D2 steel vs 1095 crovan steel

The difference is in composition. In general terms, D2 has more "stuff" in it. As far as which one's better....no answer to that. Better for what? What is your intended use? Both can be great steels for different uses. :) What's better is up to your use.
 
D2 steel has a higher carbide content so it will have better wear resistance in abrasive materiel. It is also very close to being a stainless steel, not quite. So over 1095 it will resist corrosion better. Versus 1095 it will be a bit more prone to chipping (depending on heat treat ect.).

1095 takes an easy edge. It is a pretty dang tough steel, but also rusts pretty easily.

Hope that helps a little better. Which is best just depends on what you are looking for.
 
marcinek said:
Then it depends on what you like a woods knife to do.

By the way, 1095 CroVan doesn't really mean anything, if I recall. I think its a proprietary name and can be anything. Don't quote me on it, though.
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Well a bit of research shows its just some other steel with a new name slapped on it.

Anyway, the real point is that which one is better for your woods knife depends on what you want out of a woods knife. Do you want to to slice? Chop? Have better edge retention? Be more rust resistant? Easier to sharpen? etc etc etc
 
I have knives in both, and absolutely love D2. CPM-D2 is even better. Before I go any further, I'll need to know what kind of climate you live in/plan to use the knife in. That will make a difference in the opinion I give you. Overall, I'd go with D2.

Marcinek, correct me if I'm wrong but the CroVan is for Chromium and Vanadium.
 
K.O.D. said:
Marcinek, correct me if I'm wrong but the CroVan is for Chromium and Vanadium.
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I would imagine. But once you add chrome or vanadium to 1095 or any 10xx series steel, its no longer a 10xx steel. Its something else.

So, 1095 Cro Van is kinda an oxymoron. But that's just semantics. I believe it is technically 50-100B or 0170-6.
 
BladeLover97 said:
I live in wisconsin
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Rust should not be too much of a problem except when fishing etc. Both are excellent steels. D2 would still be my choice. But the KA-Bars and ESEE's in 1095 perform very well. I live in northern IL and spend a lot of time in Wisconsin.
 
D2 is a great all around steel. Not bad to sharpen, resists rust and will cut all day
 
To my understanding, 1095 CroVan is actual 0170-6, which is mainly 1095c plus vanadium for increased wear resistance and toughness as an incremental improvement on 1095c, much like how S35VN is an incremental improvement over S30V. Someone more knowledgeable than me should verify that though.

I like 1095 more than D2 for mid-sized blades. My experience with standard factory-production folders have found that 1095 is often a more consistent steel than D2, and that you can get really good 1095 for a lot less than really good D2. One example is the 1095 used by Ontario on their RAT series.

I've read D2 can be a phenomenal steel with what custom makers are doing with it and the HT, but my usage of most factory D2 has always left me rather disappointed compared to some other common steels. It has pretty good wear resistance but my usage has found it to really lack in toughness compared with a good 1095, plus it often brings a premium on pricing and doesn't have all that great of corrosion resistance. I wouldnt hesitate to buy a custom D2 knife, but I do hesitate when buying factory folders or fixed blades in D2. One reason for this is because many production folders in D2 are priced alongside ones made of CPM-154, ELMAX, and S35VN, which I feel are better steels.
 
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