D2 vs. M2 - please compare

They're both great!

D2 is more stain/rust resistant and M2 is less likely to chip. Benchmade uses both steels to great effect. A few custom makers work magic with D2 and there are a few using M2 as well.
 
Does M2 rust with out a black coating? Anyone experience rust on M2? I'm trying to decide between the cm154 and the m2 Benchmade Nimravius.
 
nonbox,
My 710HS had the BT2 worn completely off from the thumbstuds forward. I work in an environment with alot of corrosives and heat. My stuff all gets covered in sweat in the summertime(carbon steel Old Timer stockman's blades were almost covered in rust after one day in my pocket).
My 710HS was usually rinsed off, and sprayed with WD-40 at the end of the day. I had zero problems with corrosion until having a BC1/chromium treatment done by BodyCote. They blasted the blade prior to treating it, and I assume the chromium got skipped, because it develops rust spots frequently, ever since-bead blasted carbon steel, and a porous coating apparently don't mix well.
Anyway, I think M2 is fine with reasonable care, and prefer it over 154CM and similar in a heavily used knife because it's less susceptible to chipping. Much easier to steel a rolled edge than regrind a chipped one. The blade will last longer, and require less work in the long run, IMO. This knife has seen some extreme use, not just from work, but as a "test knife", as it was my first time checking out M2, and later the BC1. Alot of intentional abuse has left me pretty enthusiastic about the M2, as it has held up very well.

I found a combination of (my typically bad) scans I took before and after the BC that shows the coating...or lack thereof:
fd9f10a8.jpg
 
Found my MO receipt from having the 710HS's blade, and a D2 ArcLite coated. $27 for both of them in Nov 2001.
I don't think they're doing work for individuals any more, though.
 
Unforuntnatley, Bodycote does not do any coating for individuals at the moment, only for custom makers and large orders.
 
Originally posted by OwenM

My 710HS was usually rinsed off, and sprayed with WD-40 at the end of the day. I had zero problems with corrosion until having a BC1/chromium treatment done by BodyCote. They blasted the blade prior to treating it, and I assume the chromium got skipped, because it develops rust spots frequently, ever since-bead blasted carbon steel, and a porous coating apparently don't mix well.
Anyway, I think M2 is fine with reasonable care, and prefer it over 154CM and similar in a heavily used knife because it's less susceptible to chipping. Much easier to steel a rolled edge than regrind a chipped one. The blade will last longer, and require less work in the long run, IMO. This knife has seen some extreme use, not just from work, but as a "test knife", as it was my first time checking out M2, and later the BC1. Alot of intentional abuse has left me pretty enthusiastic about the M2, as it has held up very well.


That is interesting - your experience of BC1 over BT2.

One other thing. I have noted repeated statements from BM, NOT to use WD-40 on an Axis lock folder. The precise reason(s) why aren't entirely clear to me, but they do seem to be rather firm on that.
 
How does Benchmade's 140 and 145 fixed blade in M2 compare to the cm154 versions?

How fast will M2 rust/show corrosion when uncoated?

How much does it cost to get a large size nimravus DLC coated?

Can you get a dark black color with DLC?
 
I will probably get flamed for saying this but I'm only stating my experience with the two steels, not criticizing.
My experience with M2 has been with 2 BM's. Both had a tendency to chip when sharpened at 20 deg. Sharpened at 25 deg. they didn't chip. I am told that I have a high acid content and when I sweat, I have a tendency to cause knives and blued firearms to rust. If I handle a blued firearm with sweaty fingers and it is not wiped afterward with something to prevent rust, it will rust pretty quickly. I will cause M2 to rust if it is not cleaned and oiled at the end of the day. I found out that the sap in Ficas trees will cause this steel to rust within a matter of a few hours.
I have three blades in D2 and have the same problem with rust if I don't rinse them and oil them after sweating on them. I intentionally tried this steel on the Ficas sap after I discovered what it would do to the M2. The D2 didn't show any sign of rusting by the end of the day when I cleaned it up. I have not experienced any chipping with the D2 at 20 deg. or any other angle. I use DMT diamond stones and the two steels seem about the same to sharpen.
 
How does D2 & M2 compare to cm154/ats34 when it comes to rust/corrosion resistance?
 
Originally posted by nonbox
How does D2 & M2 compare to cm154/ats34 when it comes to rust/corrosion resistance?

154cm/ats34 are more rust resistant than M2 or D2. M2 isn't stainless at all, and D2 is just barely in the stainless category, yet it still requires more care than the other two.

Mike
 
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