D2 Questions

mathman

mathman

Joined
Jul 1, 2005
Messages
186
How much tougher is D2 than the high end stainless steels (like S30V, 154CM, VG-10, 440C, etc...)

I've read good things about D2 on these forums...it seems that the only 'weakness' is that it's not really a stainless...right?

I guess I'm just thinking that if D2 holds its edge better than all of the above steels and if it doesn't rust too easliy, then why do people prefer S30V, etc...

I've searched and read all that I was able to find...please feel free to chime in! :)
 
From what I've heard, D2 takes a decent (but not excellent) edge and holds it forever. S30V, for example, will take a better edge - not sure how it compares in retention.
 
I have a BM710D2 and cannot tell the differance in sharpness from my Manix in s30v. I can tell you that the edge on the BM seems to last forever. Toughness wise I can't say from the charts I have seen ther are preaty close in toughness. I may be wrong, so please anyone correct me. All in all I am very happy with my s30v and D2 blades. Thanks.:D
 
D2 is a great steel and another one of my favorites. The often quoted remark of "taking a lousy edge and holding it forever" really is the same for a good edge, it will hold it forever. A fine steel, no doubt. "Not really a stainless" means 2% since almost all stainless will have 14% chromium or so. It will not rust or stain like the O steels do. It is a great steel and has been around for a long time, for good reason.
 
Yes, D2 has similar impact toughness to the high carbon stainless, it isn't close in regards to corrosion resistance for a number of reasons, mainly because the chromium isn't free in the ferrite, it is locked up in carbides, this is where it gets its very high wear resistance. It is of course more corrosion resistant than most of the tool steels, but it can rust readily, though doesn't tend to take a patina well.

-Cliff
 
Ha! when I saw the the headline to this thread, I thought "ask Cliff Stamp", and there he was!

I've never even seen a blade in D2, but I had the impression that it was a tool steel that had to be (to achieve its full potential) hardened to the extent that it was a bit brittle/less tough than was needed in a large blade, so it was best used for smallish precision-cutting knives (rather than machetes, for example).

With this in mind, I'd really appreciate some input on my "Kershaw blades" thread.

Thanks guys . . .
 
I don't know about y'all but I've had my D2 Grippie for some time now and haven't needed to sharpen it at all and it takes an AMAZING edge. Maybe I got one of the better ones or something but I do know that BM's QC is, from what I've seen, near infallible. Don't know what kind of experiences everyone else has had but I love it. Plan on getting the 211 activator in D2 VERY soon.
 
Well, if toughness is your main concern, D2 is not the ticket. It is not appreciably tougher than any of the better stainless.

Download the datasheet for S30V and compare for yourself.
http://www.crusteel.co.uk/datasheets/index.cfm

If you want to beat the premium SSs by a large margine you have to go with a medium-high carbon steel.
 
I couldnt be happier with my kershaw outcast. It is chinese made and the only kershaw I own but it cuts like a drug dealer.
 
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