D-2 or 154 CM for Mini Griptilian?

L

Lavan

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Nov 8, 2000
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I'm ...sorta.... over losin my knife and thinking of getting a new one that sits IN the pocket. I ...had... a mini grip and gave it to my grandson.
Short of askin for it back, I am thinking of getting a new one as they sit IN pockets just swell.
BUT.... Cabela's has a D-2 version and the one I had was 154 CM which now also comes in YELLOW! (which MIGHT help to not lose it)

Anyhow, which should I get? I like the extremely sharp edge that the 154CM takes and have never owned a D-2 anything.

The D-2 is described as hRC 57-60 and the 154CM is listed as 58-61.

My main knife use is nearly nuttin but I do use em for opening packages and cutting around the house. AND I dearly love to peel strips of paper.

What think?

:confused:
 
D2 is the superior steel, it will take a nice keen but toothy edge and it will hold that edge for a long long time. I say go for the D2 variant (Cabelas Exclusive)
 
if you want yellow you can get the s30v ritter mini just as an fyi.

between d2 and 154cm, I would go for the 154cm personally. I dont feel the difference in price makes it worth it since 154cm is such a good steel.
 
I own both in both sizes and am a D2 fan. But in this case Cabelas is asking too much for the D2 version. I would get the CM154 from someone one like the New Graham pharmacy who sponsors this forum in addition to having great prices..
 
I would really like the D2 version, but I can't justify the price when 154CM is a fine-enough steel by itself. If you could use the extra edge-holding capability of D2, then it might be worth it for you.

cckw said:
I own both in both sizes and am a D2 fan. But in this case Cabelas is asking too much for the D2 version. I would get the CM154 from someone one like the New Graham pharmacy who sponsors this forum in addition to having great prices..
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, BM's new policy excludes New Graham, and their stock of BMs seems to be drying up :(
 
I'm enthused with 154CM in every blade I have and disappointed with D2 in two knives I have with it. I know there are guys who like D2 and I appreciate that because they are able to sharpen it enough to suit them. Me? I can;t get it where I want it. I can get is sharp....but not sharp!.

154CM, as you know Lavan, is no steel to scoff at. Were it my choice to make, there's no ambiguity in this post as to which one I'd choose. But it's yours, and either one will cut whatever you want to cut with it....of course.
 
My D2 experience is limited, but like many others, not sure the upgrade in price is worth it. I like 154 CM.
 
I like D2 but I dont concider it an easy steel. It gets sharp but not without work and it dont stay that way long is my experience. It stays the small stepp under satisfying sharp though for a extended period of use. Am not totally exited over 154 cm either. Im a VG10, SGPS type of gay but this isnt possible in Benchmade. Id take the D" out of dose two steels, no matter pricedifference.

Bosse
 
If you have the cash ($89.99 at Cabela's I think), go for the D2. It's a limited supply and maybe a bit higher on the coolness factor. For me, I got the 154 Mini-G for my son because it's a great knife, great steel, and you can get it for a good price (about $60 on the Web). No bad choices here. It's also about the least expensive Axis lock blade you can get, and that's a plus.
 
I prefer Benchmades take on 154cm better than what they do with D2. :)
 
Having Both, using both and having sharpend both I say go for the D2 version. It takes a few more minutes on the sharpmaker to get it to hair whittling sharp but it stays that way practically forever. I've got knives in S30V aswell and IMO S30V can't hold a candle to D2 in the edge dept, now in the strength and rust resitance dept S30V excells.

BM coats the blade with their BK1 coating so no real extra care is necessary and if sharpening is not your thing or you don't like to sharpen your knives the D2 version is worth every penny.

B/W the 2 there is no bad choice but I've got both and currently EDC the 551 ORG with 154CM but I prefer the D2 BK1 Variant but I just don't need to carry both every day.
 
People always say that D2 has more wear resistance and is tougher than 154cm/14-4 CroMo, which is the same as 154cm but made by Latrobe. Latrobe says the opposite in their literature re: both steels at RC60

Being as they make both steels and aren't promoting one over another it's something to discuss. BY the way, neither the D2, nor the 14-4CroMo ( 154cm analog) is the powered version like CPM D2, or CPM 154, though the company does produce plenty of powder steels. http://www.latrobesteel.com/assets/documents/datasheets/Blade_Steels.pdf

At RC61: http://www.latrobesteel.com/assets/documents/datasheets/14-4CrMo.pdf

Some of their catra % figures: 440C 100%
14-4/154cm 120%
14/2/4 or CPM S30V 145%
20CV 180%

No CATRA % but a chart for Latrobes version of S90V compared to 20CV: http://www.latrobesteel.com/assets/documents/datasheets/DuraTech_420PM.pdf

For those old timers and BG42 fans like me here is Latrobe's page on BG42:http://www.latrobesteel.com/assets/documents/datasheets/BG42.pdf

Crucible says it too. So much for D2 being tougher and more wear resistant: http://www.crucibleservice.com/datash/dsS30Vv5.pdf
 
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Mastiff very nice information. If your interested in steel look at the new overing from crucible. S110V or S32vn or something that is used in the Chris reeve kitchen knives. one of the days people are gonna shout for CPM S110V instead of S90V etc.
 
I asked the same exact question and in the end I saved the $30 and went with the 154CM in yellow. I already have a D2 in the Para and it is indeed keeping it's edge forever! I figured I'd try BM 154 and see what I think. I also wanted something in a color I have never had. knifeworks seems to have plenty...
 
Marthinus, I have two S110V knives and am impressed with the steel. The new steel from crucible is not something I can research even at crucible's website. More info will come out in time.

I believe Sal G. stated Spyderco got some to try and will be putting out something using it in the future. S110V also, as well as some other steels he has yet to talk about but puts in the S90V/ZDP class. Joe
 
I would go with 154 CM. It's a very good steel, I don't think you'd notice a huge performance difference with D2 in a knife like the Mini Grip. At least not a difference big enough to justify the extra cost.

Plus I don't care for coated blades.
 
forget what the manufacture says, its what is experienced in the field that makes a difference. And in my experience and many others experience D2 holds up better than 154 and takes a keener edge with a toothy bite.

While 154 is a great steel D2 is a 'better' steel.
 
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