How is M2 as a knife steel?

J

jw2n

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Sep 22, 2009
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I have been looking at an older BM Nimravus in M2. I know it falls in the HSS category, with a Cr content similar to A2. I have never used M2 and I was curious as to anyones experrience or thoughts on this steel.
 
I like it.

Benchmade seemed to run its M2 a bit soft of the "optimum" hardness, but it still sharpens like a fine grain carbon steel should - great IMO.

I usually have at least one Benchmade knife with an M2 blade on or about my person.
 
Wow, I would have expected enormous input on this one.

M2 is worshipped by Benchmade fans, and there is a reason for that. It is exceptionally great steel the way they did it. I have a few old BMs in M2, but two are safe queens, and I've simply got better knives than the 'user' M2.

It seems to me that BM hardened M2 harder than they do M4. Hardness makes a big difference to me, so if I could find a worthy competitor to my M4 710, I wouldn't have to carry that LE as much as I do.

If you want to ask this question in the Benchmade forum, you will get plenty of info.
 
I don't have BM M4, but I had several BM M2 knives rehadrened by Phil Wilson, because all of them were in 59-60HRC range. Currently they all are 64HRC and that's where the steel truly shines.
Edge holding increased several times compared to stock and for light/medium cutting including steel wires and 0.22 thick Aluminum discs I didn't have a single chip.
More details in Super hard vs. soft edges and Importance of knife blade hardness articles.
 
No argument there. I got M4 from Phil Wilson, 65HRC ish.. Edge is about 12-14 per side and that thing just keeps going...
 
I have a homemade knife from M2 at about 65 HRC and it's a real cutter! It was made from an all-hard power hacksaw blade.
 
Fully hardened M2 is very nice. I have not tried BM's M2. My M2 knife from a power hacksaw blade is exceptional. I haven't tried CPM M4 either, but if its better than M2, I'll have to get a blade or 2.
 
How much does it generally cost to get a blade re-heat treated from a reputable company?

Did you have to strip the coating, and what did it look like when you got it back?

Thanks for any info. You really piqued my interest.
 
I have an old kitchen knife in M2 by Gerber. It is a great steel and holds an edge forever. I have a few Gerber hunting knives in this material, and it is really excellent. Gerber used to coat the blades in hard chrome.
 
elkins45 said:
I have a homemade knife from M2 at about 65 HRC and it's a real cutter! It was made from an all-hard power hacksaw blade.
Click to expand...

me2 said:
Fully hardened M2 is very nice. I have not tried BM's M2. My M2 knife from a power hacksaw blade is exceptional. I haven't tried CPM M4 either, but if its better than M2, I'll have to get a blade or 2.
Click to expand...

I've got a couple of knives also just like these guys, and they outperform almost any other knife that I have. M2 at 65-66 HRC is unbelieveable.
 
What really impressed me was the unexpected impact resistance. I batoned the knife into a 1x6 with a 4 lb hammer and hit it hard enough to dent the face of the hammer I think. No chipping, no dulling, no issues with the steel at all. The craptastic handle I had on the blade was a different story, but that was my first try. Also, the ability to hold a very fine edge is great, and the wear resistance is high enough to hold a working edge nearly forever.
 
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