D2 vs S30V vs A2

spyken

spyken

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Apr 29, 2002
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Hi, I'm considering the above three different steels for my first custom 4inch utility / defense blade....can someone advise on the characteristics, in particular edge holding, edge sharpness, heat treat, toughness, ease of sharpening etc. I have read Joe's FAQ but am looking for more info, practical comments, field comments....

I do not intend to have to keep sharpening my blade, as I don't really want to risk my amateurish sharpening skills on an expensive blade....Can I also have comments on especially Bob Dozier's D2? An S30V or A2 heat-treated by Paul Bos? Who are the other makers whose heat treat is remarkable?

For a 4-5inch blade, is toughness really that important? Isn't edge-holding more important since I'll be using it as a utility blade as well?

What about corrosion factor?

Thanks a lot. The search is disable for normal members like me, so I appreciate as much comments, links, tips as possible.

:) Spyken
 
S30V vs D2 - these two are about equal in longitudinal toughness, but S30V has the advantage of greater wear and corrosion resistance.

A2 is tougher than S30V and D2, but not as wear or corrosion resistant.

More information can be found here:

http://www.crucibleservice.com/cutlery.cfm#

The steels on the charts are hotlinked to their data sheets.


-Frank.
 
Bob Dozier is an absolute master of D-2. I've had several knives from him, all in D-2, and currently have a fixed bladed Tactical 6. While I haven't had a chance to put it through any paces I have observed, as with the others, great grind lines, razor sharp out of the sheath, and a VERY long lasting edge. I believe the Dozier knives are probably the sharpest knives I've ever gotten from a custom maker! Bob's prices are great, and he is producing some newer models. i.e. Freedom Fighter
 
Im finding S30-V to be tougher than either D-2 or A-2 at the same hardness. Any of the above steels are great given they are heat treated properly.
 
I have used all 3 steels. Go with the S30V :) I used to love D2 and it was my main steel, along with assorted high carbon, but after using S30V and hearing some of my customers reviews, S30V is now my main steel. Stainless, pretty dang tough, and wicked edge, what else can you ask for???? Have Paul Bos HT it to 59 rockwell, as is his usual rockwell for that steel and you will love it!
 
You live in Singapore and weather down there in tropic is supposed to be very humid ;). Get the extra corrosion resistance - get S30V.
 
pretty humid?? I hear singapore gets 2000+ millimeters of rain a year? I live in Vancouver with an annual rainfall of about half that and I still can't satnd it. How they hell do you put up with it?
 
thanks y'all for your comments. The S30V will cost me $60 more - is it worth it (I'm thinking of a less than 5 inch blade)? If it is, I will most certainly try it.

Also, I have yet to try Bob's D2 - is it really as good as what everyone has mentioned? What if it comes down to Bob's D2 vs S30V? Help!

jjcoolay - yes - it's really humid here in singapore - 90% humidity or so with daily temperatures of 26-34 deg Celsius. right now the weather even worse from the haze caused by the indiscriminate burning of forests / peat fires in Sumatra / Borneo. The Indonesians haven't yet gotten their act, and it's wreaking havoc on us here.

Actually, I remember that 20 years ago, the weather was a lot better in this region. I gues El Nino changed all that.

Cheers,
spyken
 
My Singaporean friends can handle any kind of crazy hot weather without flinching. I think all that running around in the jungle while in the National Service really helps.

And I thought Hong Kong was hot and humid...
 
I am not sure why S30-V would cost $30 more, it is only a dollar or two a pound more than ATS-34 and 154CM.
 
With humidity like that I think s30v would be your best choice. I don't have a problem with d2 rusting but then again I live in a fairly dry place. I have no experance with A2 but have been told it can rust just looking at it. Would love to hear from others on how a2 has been for them corrosion wise.A2, rust, what say all you?
 
hi rob,
do you mind if I emailed you off line for your opinion in relation to a fixed blade I'm considering? I don't think it's right to mention the knifemaker here, but I would like to get some perspectives from a knifemaker on the price / materials / design I'm considering....
thanks,
spyken
 
Originally posted by spyken
Also, I have yet to try Bob's D2 - is it really as good as what everyone has mentioned? What if it comes down to Bob's D2 vs S30V? Help!
Click to expand...

