How is D2 steel for Traditional pocket carry?

D2 is great for everyday normal use as long as stain/rust resistance is concerned. I got two D2 blades : one developped a funky black spot after laying in a spill of wine overnight (all my fault... scrubbed it out to almost pristine and live with it. The edge is great and barely needs a touch up from time to time), the other has been used "reasonably" and does as the best stainless does. Awesome edge all the same and not the faintest spot of whatever. Guess it needs just a little care...
 
This has to be my favorite production knife steel choice in traditional patterns. I have a few Queens with D2, but also have Ontario, Kershaw and someone else's D2 offerings, not in a traditional pattern.

In my ultra sweaty pocket, I see a small dot of rust on occasion. But these easily come off, sometimes just with my fingernail. Love the stuff, makes a great work knife steel.

Robert
 
I find the Queen D2 a pig to sharpen in compariosn to my GEC's and even my stainless Case knives however it hasn't stopped my loving this one

been my EDC for the lst 5 years, if I carry anything else its extra -

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I like D2 for pocket carry. I don´t have any problems with rust or whatever. As others have mentioned - sharping can be a little tricky. But my advice in this point: Don´t let the blade(s) get too dull and keep the blade always keen sharp and it won´t be a big problem to keep that result for a long time.

I have a Queen Swell Center Whittler in D2 which is a great knife and sharpens a little harder than others. But the Lionsteel SR-1 (also D2 steel) with its convexed edge is challenge to sharpen -at least with regular stones, but it´s a modern knife and has nothing to do with the knives you are searching for.

D2 = :thumbup:
 
I use all my knives, and I'm a bit carefree with em too, I've yet to find any rust on any of my D2 folders. Go ahead and get yourself one, what did you have in mind?
 
Oh, I already have the knife...it's a Ken Erickson spear point edc in CPM-D2. I have one I've been carrying in CPM-154CM and I love it, was considering putting my fancier D2 one into play occasionally as well but wanted to check out the steel first.

Thanks again for all the feedback!
 
D-2 turns to red dust in my pocket in the summertime. In the winter, not too bad. I am a walking accelerated corrosion test platform. I hear that CPM D-2 and Friction Forged D-2 have more resistance to corrosion than garden variety D-2. I haven't had a chance to field test my Kershaw Tyrade (CPM D-2).View attachment 447376
 
I love d2 in a EDC folder. I find it resists rust very well and just feels nice to sharpen.
I would love to have a buck 110 in d2.
 
tiguy7 said:
D-2 turns to red dust in my pocket in the summertime. In the winter, not too bad. I am a walking accelerated corrosion test platform. I hear that CPM D-2 and Friction Forged D-2 have more resistance to corrosion than garden variety D-2. I haven't had a chance to field test my Kershaw Tyrade (CPM D-2).
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Traditional Forum=traditional knives, please.
 
A little rust inside the back spring. It's covered in break free too. Good stuff, but not my favorite. 154, 3-v, These are my personal favorites.
 
I have pocket carried a belt satin finish D2 and polished D2 blades for a few years.

No rust, or spots.

If one did show, and I did not want it I would just run it over my strop once or twice. But I like patina.
 
tiguy7 said:
D-2 turns to red dust in my pocket in the summertime. In the winter, not too bad. I am a walking accelerated corrosion test platform. I hear that CPM D-2 and Friction Forged D-2 have more resistance to corrosion than garden variety D-2. I haven't had a chance to field test my Kershaw Tyrade (CPM D-2).
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Me, too. If anyone can get a knife to corrode in their pocket, it is me.
This is also true for lower quality stainless watch backs, etc.

That being said, the least corrosion I have seen in D2 offerings is Queen's D2 on my large stockman. Like I said, a dot or two or rust on occasion but easily remedied. I don't know if it is because Queen polishes it up so well (although my Country Cousin isn't a masterpiece) or if they have something added to the mix somewhere.

The point is that D2 is a great steel for a traditional knife even under more adverse conditions like my pocket.

Robert
 
midnight flyer said:
Me, too. If anyone can get a knife to corrode in their pocket, it is me.
This is also true for lower quality stainless watch backs, etc.

