Getting To The Bottom of CFK-USA D2

[Confederate]

I've been following a number of the “handmade“ or “custom“ quality D2 knives on eBay and recently ordered two, which I've yet to actually see or handle. The company, as many of you know, is CFK-USA, a company I checked out here before buying. I, too, have strong doubts about many of the aspects related by the company and suspect the sawbladed pig-stickers you see on eBay were actually pig-stickers long before they ever saw the White Cliffs of Dover! But more salient is the claim of the steel being D2, but here's where I'm confused. Isn't there anyone on this forum who can determine what kind of steel these knives are made from? Or, perhaps more easily, how hard they really are?

I bought two large knives from the company knowing what I was getting into. Why? Because of the size and configuration of the blades. I liked them. I wanted a knife or two with 9-10-inch blades and I was willing to spend the modust sums, even if the blades were 420-something (after all, if it's good enough for Buck it's good enough for Buck!). At the same time, if the steel was actually D2, it might be as easy as leaving one of the blades in a hot, humid environment in the rainy season. If it's D2, wouldnt it tend to rust more readily than cheap stainless? But how much more readily? I've never worked with D2. I also have a friend who may be able to ascertain the blade's Rockwell hardness. If it's not 59 or above (and if it's significantly less), we can say with some certainty that there's something shady going on. On the other hand, I've seen lots of Pakistani knives, and if these blades are being made there, the blades look top-tier. But there are two many imperfections for them to be production knives. But I have no clue as to what's going on with this company. On its website, the reviews all seem to have been written by people who make the same types of grammatical and spelling mistakes and the same depth of reviews.

 

[coinbuysell]

I bought a 1095 tracker and a 440c hunter about a year ago (or more) from them and they seemed to be what they advertised, with good f&f, but I moved them before I ever used them so I would also love to know what others think about them...the tracker was a little too gimmicky (but I made a few $$$ on it when they were HOT at a show) and I gave the hunter to my brother-in-law who has not used it (as far as I know) since he has a favorite hunter that he usually uses.

I have bid on a couple of the D2's but not high enough to win one since I am leery enough of them to not "bid to win" just bid where if I get it I won't be too disappointed if it bites.

 

[knarfeng]

what kind of steel these knives are made from? Or, perhaps more easily, how hard they really are?
At the same time, if the steel was actually D2, it might be as easy as leaving one of the blades in a hot, humid environment in the rainy season. If it's D2, wouldnt it tend to rust more readily than cheap stainless? But how much more readily? I've never worked with D2.

I also have a friend who may be able to ascertain the blade's Rockwell hardness. If it's not 59 or above (and if it's significantly less), we can say with some certainty that there's something shady going on. On the other hand, I've seen lots of Pakistani knives, and if these blades are being made there, the blades look top-tier. But there are two many imperfections for them to be production knives. But I have no clue as to what's going on with this company. On its website, the reviews all seem to have been written by people who make the same types of grammatical and spelling mistakes and the same depth of reviews.

IIRC, Queen hardens D2 to 58-59, Folks like Benchmade usually run it on the high side of 60. Not sure that hardness would be a good determining factor for you.

I've had D2 blades spot just sitting on my dresser if I don't oil them. Much less stain resistant than any kind of cheap stainless, but much more stain resistant than carbon steel. Kind of unique, so it might be a good indicator.