D2 or S30V for BM EDC?

bigmo66 said:
You'll likely only come away confused the way this thread is going! I haven't had any experience with BMs D2, but I have a Spyderco Para in CPMD2 and S30V and while both are great steels the CPMD2 seems to hold a razor edge a bit longer. It's also darn close to stainless.
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You are correct! The good news is that it appears as though I can't really go wrong either way. I'm hearing almost nothing but positive things about both steels with the exception of D2 being hard to sharpen. As of right now, I'm leaning more towards the D2. I like the deal that knifeworks has on them right now as well as what people are saying about it holding it's razors edge for a good amount of time. I'm hoping to order whichever one I decide on after my next paycheck, but until then, feel free to keep the opinions coming!

This is a great forum and you all are being incredibly helpful even with the thread being like a tug-of-war battle. Thank you all very much!
 
Here's something that might help, or possibly make my decision even harder, which steel has a better looking finish? I know everyone has different opinions on what looks best, but which one is flashier or perhaps will show less wear through time than the other? I've handled a 940 in S30V, but haven't held a knife with a D2 blade that I was aware of. Never paid as much attention to the steels until now.

If anyone has a good pic that shows a fair comparison that would be helpful.
 
For the most part I prefer S30v over D2 however I think that Benchmade does a better job with their D2.

BTW regardless of what steel you choose you’re gonna be happy with the 940 it’s a great little knife.
 
I have both - I prefer M2 in a blade (a 710) for doing lots of cutting, but on a daily basis I carry a 940 in S30V for size and all round utility.
 
I have never had BM's s30v. I do have their D2. My better half carries it with her all the time. She literally cut the end of her thumb off with that knife once, but that's whole 'nother story!
BM's D2 gets wicked sharp and keeps an edge for a long time. That being said, I too had a lot difficulty sharpening this knife initially. Once I switched to Diamond hones the task became quite a bit easier. Truth is, I prefer M2. That's the steel that works the best for me, it's easy for me to sharpen and it stays lazer sharp for a very long time. Recently, I have been trying M4 out; so far so good. It still has the factory edge and I haven't really needed to sharpen it yet. So, in time we will see.
I did have a Buck/Mayo TNT s30v, with the Paul Boss heat treat. He is said to be one of the best heat treat guys in the business. I found it hard to sharpen, it never got lazer sharp & the edge just didn't last. But was that because my edge was poor? It's all relative; was it the steel? Was it the blade geometry? Was it the heat treat? Is it the maker? Was it me?
Who knows?
I would pull trigger on the D2 :D
 
I love the D2 blade on my BM-Heckler&Koch switchblade as I can cut often and sharpen less:cool:
 
Well, I haven't tired D2 myself so I can't really say much about this thread, but with people saying D2 is harder to sharpen than S30V... I think that's something to pay attention to, because S30V doesn't exactly sharpen up like butter. You might find S30V enough of a challenge on its own.

Anyway, I've been wanting to get a D2 knife because they're generally ran harder than S30V, and I notice S30V has a tendency to roll if it's a really fine edge. On the other hand, some would say that D2 would be more likely to chip under the same circumstance, and that the toughness of S30V makes it roll instead of chip.

So, yeah, I would probably go with S30V again simply because I've used it and it works great. I can't really see needing better edge retention, and it's already a bit of a chore to sharpen so I wouldn't think that D2 would be worth it.
 
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I've had 2, BM 940s in S30V and they're hard to sharpen and cut like banshees one you get them sharp. MY BM 710 D2 is easier (for me) to sharpen than the S30V but also cuts like the devil.

That said, I'd go for the 940 in S30V all day long. BM does a hell of a heat treat on their S30V, the color of the steel is brighter and it cuts like a (what was that?) oh yeah, a banshee! :D
 
Strictly a win/win situation, Michael. My personal pick between the two would be S30V, due to it's ability to take such a fine edge and it's relative ease of sharpening.
 
