HELP!!! M2 vs. D2 vs. A2 vs. 5160 vs. BG42, etc.

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Pergatory

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Aug 15, 2000
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Hello.
I am considering buying a stryker with M2 steel, just so that I can get a knife with really strong steel. I haven't heard much about this steel, so I don't really know what it's strengths are when you use it for a blade.
I would like to know what experiences other folks such as yourself have had with this steel, and how it racks up to other steels.
I am also curious as to how this blade will hold up to the Buck/Strider, especially edge retention.
I would also like other suggestions on other production blades that use super steels. A few I know of: D2 Sifu, M2 AFCK, D2 Ka-Bars.
thanks. Ed
 
In M2 Benchmade knives, I would opt for the AFCK myself (and did). That blade profile shows off what M2 can do better then a thicker knife like a Stryker.

For other knives, look over the Spyderco line. They offer great knives which are available in most, if not all, the super steels.

If you do a search on the forums, you will find many reviews on M2 steel Benchmades including one done with an AFCK that was punched through a car hood many times with little, if any, damage.
 
I have three knives in BG-42. One is a Sebenza. The other two are PCKS Bucks. One is a 110. The other is a 560. I'm in love with BG-42. It's pretty rust resistant, sharpens fairly easily, and holds a wicked edge like crazy!!!!

I tested my first D2 this weekend, on a Dozier. Wow!!! If anybody tells you that D2 can't be sharpened to a nice edge, they didn't try a Dozier!!! I beat the heck out of that D2, and it didn't even notice.
 
My experience with M2 is limited to BM's 710HS. I have had no problems with corrosion though the humidity is high here, and I work in an environment that is full of corrosives. Part of this is probably due to the fact that I carry the knife in a horizontal belt rig, and it doesn't get covered in sweat like it would in my pocket (however, a couple of my coworkers' BM ATS-34/154CM knives have shown rust from pocket carry, and I'm sure my 710HS would as well-my ATS-34 Nimravus showed rust after being carried IWB for a couple of days, too).
I don't see any significant advantage in edge-holding over ATS-34, which kind of disappoints me, since M2 is harder to sharpen, in my limited experience.
The big difference that I do see is in toughness. The M2 blade does not chip easily, and rolls from impacts that would chip ATS-34. I have used the 710HS harder than I ever did my ATS-34 AFCK, partially because of the Axis lock, and partially just to see how M2 would hold up. Has held up great. Haven't chipped it yet, either (not that I'm trying to).

My only BG-42 experience is with a small Sebenza. I compare it to ATS-34/154CM. Not much harder to sharpen. Holds an edge a little longer. Resists corrosion better. Haven't used the knife for anything that I would call abusive, so don't know about chipping. I like it enough that I have a small custom fixed blade on the way in BG-42. Had changed it to D2, but changed it back after deciding that corrosion resistance was more important to me in a small knife than toughness. Plus, I really like the "feel" of BG-42 if that's vague enough.

My D2M neck knife hasn't been used enough for me to even be able to comment on the steel, other than the fact that it takes a great edge, and I've had no corrosion problems though I wear it and sweat all over it daily.

Haven't used D2, A2, or 5160, so no comments there.
 
I've used Benchmade M-2 knives a lot, and I think that Benchmade's M-2 is one of the best hard-use knife blade steels you can buy on a folding knife. But Benchmade's M-2, REKAT's modified D-2, Buck's BG-42, etc. are all in the same premium category, and the only real differentiator between them is probably a little added stain resistence for the BG-42, so I would buy the knife you like the most irrespective of the blade steel.

Having said that, the 910HS is an impressive knife. The handle is extremely ergonomic, the blade is strong, and the examples I had cut very well once properly sharpened. I am a fan of this knife even though it is a chisel blade profile. You can sharpen the "secondary" point until it is a nice round shape, and the knife will cut just like a conventional curved profile. I would stack up the 910HS against any other liner lock "tactical" folder, regardless of price, for toughness and strength.

The only reason I no longer own one is that the 910 is a liner lock and there is no reason not to carry the 730 or the REKAT Pioneer instead.
 
As been said before, it's the heat treat that makes the difference. It's not quite as...difficult, in non stainless steels. I have three BG-42 blades, all sharpened at 30 degrees, one of them is disappointing at this angle, it tends to chip. All three were heated by well known people.

Heat treat and edge geometry play a large role in any blade, many times they are more important than the type of steel. Depends on the use.


Steve-O
 
I have owned numerous folders over the last 10 years, mostly Spydercos, EDI, Rekat and Benchmades and other misc. stuff, with ATS 34 blades. And depending on the heat treat, I can get them all razor sharp with a Sharpmaker. My current rotation is a Benchmade 710HSS, a Dozier Tab-lock #1 and a NICA Sebenza. I have started to prefer the premium steels, like M2 and D2. The Sebenza, BG-42, gets scary sharp, too.
My main beef these days is the unreliability of liner locks. I wish that companies and custom makers would jump on the Axis-ype lock bandwagon. So with that being said, the 710HSS in M2 with the Axis lock is a pretty tough cookie. And in my experience, fit and finish of Benchmade is much better than the Rekat's. I wasn't too impressed with the D2 Carnivore. If you want a D2 blade, you can't go wrong with Dozier's heat treat. I have also tried one of Kabar's D2 folders...I'll also pass on that one.
If I had limited knife funds, I would stick with the M2 Benchmade 710.
Fortunately for me, I have enjoyed the luxury of owning the Benchmade, Dozier and the Sebenza.
Good luck choosing!
Barry H
 
I own a benchmade mini-afck and a 710 in M2 and I can't say enough good things about these blades. I've owned a ton of ats-34 and it's good but my M2 blades hold their edge I think noticably longer and I do not find them difficult to get a wonderful edge with. These are great EDC and they get a work out, believe me. No experience with BG-42 so I can't subjectively comment on that one.
 
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