That being said, the least corrosion I have seen in D2 offerings is Queen's D2 on my large stockman. Like I said, a dot or two or rust on occasion but easily remedied. I don't know if it is because Queen polishes it up so well (although my Country Cousin isn't a masterpiece) or if they have something added to the mix somewhere.

The point is that D2 is a great steel for a traditional knife even under more adverse conditions like my pocket.

Robert
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It's the polish. ;)

The 'non-traditional' knife pictured earlier looks like it has the bead-blast finish which has plagued other blades from the same maker with rusting issues, in other true 'stainless' steels as well. Less about the steel, and more about the particular finish. I agree, some individual 'body chemistry' issues can exacerbate the issue, but the finish on a particular blade makes a difference. Polished blades will always resist corrosion better than rougher finishes, with any given steel. Some time back, I put a high polish on my 'Carbone' Opinel No. 08's blade, and it has barely even taken a visible patina on it's own, much less rusted or spotted. That really hammered the point home, for me.


David
 
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I have made a few D2 knives, & given them to family members.
The knives left in the back of a draw have rusted badly.
The knives used regularly have no rust problems.
The knife I keep in my kitchen will rust if left in a puddle overnight, but the rust has no depth & wipes off.
 
Mtangent has it right on the nose. Your D2 knife will rust if you don't take care of it. If you ever fish for pickles with your knife, rinse it well. Pickle juice pitted my Queen D2 quite quickly. Best protection is probably a good patina.

If you are picky about the appearance of your custom knives, don't carry a D2 knife. However, if you don't care about permanent stains and a possible freckle or two, particularly stains and feckles inside, carry your D2 away :)
 
I like the idea of D2, but I don't like the edges I get with it. I favor a polished, fine edge on my knives. Not a strong point of this particular steel.

- Christian
 
I neck carry a Brous Blades Silent Soldier in D2 daily and it has never shown even a hint of rust. Even the patina is so subtle it is almost invisible.
 
D2 is may favorite steel in Traditional knives. Diamonds are D2's best friend.
 
kamagong said:
I like the idea of D2, but I don't like the edges I get with it. I favor a polished, fine edge on my knives. Not a strong point of this particular steel.

- Christian
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Respectfully disagree (I mean this; I've always respected your posts here, and still do). :)

It does take quite a bit longer to get it there, but D2 responds BEAUTIFULLY to careful, high-grit finishing. I've been tinkering with using hard-backed strops of textured paper, canvas or linen-over-wood, using diamond and/or aluminum oxide compounds. With the right choice of compound, a very firmly-backed strop is D2's best friend; 'softer' strops of leather or other similar material are more prone to rounding off D2's carbides, as the grit progression goes higher. With harder strops, I've yet to see how far D2 will go, in continuing to refine, refine and refine; it just keeps getting better. And it's only 'difficult' or tedious in establishing the first edge of good geometry and chosen finish; once it's there, it's a cinch to maintain on the same hard strops.

The flipside to all this is, because it will respond so well at higher finish, the fundamentals are also good to make it excellent at a coarser finish, which is easier to apply. I'm sure this is why many favor it at a coarser finish; it responds very well, and quickly. Coarse through EF diamond hones are perfect for D2, in sequence or individually, according to preference.

Edge retention is edge retention; it's a physical property of the steel itself, regardless of chosen edge finish. D2 will sing with whatever finish one chooses to throw at it, if one is patient enough to see it through. :thumbup:

So far, I've done all three blades on my Queen 'Cattle King' stockman, a Queen Country Cousin, a Buck 118 fixed blade (limited run in D2), and a Queen #92 fixed blade in their slightly older Carved Stag Bone; I keep tweaking them higher in edge finish (near-mirror or better), and it just keeps responding like gangbusters.


David
 
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slide13 said:
Oh, I already have the knife...it's a Ken Erickson spear point edc in CPM-D2. I have one I've been carrying in CPM-154CM and I love it, was considering putting my fancier D2 one into play occasionally as well but wanted to check out the steel first.

Thanks again for all the feedback!
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slide13, sorry to get off topic, but what knife is that in your avatar.
 
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