How is D2 steel for Traditional pocket carry?

slide13

slide13

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I've had D2 fixed blade knives in the past and I love how the steel cuts and sharpens but I know it isn't as corrosion resistant as stainless steels like 154cm, ATS34, etc. I've never had a D2 folder that I carried and I'm curious how it does sitting in a pocket. Does it tend to get rust spots easily?

For knives that aren't stainless, does carrying in a leather slip sheath like the one from KSF help protect them better than loose pocket carry do you think?
 
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I have several D2 Queens that I carry and have never had one spot. They just get a very slightly darker grey patina, but very slowly. They are nearly stainless and a joy to cut with.
 
D2 has only 0.5 to 1% less chromium in it that a "true" stainless. That means that for all intents and purposes it behaves like stainless. I've never seen a spot of red on my D2, and mine's been surf fishing on the ocean with me.
 
I have a northwoods canoe in d2 in my pocket right now! It has a few spots but overall is a great steel
 
My Dozier D2 Small Folding Hunter has experienced lots of pocket sweat and humidity (restaraunt work), salt contact (water softener salt bags), has been left in wet pants overnight then laundered, and other abusive activities, and has only picked up a couple grey blemishes and a rather pleasing overall softer grey patina. It cuts and holds its edge magnificently. With the right edge geometry and heat treat, D2 is a favorite, folder or fixed.
 
I own several D2 knives and only one ever got any patina and it just turned a really nice dull grey.
 
Have never had an issue with D2 and I treat it the same as the rest of my knives, including 1095. An occasional wipe down when I happen to be thinking of it.

Buy it and use it...it's good stuff!
 
slide13 said:
I've had D2 fixed blade knives in the past and I love how the steel cuts and sharpens but I know it isn't as corrosion resistant as stainless steels like 154cm, ATS34, etc. I've never had a D2 folder that I carried and I'm curious how it does sitting in a pocket. Does it tend to get rust spots easily?

For knives that aren't stainless, does carrying in a leather slip sheath like the one from KSF help protect them better than loose pocket carry do you think?
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I sweat a lot when I'm working, if I carried a knife in a leather slip the knife would be wet a lot of the time.
Don't worry too much, spots just add character.
 
slide13 said:
I've had D2 fixed blade knives in the past and I love how the steel cuts and sharpens but I know it isn't as corrosion resistant as stainless steels like 154cm, ATS34, etc. I've never had a D2 folder that I carried and I'm curious how it does sitting in a pocket. Does it tend to get rust spots easily?

For knives that aren't stainless, does carrying in a leather slip sheath like the one from KSF help protect them better than loose pocket carry do you think?
Click to expand...

D2 can get rust spots, but not easily. I have a number of Queen knives in D2. I've had minor spotting on one or two. Nothing to speak of on the others.

I understand you can get it to patina if you try hard enough, but none of mine have done so.
 
It depends on the surface finish as well. Bead blast for example is more prone to rust than mirror finish, I've had even "stainless" get some surface rust on a bead blasted knife.
 
Somehow my friend let his d2 Skinner rust really badly. I don't know how though, cause I've let a couple of my d2 knives dry over a few days with liquids of all sorts on them. Also used them on meat, skinning, cooking, etc and no rust. I had some strange color change (not normal patina) but it wiped off with a sunshine cloth. Go for it.
 
One of my favorite steels overall, fwiw. I don't think you'll be disappointed. (Though it pays to keep the edge maintained to avoid a long sharpening session.)
 
My dad carried a D2 Queen that I gave him, and it developed a pretty good patina over time, but no rust. He used it for stuff like scraping grass off of a mower blade, etc., so he was not gentle with it. He was very impressed with the edge retention.
 
I got a couple of red spots after butchering a hog and leaving blood on the blade overnight - my fault. They both rubbed off easily with my thumb the next morning, and after I cleaned the blade, no problem whatsoever. Gone with no evidence of my forgetfulness.... I also like the patina that D2 develops over time.

Don't leave it soaking in hog blood, and you should be fine! :D
 
As Blues said, keep the edge maintained and you'll love the steel; at least I do.
I am slowly getting rid of my carbon folders, I sweat an unbelievable amount and also live on the coast, between the two my knives are rarely completely dry and the 1095 just develops rust too quickly for me to keep it at bay, especially in the springs.
D2 is great, it gives me enough leeway with maintenance to keep rust from forming until I can wipe my knives off and dry them thoroughly. Other than the BF forum knives I have sworn off 1095...at least for today :D
 
D2
Invest time and effort in sharpening an edge you want
Then maintain it with very light swipes on an Extra fine
Of the many D2 I own, I have never seen rust
 
Thanks for the feedback guys! Sounds like it does pretty good, I think I'll just keep an eye on it.

While I'd be fine with a little spotting on a GEC or Queen, the knife in question is a Ken Erickson with CPM-D2 and it's a beautiful knife. I haven't brought myself to pocket it yet, but I'm getting close (been carrying my other Erickson which is CPM-154CM).
 
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