Boker 1095hc vs D2

[RustyRick]

I noticed boker has a rosewood trapper in the traditional 2.0 series in these two steels available now in 2025. I've been kind of favoring "carbon steel" a bit more in my vanity cutting pocket weights of late but I'm questioning pros and cons since they have a whittler on the way and it's only in D2. I don't care too much about steel too be honest but I like to entertain overthinking things time and again and I often learn some things in the process. Was say you ...D2 for a traditional folder? Which would you get and why?

 

[EngrSorenson]

D2 has been fairly common in traditional slip joints. It’s semi-stainless, and my experience is it’s a little more difficult to sharpen to a fine edge than 1095. If you don’t particularly care about pristine edges, I think you’ll notice it performs a bit better. When whittling I notice that I don’t get the same crystal clear end grain cuts out of D2 as I do with 1095, XC75 or sandvik.

 

[knarfeng]

I noticed boker has a rosewood trapper in the traditional 2.0 series in these two steels available now in 2025. I've been kind of favoring "carbon steel" a bit more in my vanity cutting pocket weights of late but I'm questioning pros and cons since they have a whittler on the way and it's only in D2. I don't care too much about steel too be honest but I like to entertain overthinking things time and again and I often learn some things in the process. Was say you ...D2 for a traditional folder? Which would you get and why?

I prefer D2. But you will need aluminum oxide or diamond stones for sharpening.
D2 has far superior edge holding compared to 1095. And it is semi-stainless. It will spot, but not pit.

However, if you like patina, or if you only have natural sharpening stones, then 1095 is the way to go.

D2 is an old alloy, but was not used for traditional patterns until fairly recently. But Bob Dozier has used D2 in his custom knives for several decades.

I have a couple of those Boker traditionals in D2. They are very nice knives.

 

[RustyRick]

I prefer D2. But you will need aluminum oxide or diamond stones for sharpening.
D2 has far superior edge holding compared to 1095. And it is semi-stainless. It will spot, but not pit.

However, if you like patina, or if you only have natural sharpening stones, then 1095 is the way to go.

D2 is an old alloy, but was not used for traditional patterns until fairly recently. But Bob Dozier has used D2 in his custom knives for several decades.

I have a couple of those Boker traditionals in D2. They are very nice knives.

I do have diamond stones on the worksharp ...but I mostly strop and say eh good enough more often then not. I just got some D2 folders but don't really have much of an opinions as of yet. I'm leaning towards the whittler, those full size trappers are a bit beefy for me. I typically whittle with dedicated fixed whittler (helvie, occt, ...)