M2 is better than D2...and I own an M2 710HS. :)

If this D2 is done right, then it sounds like a happy medium between m2/154.
 
Yeah, I'm hoping BM does the heat treat right, going for hardness.

Based upon my 806s, it could go either way (one appears harder than the other in use and sharpening).

Hoping to see how it goes, but eventually I'll inevitably buy one and know. The 710 is very close to my ideal EDC.
 
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