?- Folder with D2 blade?

M

melt

Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
467
I'm thinking about buying a tactical (I know that word is over-used, but I don't want a traditional style) folder with:
Price: around 100 dollars
Blade steel: D2
Blade length:3 to 5 inches
Carry: tip up pocket clip for left or right handed carry
Lock: No liner locks or frame locks. I prefer a backlock or some variation of an axis lock.
Suggestions?

And please don't tell me how D2 chips and breaks. I have a fixed blade Ka-Bar Impact in D2 and it is super. I've chopped and hacked on dead (but not rotten) dry oak a bunch with it, and it has not chipped, holds an edge very well, and resharpens easily with DMT sharpeners.
 
Easy, Benchmade 710 in D2:thumbup: Axis lock, great blade in your size range, tip up carry right or left hand. Gets wicked sharp, and sits really nice in the pocket.

Can't go wrong
 
melt said:
I'm thinking about buying a tactical (I know that word is over-used, but I don't want a traditional style) folder with:
Price: around 100 dollars
Blade steel: D2
Blade length:3 to 5 inches
Carry: tip up pocket clip for left or right handed carry
Lock: No liner locks or frame locks. I prefer a backlock or some variation of an axis lock.
Suggestions?
Click to expand...

D2 Benchmade Griptilian from Cabelas.


551D2BKOD-1.jpg
 
Another vote for the 710. I own 5 and love them all. Try the newer 710BKD2, it a great looking knife!
 
Benchmade offers many folders that meet your criteria, but I'm not familiar enough with them to suggest any in particular. I've handled a 710 and while it was a nice knife it's not something I'd carry very often (Ergos felt a little funny, scales not textured as rough as I prefer, kind of heavy overall). The D2 Griptilian looks like a good choice, the only thing that'd make me think twice is I think full sized grips feel slightly bulky in the pocket and I much prefer a thumb hole to stud.

Kershaw has some CPMD2 models out but I believe they're all framelocks. I'm not terribly fond of either models (Leek and JYD2.) primarily due to ergonomics that don't fit me.

Spyderco has the Paramilitary and Military in CPMD2. The latter is a liner lock though, and both feature tip down clips. The Paramilitary is a wonderful design IMO and I liked it enough to spend another 35$ on a custom tip up wire clip. I can fully recommend this knife after EDCing it for some time. One of the most ergonomics knives I own, perfect G10 texture, I love the blade shape and the compression lock is a great combination of strength and light weight. The clip was the only thing wrong with it.
 
Seems like one of 2 Benchmades would be best. Either the Cabela Grip or the 710.
 
The limiting factor here is the steel choice.

Any reason why it has to be D2 (a popular steel at the moment, but not a great steel)?
 
orthogonal1 said:
The limiting factor here is the steel choice.

Any reason why it has to be D2 (a popular steel at the moment, but not a great steel)?
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to nitpick with you, but D2 is not just a "popular steel at this moment". I've been buying and using D2 bladed knives for quite a few years now, and I'm not the only one:D(Not CPM D2, simply plain D2), also I disagree a bit with the "not a great steel" comment as well.

Often times, people complain that they can't get a razor sharp edge on D2. From what I understand, the carbides in the D2 makeup are rather large in comparison to some other steels, such as 154CM or S30V, but anyone proficient at sharpening should be able to put a very fine edge on the blade nonetheless. Personally, even though I can put a fine edge on my D2 blades, I sometimes prefer to keep them with a bit of a rougher, toothier edge, and don't take them down to razor sharp. It makes for a great, aggressive cutting edge that lasts for quite a long time.

The other complaint from people is that D2 is not a true stainless steel, and thus suffers from corrosion problems. Well, if you take care of your blades, and wipe them down periodically, and no that doesn't mean a pain the butt schedule like every other day, you will have very little problems with rust and corrosion. I find, that unless you live in an extremely humid environment and also tend to sweat profusely, those claims are for the most part overblown. I live in California and my hands sweat more than their fair share, no problems with my D2 at all. Remember, Tuf-Cloth is your friend;)

The OP asked for suggestions for a D2 knife, and I find it reasonable that he would want one, because it really is a GREAT steel (I didn't say "super steel", but it is great:thumbup:) I don't see any reason why anyone should try and dissuade him from that goal. I'm sure he'll be happy with it.

