D2 for hard use?

[J_Curd]

Do you mean you had some chipping with your RAT D2?

I have not, but I can definitely tell its harder and has less spring through use.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

What's up everyone.

Can D2 from a good manufacturer be expected for perform as a hard use fixed blade? I'm thinking of a camp/survival knife, including possible chopping and light prying (don't kill me---I know knives aren't meant to be pry-bars...unless your life depends on it).

I thought that D2 was a tool steel, and meant to be very hard but pretty brittle usually. But it seems to keep popping up in limited edition folders and some fixed blades. Can it take abuse?

Cheers wise-ones. :thumbup::thumbup:

The Kershaw Outcast D2 has no problem in taking abuse as a hard-use camping knife.

 

[midnight flyer]

I have not, but I can definitely tell its harder and has less spring through use.

Thanks, J.

It is hard sifting through the D2 information. I am sure it is based in truth somewhere, but there is as more folklore about it than hands on experience.

Like I said before, the credible evidence seems to be a couple of decades old.

I am thinking that with a few respected makers (including Dozier) using it for their knives, and of course Kershaw having the stones to use it for a chopper, the heat treats and understanding of the steel has improved in 20 years.

BTW, if you like any RAT D2 models, you should get them while you can. I know they aren't in short supply, but according to Tom at Chestnut Ridge they are going to quit making the RATs they sell in D2. A call to Ontario confirmed that.

It has NOTHING to do with blade failure or problems. It is apparently just too hard on their machines and uses too many consumables, and the additional cost to manufacture puts them out of their price point.

Another reason I am eyeballing that RAT5. It may not be around much longer...

Don't need one as small as a RAT3, and will probably be getting that Tyrade with the 154cm sandwiched with D2 as the cutting edge. There's that damn D2 again....

http://www.knifeworks.com/kershawtyradeorangeg-10handleplainedge.aspx

I like the larger folders rather than a smaller sheath knife as I get more carry time with the folders in a ammo mag pouch on the belt. Folks frown (plus you look like a rube) if you are out in public with a sheath knife on your belt. That Tyrade looks like a perfect solution.

Robert