How well do Ka-bar heat treat?

[Livebythesword]

Does anybody know anything about how well Ka-bar heat treat their D2? I mean, is it really bad compared to the likes Benchmade or is it satisfactory. Any response is appreciated.

 

[gine]

I am not sure about d2, but their aus8a was soft like butter.I had a mule
folder and I hit the edge on a cardboard box and it rolled over slightly.:thumbdn:

 

[knarfeng]

Does anybody know anything about how well Ka-bar heat treat their D2? I mean, is it really bad compared to the likes Benchmade or is it satisfactory. Any response is appreciated.

According to the KaBar web site, they heat treat D2 to
60-61 for the D2 Dozier Folder.
59-60 for the D2 Impact Spearpoint.
59-60 for the D2 Extreme/Fighting Utility knife.

According to the Benchmade website, they harden D2 to 57-61.

Sounds OK to me.


BTW, the KaBar website does state that they run most of their AUS8 soft. Their AUS8 Regular Dozier folders spec says 56-58, which is a bit softer than Benchmade runs their AUS8.

I have a KaBar Large Dozier in AUS8 and have had no problems. The blade on mine was measured at 59 HRC.

 

[Boats]

My four 1095 Ka-Bars have all been excellently done regarding the heat treat, so I don't see why they would screw up a D2 blade made in New York.

The AUS-8 on the Mules was almost certainly heat treated elsewhere.

 

[savagesicslayer]

I have chopped trees with my D2 extreme without any problems.I have found Ka-Bar's heat treat to be top notch.

 

[Livebythesword]

This is the one I had in mind.

It is made in Taiwan. What a shame, it would have suited my needs perfectly.