I'm a big fan of Bob Dozier's work, but I don't think that's prejudice, just experience. :D I bought one medium-length fixed blade for wilderness use from Bob and haven't bought another like it since. That one knife filled a whole category so thoroughly that I just haven't seen the need for anything else. It scares even me... :eek:

As to your question...I think steel selection is important, but with the ones you are looking at the performance differences are extremely small. I would focus your attention on finding the right design and then see what steels it is available in. Any of those three would do very well.

--Bob Q
 
spyken, email me anytime. But I am not sure I can help. I really stay way from commenting on other makers prices. I was just curious why extra for S30-V, I thought perhaps a maker form outside the US had to special order the steel. But as I say, feel free to email me anytime.
 
A2 is a good knife steel at HRC 60. It is tougher than D2 at
HRC 60. A2 will rust, and I would rather not use it in humid
conditions. I love D2, it has some rust resistance, and holds
a great edge. I have not used the CPM S30V yet, but if I lived
in a humid place I'd choose S30V. I see no reason that a S30V
knife should cost more than $10 to $15 extra. From what I've
heard, it is worth it!
 
dozierk1-1.jpg


I’d be happy to comment on Bob Dozier’s D2. It simply holds an edge better than any other steel I’ve used. I punished the heck out of a convex ground Dozier prototype for a week, and was unable to chip or dull the blade on outdoor tests such as leather and wood cutting. The only test that finally chipped blade was hitting it against a cow bone, which also mangled the heck out of similarly ground Marbles 52-100 knives. Two minutes with a piece of 600 grit wet/dry paper and the blade was back to full sharpness. The knife was simply amazing. I never thought convex grinds and D2 would make such a good match, but they did. My convex ground D2 General Utility arrived from Bob this weekend, and I’m the happiest man on earth. This Dozier will replace my large Sebenza as EDC, and also replace my Marbles Fieldcraft for hiking trips.

I’ve carried a Dozier K-4 extensively over the last year, and am blown away by it. The edge holding has been superb, and rust resistance pretty good. The only rust problem occurred after cleaning walleye while night fishing, and forgetting to wipe the blade off after resheathing. My fault completely. There was no pitting, but just a bit of staining. No functional problems came of it.

If you are afraid of subjecting a knife to bad sharpening skills, you may want to look at a convex ground Dozier. Sharpening a convex grind is very different from sharpening a knife with a secondary edge bevel. You don’t have to rigidly hold the knife at a specific angle. All you need is a thick mouse pad and a couple sheets of wet//dry paper to sharpen it with a stropping motion. There is almost no skill required whatsoever. I find it easier than sharpening other knives on a SharpMaker.

Oh yah. I daily drool over Rob Simonich’s knives!!! I’ve been addicted ever since I first picked up my Camillus Mini-Talon. The guy must know his ergonomics if he can design a knife that small and that comfortable. My next purchase will probably be one of his MidTech Crowfeet (or is that Crowfoots?)
 
The knife in the above post is my new convex ground General Utility. Pictured below is my stag handled Straight Hunter. I ordered both directly from Bob. His wife Linda is wonderful to talk to, and gives great last minute advice on which model to order, and what options should be considered. Because Bob is a CUSTOM knifemaker, dealing directly with the Dozier family gives you options you might not normally have with a store.

dozier.jpg
 
buzzbait,
that's absolutely lovely. It looks different from the general utility on Bob's website - I notice that yours has no pronounced spine but is fully flat ground to the spine? very, very nice. does your NIB blade pass the free standing hair shaving test? I really need to know this....
spyken
 
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