How Does BM D2 Hold Up?

D

Don M

Joined
Apr 30, 2000
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How does Benchmade's D2 hold an edge, compared with other known steels? This would be especially useful if direct comparison testing has been done. If you can compare with BM 154CM, or Spyderco's VG-10, Buck's BG-42, or other known steels.

I am looking for edge holding for general cutting chores, not chopping or other very hard use.
 
Benchmade's D2 holds its edge longer than 154CM on light-to-medium cutting chores. At least, it does in my 806D2. Don't know how it compares to VG-10. Saw a review by Cliff Stamp where it outlasted VG-10, but that review compared AG Russell brand fixed-blade knives to each other and may not be representative of the D2 and VG10 in Benchmade and Spyderco brand folders.
 
From my experience, D2 from Queen is a great steel for edge holding. I have been doing a lot of whittlin' of wood, and here are the steels that I have used, in order of edge holding:

Aus 8
1095
Carbon V
BG 42
D2

D2 being the best. I am waiting for a small Sebenza in S30V, and am very excited about that.

These are very seat of the pants, but I think the ranking is pretty accurate.

For what it's worth, anything equal to or above 1095 is very, very good. I think it's hard to beat 1095 in price/performance, it really is one of my favorite steels. It will do things like chop well, which D2 won't do. But since you wanted edge holding....

-- edited for speeling....:eek:
 
In Benchmades, D2 holds its edge slightly better than 154CM, and slightly better than VG10 from Spyderco or William Henry, IME. Not much better than VG10, but noticeable. In order of edge holding:

D2
VG10
154CM

Additionally, even after it has lost its initial edge, it still has quite a bit of toothiness left, as does VG10, biting into thing like wood quite well (particularly whittling). But the 154CM seems to lose its toothy edge. None of them get particularly dull, mind you. Just that toothiness is there in the D2 and VG10. Oddly enough, it seems that M2 tends to act like 154CM, except that it takes FOREVER for it to lose its initial sharpness. That stuff is amazing. The only thing I've used that would cut more cardboard than M2 without dragging was Talonite.
 
I agree to what was said above, but like to add, that D2 from BM takes a smooth edge, easily, but gets some very small notches after cutting things like cardboard. You fell them with your fingernail, but won´t see them.

I tested it on various bevels (40°, 30°) always the same. Just one or two and the notches remain nearly forever, not wearing away or getting bigger. Seems to be the fact, that D2 has some large carbides, that may break out while using.
 
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