D2 versus S30V versus VG10

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

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Jun 8, 2005
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The battle of exotic steels.

I haven't been able to try an exotic S30V knife yet, maybe later this summer with a native. However, I have a D2 mini grip and a VG10 spyderfly, and I'm more impressed with the VG10's edge...I haven't sharpened either of them, and only the benchmade has done work, but nonetheless, the VG10 is like, scary.

So I ask you, experienced readers: of the three, which is your favorite and why? Is S30V REALLY that much superior to VG10 and D2? And what abobut those two?
 
Artfully Martial said:
So I ask you, experienced readers: of the three, which is your favorite and why? Is S30V REALLY that much superior to VG10 and D2? And what abobut those two?
Click to expand...

No experience with D2, but I find VG-10 takes a better edge than S30V and is easier to sharpen. S30V on the other hand has somewhat better wear resistence. I personally prefer VG-10, but most of the knives in my EDC rotation are either S30V or S60V (CPM440V), a steel that's become somewhat unfashionable, even though it's pretty good.

Hans
 
My favorite steel is VG10. Takes a great edge, and isn't too hard to sharpen for a stainless steel. It keeps an edge well also.

The only problem with VG10 is availability. American manufacturers can't get VG10 in raw form, so there aren't that many knives with this steel.
 
Personally I like the D2 over both S30V and VG10. I think it stays sharp longer based on my observations and heck, from my experience D2 is near stainless in the way it holds up. I've had more rusting problems with blasted S30V than D2 but the D2 isn't bead blasted either.

Only thing I can think to say that could be a negative about D2 is that if you cut acidic fruit, or veges with it you can expect it's cutting performance to drop below that of either of the other two mentioned here. See Cliff Stamps review on these three for more on that. I believe that others have noted something to the same effect also. So, if you do a lot of food prep you might want to pick one of the other two. Personally I like BG42 better than both S30V and VG10 but VG10 is a very close second. (very close)
 
Okay, let's open it to all exotic steels. There are several I see all the time but I can't even think of because, for the most part, the knives I'm looking at aren't available in them

BG42 is one example, use whatever you'd like and compare it to these three. Think anything above 440C-esque stuff. Anything not mundane.
 
s30v is still fairly new to me so time will tell. I always liked VG-10 and I had good luck with Benchmade's M2 steel.
 
D2 blade steel performs well for me. All knives need to be resharpened sometime but, D2 needs it less often. I plan on getting a VG10 Spyderco sometime soon as I have only heard mostly good comments on this steel. We have come a long way since the 420 steels and that is a good thing! :cool:
 
Based on the specifications of each, I prefer S30V over D2. As far as experience I have owned several knives in S30V (CRKs, Al Mar, Benchmades) and only one in D2 (Bencmade). I haven't tried VG10 but my Fallkniven F1 is on the way so I will have some experience with laminated VG10 very soon. :)
 
I like all the ones listed,

vg-10 across the board is my favorite for edge retention/easy to maintain/freaky sharp :cool:
 
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