D2 Fascination, no idea why

I like it a lot! It holds a great toothy edge breaking down cardboard boxes:)

I've got these two, an ADV Pocket Butcher and a Robeson Whittler made by Queen.



~Chip
 
Horsewright said:
From a knife makers standpoint its the Peterbuilt of steels. Just keeps chugging along.
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Growing up in a family of truckers, I appreciate the reference.

MI-FZ6 said:
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
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I was thinking of getting the D2 grip from cabelas as I have a mini but not a regular grip. With the mchenry disco'ed I feel like it's been harder to find and I waited too long on the closeout sales. I moved to a city without a blade length law so I can carry whatever I want as long as I don't carry it around to some of the cities closer to Detroit like the burb I used to live in.

SoCalEDC said:
154-CM is my fav with D2 a close 2nd behind.
I'm seeing more and more S30V lately.
I dunno...don't own any of that blade steel yet.
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I have a few in S30v and I had one is s35vn (very similar to s30v). I like the steel but you notice it in the price pretty quickly usually.

I feel like I see a lot more makers using D2 than manufacturers (maybe I'm looking at the wrong ones) which I think gives me the idea that it's a little more boutique. it's certainly less common than 154, VG-10, sandvik, S30v, and aus-8 that are go-to's for many knife producers. I've started watching the maker's exchange on the forums more... which is going to get me in trouble with the wife if I don't show some better restraint.

I appreciate the conversation from everyone.
 
WValtakis said:
I like it a lot! It holds a great toothy edge breaking down cardboard boxes:)

I've got these two, an ADV Pocket Butcher and a Robeson Whittler made by Queen.

~Chip
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The pocket butcher has been on my want list for quite a while but the price is too steep for me. Wharncliffe, D2, great aesthetics, love it.

Here's my D2 wharncliffe from Hardedge knives that was well priced. It's pretty mean on cardboard.
pqXyKNM.jpg
 
I like D2 more and more. Two of my favorite knives, an H&K axis lock and a WE 703, are D2. I also am finding the latest super steel an endless quest for enhanced performance I don't need. I am not going to wear a knife blade made of quality in my lifetime given the rate at which I cut.
 
I was looking at the Freeman flipper in D2.
Good looking knife.
 
Horsewright said:
From a knife makers standpoint its the Peterbuilt of steels. Just keeps chugging along.
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I like it because it works and works well. People look down on it because it has been around awhile and isn't fancy and new. But it still works. I bought a used Benchmade with D2 several years ago. It came very sharp and stayed sharp for a long time.
 
I have a Chinese made knife with D2 and they said part of the heat treat was cryogenically frozen... well I couldn't sharpen it until I got some diamond stones... that's my main gripe about it. since then I got a brous in d2 and it must be much softer in comparison because it's easier to sharpen.

its not anywhere near my favorite but I like it okay. its got better edge retention than most budget steel and hangs with some mediocre stuff... rather have some powdered steel.

I've seen edge retention be low and medium on different d2 knives which is dependent on so many factors it can be a bit confusing.

psf27 is the cast form of d2 and its even better... and cpm-d2 is the powdered form which I like more so.

what I find funny is regardless of what version it is, everyone just calls it d2.
 
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D2 and S30V/S30Vn are kissing cousins. I suspect the large component of vanadium carbides is a major factor. CTS-XHP is also very good, seems to take a finer edge. In real life, any of them will be more than adequate for cutting, given proper heat treat and blade geometry.
 
One more plus vote for D2 here. I prefer to keep my edges well maintained and a quick strop on even something as basic as corrugated cardboard brings my D2 knives back to shavin' sharp. Certainly the heat treat is an important factor. Like PURPLEDC said, Brous and Medford must make great margins using D2 but for me as the end user, it works so I'm OK with it.
 
Anyone can share how's Schrade Manilla D2 performance is? Charlie Mike said he tested it to be 55HRC. Any good it is at that hardness with Schrade's HT?
 
I've had quite a few knives with it, but only have one now, and I've beaten the crap out of it. It's beyond my pathetic sharpening skills now, so T.L.E. will see it soon.

It's a Brous Bionic first generation. The blue ano is coming off all over it, I've filed down the flipper tab so it's not so sharp, as well as the pointy edges on the rear of the handle. Later, I'll throw some pictures up of it.

I gave my dad a Lionsteel Opera, which he loves and is still going strong.
 
Mo2 said:
I have a Chinese made knife with D2 and they said part of the heat treat was cryogenically frozen... well I couldn't sharpen it until I got some diamond stones... that's my main gripe about it. since then I got a brous in d2 and it must be much softer in comparison because it's easier to sharpen.

its not anywhere near my favorite but I like it okay. its got better edge retention than most budget steel and hangs with some mediocre stuff... rather have some powdered steel.

I've seen edge retention be low and medium on different d2 knives which is dependent on so many factors it can be a bit confusing.

psf27 is the cast form of d2 and its even better... and cpm-d2 is the powdered form which I like more so.

what I find funny is regardless of what version it is, everyone just calls it d2.
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Psf27 uses a spray forming process not a cast process.

It's a cheaper process then the powdered metallurgy. But that doesn't mean it's worse

More info on spray forming
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/9904/Leatham/Leatham-9904.html

Gayle Brady mentions that the spray forming process makes more even sized spherical shaped carbides that really aid in edge retention and ease of sharpening.

Takes a way better edge in my experience sharpening a combative edge M1 folder.

My overall opinion on D2 is that it is wayyy over glorified. For some reason D2 get a pass on the forums but S30v is considered god awful.
Even though with all things being equal S30V should be considered the superior steel.
 
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I have two Brous knives in D2, I've found it to be a good steel, durable and easily sharpened. It may not be stainless, but neither has ever shown the slightest hint of rust.

It doesn't take a razor edge (at least for me) , but it works fine for EDC.
 
Luv my first knife in D2, mostly cuz it was the only model offered in something other than 1095. Not because there's anything wrong with 1095, it's just that it wasn't 1095.

I've since found that D2 is perfectly serviceable for my tasks, especially with a toothy edge.
 
My only knife in D2 is a Dozier K2. I have field dressed and butchered dozens of South Carolina white tails with it and have sharpened it twice. Very surprised how low it ranked on Ankersons tests. It has performed great on game. I'm a fan.
 
D2 is good with me. As others have pointed out, D2 seems to have lost some of its appeal due to age and budget offerings that use the steel (at least in name).
 
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