CPM D2 vs CPM S30V paramilitary?

michaelm466

michaelm466

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Mar 5, 2009
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I'm looking at getting paramilitary in one of these and I've been going back and forth between the two, the D2 is a sprint run therefore more limited, however I live in a wet area (Oregon) where the stainless s30v could be more helpful, what are the pro's and con's of each? I've read as much as I could find on both and comparisons, one of the thing's i'm most interested in is edge holding ability, but, i've read differing things, what are some of the other advantages of each such as strength, toughness, etc?
 
I got, and it's in my pocket right now, the D2 with green g10. The D2 is scary sharp and the green was a novelty because my only other green g10 at the time of purchase was an Strider Sng (single-slab). HOWEVER, I use my knives for EVERYTHING and the D2 almost immediately showed signs of rust. Yes, I was an Eagle Scout and a Marine and I know I should take better care of my gear. And yes, I could rinse and clean more often but I don't! I would buy the para again in a heartbeat (constructed like a tank and THE strongest lock I've personally come across) but next time it's going to be s30v/black g10. Hope I was some help to you. Keep the peace, Smitty
 
Ive got an S30V with digi camo g10 handles, and I love the thing. Takes an edge fine, I have no problem with the stuff, its sharpens fine with a norton stone and plain leather strop.
 
Every D2 pocket knife I've carried has gotten nasty corrosion spots on it. Maybe I have corrosive sweat!

For that reason, I stick with S30V on the ParaMilitary, which, BTW, is a great knife!:thumbup:
 
I had the D2 first and flipped it to get the S30V. The first day I received the D2 I wiped it down with Tuff Cloth and then carried it IWB. It had staining after that day.

The S30V holds a great edge and these knives are easy to sharpen on my sharpmaker. Maybe the easiest to resharpen of any knife I have, it gets shaving sharp in a quick touch up on the white stones.

I see no reason to go for the D2 unless you must have the green scales. The edge holding is comparable but the corrosion resistance is lightyears ahead with S30V.
 
All right thanks for the advice guys, it sounds like s30v is the way to go, especially here in Oregon
 
Someone please say something nice about the D2 as I was just about set to move on one tonight. I was planning on making it my camping folder/back-up. But when I wake up in the morning, everything--including items stashed in my pack--is damp or even wet from the dew. Am I gonna have to relegate it to shelf/safe queen status?
 
by no means is D2 so crappy that you have to baby it, just rub some miltec on the blade.
As allways remember to keep it clean.
 
I had both and I like CPMD2 much better. In fact I find the CPMD2 out-perform S30V in any way, except rust resistance, which S30V is MUCH better with. I like the D2 can hold a more acute angle due to the 61-62 Rc. I keep my knives clean and they don't get rust at all even though I live 100 ft away from the ocean, unless I left them wet or with lemon juice on them. If rust is a major concern, get the CPMS30V, if not, get the D2 for sure.
 
I bought my CPM D2 Military while I was still living in Eugene - I carried it mostly during the summer, lighter than Manix. I have yet to see any rust or staining at all. Of course, I take pretty good care of my knives, but nothing outrageous. The occasional spray w/ WD40 and washing off with water after cutting something acidic or some adhesive.

I say go for it, the knife hasn't been touched on sharpmaker and is still fingernail-filleting sharp.

DC
 
I still like S30V better but CPM D2 almost ties it, and now I like CPM D2 better the both tool steel D2 and 13C26. I would still go with CPM D2 just because it's limited, so go for it:thumbup:!
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I have nothing bad to say about D2. Just keep it clean. It sharpens as easy as s30v, it stays as sharp as s30v, the edge polish's better than s30v. It doesn't chip an edge like some knives with s30v do. I think the chipping problem has to do with the individual heat treat and the blade shape and grind. But never had to worry about D2 chipping. Just my $.02
 
Looks like the OP chose s30v, but you guys convinced me to jump on the D2. Many thanks. Ordered from Warriors and Wonders late last night (well, technically early this morning) after my willpower and senses were Guinness'd for the night. The proprietor, Jay (great guy, great service!... how many other places would give you a number?!:)), informed me there was 20 of his allotted 100 left as of last week, so time was dwindling on the 1200 sprint run. Now the wait...
 
If you liked it, you would order it anyway, no mater what others say. Most people who replied were prefer S30V over D2.
 
If I had the D2 one (which I don't... darn it.) I would cut every pineapple, strawberry, orange, apple...spread the French, yellow and dijon mustard, and peal all the potatoes I could and let that patina develop deep and rich!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T
 
The D2 seems superior to the s30v .. I have owned many of both, the D2 is much.. Better.. This is my second.. I carried one last year at my job.. Rain or shine.. No rust.. Average cleaning... rust seems to be a non issue in my area..
Get the D2 ...
 
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trimcut123 said:
The D2 seems superior to the s30v .. I have owned many of both, the D2 is much.. Better.. This is my second.. I carried one last year at my job.. Rain of shine.. No rust.. Average cleaning... rust seems to be a non issue in my area..
Get the D2 ...
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbup:
 
michaelm466 said:
All right thanks for the advice guys, it sounds like s30v is the way to go, especially here in Oregon
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Just remember almost any knife can rust. I got my s30v Millie to rust....after I spent a day at the beach and got saltwater on it!:D

Oddly enough my SW 442 I was pocket carrying didnt show any signs of rust. :confused:
 
All my D2 knives act and look just like any stainless knives I own. And I don't do anything different to them. I do live in Reno which averages <20% humidity in the summer but I still carry the D2 knives all the time on hot days in my pocket. I suspect I'd be flushing them more if I carried IWB but I hate carrying that way anyway. I have a CCW and hate the IWB for that too but there isn't much of a choice for CCW carry besides IWB. I'm a pretty large man, 6' 2" and running right about 250 which means I can break a sweat sometimes and I also go commando (I have all my life) so IWB is right next to my skin. But again, I suspect just my right hip pocket on hot days must be pretty salty moist sometimes and I've yet to ever see a spot on any D2 knife I own.

BTW, I have four D2 Paras. One I carry almost daily recently and three are in the stash.
 
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