D2 question

[Leeble611]

Is it hard to sharpen?

 

[james terrio]

It's harder to sharpen than 1095 or O1 at the same hardness, yes.

 

[diced]

Its not too bad, use fine diamond stones, it seems a bit easier than S30V but harder than 1095.

 

[RevDevil]

If you touch up the blade up occassionally, you can avoid full blown sharpening.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Re-bevelling can take a while on D2, especially if working with smaller hones (even diamond). It is much more abrasion-resistant than 1095 or other mid-range stainless steels like 420HC/440-series stuff, and that difference will be noticed on the hones. Very high carbon content, in combination with significant vanadium and relatively high chromium, makes for a greater abundance of the harder carbides.

Once a D2 blade has a good bevel on it, additional maintenance & touch-up sharpening isn't too bad, using either diamond or silicon carbide abrasive (stones or wet/dry sandpaper).