Jon
 
I EDC the 710 for almost a year, and while it is a fine knife keep in mind it's big for a folder, excessive for any of my needs and it does have a recurved edge so you wont be able to sharpen it on flat stones.

Why are you determined to have it in D2?
 
jonnymac44 said:
I don't see any reason why anyone should try and dissuade him from that goal. I'm sure he'll be happy with it.

Jon
Click to expand...

D2 is one of the steels "de jour" at the moment.


Not trying to dissuade, just wondering why specifying a relatively common steel in a combination that pretty much limits the knives meeting the criterion to one maker.
 
sketchbag said:
.... it does have a recurved edge so you wont be able to sharpen it on flat stones.

Why are you determined to have it in D2?
Click to expand...


I agree with you about the difficulty of sharpening a recurved edge on a flat stone. That's a problem I have experienced with my SOG Spec-Elite II, so I'm more interested in one of the Cabela's Griptillians in D2. I have an older full sized Benchmade Griptillian in 440C, and I have no complaints about that knife design. Yes, as some of you pointed out above, the Griptillian is a bit bulky, but I find it very comfortable in my hand.

Why am I determined to have it in D2? Jonnymac44 gave many good reasons in his above reply (thanks, Jonnymac44). As I stated in the original post, I've got a D2 fixed blade that I have used a great deal, and I've never encountered rust, chipping, or difficulty in sharpening. Could I have the best one example of any blade ever made in D2, which is far superior to any and all other D2 knives? No. Highly unlikely. I don't know how or why some folks have had issues with D2, and I was already aware of the complaints regarding this steel when I bought the D2 Ka-Bar Impact nearly two years ago. When I got that knife, I did not baby it. I've done some things with it that might even be considered abusive, such as stabbing it hard several times into the top of an oak stump (it handled it fine; just don't stab, then twist) with no tip damage, or any other damage. I chopped and hacked thruogh dry (but not rotten) oak limbs the size of a shovel handle with it for about an hour, starting with it hair-popping sharp, and was amazed at how sharp it still was when I stopped. Then it resharpened to hair-popping again in less than 10 minutes.
So....I want a folder with D2. I don't have a vast collection of knives, but I've got folders in VG-10, 440c, AUS 8, CPMS30V, and I'm not sure what an old Cold Steel Voyager with the integrated plastic pocket clip I bought 5 years ago at a gun show is made out of. I want to try a folder with D2.

Part of the fun of folders (for me, at least) is trying out different blade steels.

Anyway, thanks to all who brought up the Cabela's D2 Griptillian. I'm going to look into that, but I'll still appreciate further discussion, tales of experience, advice, or suggestions of folders.
 
If you don't object to AO the 913D2 Nitrous Stryker is a fine EDC too. And it's in your stated budget
 
orthogonal1 said:
D2 is one of the steels "de jour" at the moment.


Not trying to dissuade, just wondering why specifying a relatively common steel in a combination that pretty much limits the knives meeting the criterion to one maker.
Click to expand...

I still think you're a bit off with the "steel du jour" idea. Maybe you're thinking about CPM D2, which is different from classic D2 tool steel, which is the steel that the OP is talking about and is quite commonplace these days. The CPM D2 is much newer, and is basically a powdered version of of the original wrought D2 done up by Crucible. The original idea was to get improved corrosion resistance with the powdered version. It's production may also be a limited run, which is another reason why the CPM D2 seems to be a hot "steel of the moment".

Sorry if I seem argumentative, but good 'ol wrought D2 tool steel is a great knife steel in my opinion, but is far from being the "steel du jour";) If you still disagree, no problem. I respect your opinions.

Thanks,
Jon
 
Another one for the Para Military, but you better act quick I think they are a limited production knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top