D2 Fascination, no idea why

bikerector

bikerector

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Nov 16, 2016
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So for some reason I've discovered that I have a fascination with D2 steel and not really sure why. I'm generally easy on knives so it's not like I beat the heck out of the edge enough to really like the steel over some of the others though it seems like many of the knives with it kind of get "super steel" toughness at a better price point but reduced stainless and more challenge getting a fine edge (I guess I do prefer a toothy edge though).

Am I alone in this strong preference without much logical reason behind it? Maybe it's just the unique factor that it's less common that 154cm, 1095, s30v, etc.

Not being a steel snob generally and being mostly a newbie when it comes to knowing real world differences from steels, what is similar to D2 in characteristics as far as toughness and/or edge retention but has some give and take in the other steel measures we measure against. As an example, I would consider VG10 on the same "goodness" scale but for a complete different purpose as it seems less hard use but much more stain-resistant. Since I've never destroyed a knife in use, the toughness levels are all in theory for me, though corrosion resistance is definitely one I've had experience mishaps with before, especially in my younger days with cheaper folders (because that's what I could afford with my fishing gear buying habits at the time).
 
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I too am fascinated with D2, it kind of fills a gap between super steel and budget steel. It's respected enough to be used in high end or custom knives, but it is cost efficient enough to be used in budget knives.
 
I bought a D2 Mini Grip with gift cards from Cabelas almost two years ago and it is my most used knife. I've loved the steel, I've been thinking about buying a custom with D2
 
I like Horsewright Horsewright 's Peterbilt reference. D2 is also the Timex of blade steels as it "takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

While a fine edge can be achieved, the hard-use qualities of D2 certainly make a less-refined bevel a practical choice.

D2 is also a very handsome steel. My first Benchmade was a 710 in D2 that came to me in poor shape. The badly sharpened blade had a couple spots of discoloration on one face and some light pitting on the other. While I've been able to reduce them somewhat, those flaws still show to a lesser extent along with scratches from both the former owner and myself. Despite that the blade still has a deep luster and pleasing appearance.
 
There's nothing wrong with D2. Like most other steels, a good heat treat and geometry are vital for good performance. Dozier uses D2 and his blades are excellent, for example. It is a well known steel and a lot of makers use it. Like anything, it has pros and cons.

If you had to label it, you could say that it is great for low to medium impact continual cutting---rope, fiber, cardboard etc.--where a push cut is not really needed though it can be polished. It seems to hold that "draw cut working edge" better than a lot of other steels.
 
I'm in the same boat. I'm fascinated with D2 but I really don't use my knives hard enough to justify my fascination. I think my fascination is inspired by my workplace. We have a large programmable machine called an Amada that cuts desired shapes out of sheets of steel. I watch the dies slam down onto the sheet steel and cut out shapes like it was the easiest thing in the world. It's like a big cookie cutter only it cuts steel instead of dough.

The dies that do the actual cutting are made of D2 Tool Steel and they do this for days without needing resharpened. I don't know anything about the heat treat on those dies but watching them perform gives me a rather positive outlook on my D2 blades.
 
I dont't mind D2. A "toothy" edge works for me, and I can deal with micro chipping.

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That's a high pressure reinforced hydraulic line.Rubber layer,steel braid, then rubber core. My D2 HK 14715 Axis took it all in stride. No problem getting back.to arm hair shaving with my SharpMaker.

I don't look fot knives in D2' However I won't pass up a knife that ticks all my other boxes just because it uses D2.
 
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Won't say I am fascinated, but I do like D2. It's tough enough, takes a good working edge without much trouble, and is reasonably stain resistant. What's not to like? I'd probably take VG-10 over D2 for an everyday user, all things being equal, but would prefer D2 over any of the 440/AUS type steels.
 
I do like D-2. Most of my Doziers are made with it and I have been perfectly satisfied to this point. People claim it chips, but as of yet I have not had that experience. I also like the couple of Queens I have in D-2.

Generally speaking I think there is too much of a fascination to get a knife in the newest super steel when the older steels work perfectly fine. Was watching one of the Alaska shows and a guy on there makes knives. Traded a couple of his knives for two mules. He said that mules are expensive, but so are my knives. He was using 1083 steel or so he said on the show. The knives looked great.

If you go over to the traditional forum, there is certainly a lot of interest in plain old carbon steel blades as well as even aledgedly one of the worst steels (440A) being used on Rough Rider knives. They're cheap (inexpensive) of course, but there is a lot of interest in well made knives using less than super steels of which D-2 is one of them.
 
I think D2 is an amazing steel. Imho one of the best and it gets a bad rap for corrosion but i find it very easy to maintain and sharpen. I think its reputation has slid of in recent years for two reasons. One its an older steel and thus many newer alloys have come out and it no longer has a flavor of the week appeal. The second which is a bit harder to pin down is the abuse the name D2 has suffered in recent years.

China for some reason has chose to call anything tat doesnt have an actual name D2. It really is the new 440 in terms of anything with an edge and coming in at less than $100 is now called D2 which has diluted the reputation for the genuine article. But like 440c there is no trademark or copyright to the name and anything within certain parameters can be called D2.

Then when you take into consideration companies like brous and medford using the steel almost exclusively and making mad profits in doing so its just D2 overkill for me. Still its a great product when legit and done right. And its sorta a shame that its become almost a four letter word. Among lower cost steels it and the 154cm varieties are some of my faves.
 
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