I have a BM BC mini in D2. I thinned the edge profile a little bit and sharpened it on my paper wheels and it's very very sharp. I cut the flaps off a cardboard box and work and I'm pretty sure it cut easier than a fresh blade in a razor knife. I really like D2. I always have. Something about it. It's tough and that's one reason I like it so much. I trust the material.

Granted I have a kulgera in s30v and a ZT 301 in s30v. They get really really sharp too. But it does seem like the D2 holds that edge longer. I haven't done any testing or anything but if I were you I'd get the D2. It's always had my fancy. I have noticed when I carried the kulgera I had to sharpen it more than I have had to the BC.

Like they said flip a coin...hope it lands on the one for D2. ;)
 
Those speaking of spyderco D2 are not speaking of ANSI D2 but CPM-D2, they are not the same steel and perform nothing alike.

D2 and S30V are very similar in performance with D2 having slightly better edge retention and resistance to deformation as long as the angle is kept at or above 30 degrees inclusive. Thinning D2 too much will result in edge chipping and deformation and that's not fun to take out of D2. S30V on the other hand can be taken very low without the same issues.

D2 is a bear to sharpen and even more so than S30V, with either steel it would be best to use diamonds or power equipment for sharpening.

My choice for your cutting tasks would be S30V.
 
Little correction, its AISI D2 not ANSI..... not sure what I was thinking.........
 
Wow, it's crazy how quickly all you knife fanatics can make me change my mind! Now, I'm thinking the S30V is the way to go... More people have suggested it, however the people who have suggested D2 have strongly suggested it. I don't have much experience sharpening knives and will need some practice and the S30V seems like a safer rout for that. What kind of affordable ($50 or less) sharpener would you recommend for me and this knife?
 
Michael Riley said:
Wow, it's crazy how quickly all you knife fanatics can make me change my mind! Now, I'm thinking the S30V is the way to go... More people have suggested it, however the people who have suggested D2 have strongly suggested it. I don't have much experience sharpening knives and will need some practice and the S30V seems like a safer rout for that. What kind of affordable ($50 or less) sharpener would you recommend for me and this knife?
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I STRONGLY suggest S30V. Benchmade deliered both of my 940's with a tiny obtuse edge but don't be fooled like I was. I accidentally pulled the lock release buttons back (not paying attention) and was rewarded with a nice slice on my knuckle. Just think of how sharp you can get it at say 30 degrees inclusive?

I had a Sharpmaker which sucked at sharpening this steel. I switched to a DMT Magna-guide and all of the diafolds from x-coarse to to xx-fine. It works like a dream unlike the Sharpmaker which only works on softer steels - for me anyway. Easliy getting blades scary sharp.

Bonus is being able to take a coarse/fine diafold with you if you go on a camping trip and need to freshen up your edge in a minute or two. :thumbup:
 
cziv said:
I STRONGLY suggest S30V. Benchmade deliered both of my 940's with a tiny obtuse edge but don't be fooled like I was. I accidentally pulled the lock release buttons back (not paying attention) and was rewarded with a nice slice on my knuckle. Just think of how sharp you can get it at say 30 degrees inclusive?

I had a Sharpmaker which sucked at sharpening this steel. I switched to a DMT Magna-guide and all of the diafolds from x-coarse to to xx-fine. It works like a dream unlike the Sharpmaker which only works on softer steels - for me anyway. Easliy getting blades scary sharp.

Bonus is being able to take a coarse/fine diafold with you if you go on a camping trip and need to freshen up your edge in a minute or two. :thumbup:
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I like the looks of that magna-guide. Looks very convenient and simple to use. If I only want to spend the money on one diafold which one should I get? Will the fine and x-fine included with this package be fine? How much of a difference does the xx-fine make? Also, are there any advantages to getting something like a 6" diamond whetstone over the handheld diafolds? Easier or harder to use or anything like that?
 
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