I hate D2 steel - it's overrated and rusts like crazy!!! Take my Ontario...

Yea, You need to keep D2 oiled. I just coated my BlackJack 7" (A2 tool steel) with Tuf Glide. It's got some spots on it. Carbon steel will do this. On the other side you can buy stainless. ;)



Rich K.
 
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Both of these are D2. Neither of them have any rust on them. Both are well over 15 years old and carried faithfully and daily. Can D2 rust, absolutely. But these have not.
 
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My only real experience with D2 is with two Medfords that I own; they have done quite well in terms of edge rentention. They are a bit more difficult to sharpen but not anything too terrible with diamonds. I live in the desert so rust isn't much of an issue for me, even in the summer when I sweat.

I have found that D2 seems to perform better when not taken to an ultra high grit/polish; I leave mine at about 800-1000 grit so it stays somewhat toothy.
 
Heffeb said:
I hate D2 steel - it's overrated and rusts like crazy!!! I'll tell you something else, too. I've got several Ontario Rat I and II knives in both D2 and AUS8 steel, and the AUS8 outperformed the D2 in every single category, including edge retention!!!

It is what it is...
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Can you describe your use with the AUS8 vs D2 Ontarios? Post some pics?

Maybe, just maybe the best done AUS8 could beat the worst done D2 in edge retention. Maybe. I find it difficult to believe that ontario excelled so well in their HT with one, yet failed so miserable in the other. Other anecdotal evidence available out there on the world wide web shows different results than what you claim, with these same knives from Ontario. That said, ontario isn't making either the D2 or AUS8 RATs but rather ordering them to a certain spec from manufacturers in Taiwan and China, so perhaps you got a bad example of either, one or the other, or the best example of one, or some combo.

Either way, your experience does not match my own personal experience, nor that of others. It's worth figuring out why.

shane45-1911 said:
Says the guy who states "The best fixed blade edc knife is the ESEE Xancudo in S35VN steel."

I take everything you say with a grain of salt, as all your posts are borderline trolling.

There is nothing wrong with D2 when heat treated correctly and with suitable edge geometry. In fact, my opinion is that quality D2 is actually under-rated.
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Got some real Lasador vibes going on. Make outrageous claims and let the cause ensue! lol
 
rustyspike said:
Yea, You need to keep D2 oiled. I just coated my BlackJack 7" (A2 tool steel) with Tuf Glide. It's got some spots on it. Carbon steel will do this. On the other side you can buy stainless. ;)



Rich K.
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A2 is far more prone to rust than D2. I've hear D2 described as a semi stainless.

The more difficult claim from the OP is that AUS8 beat D2 in edge retention. Something isn't right there.....
 
Here's a Queen Barlow in D2, that lost it's handle emblem after going through the washing machine in one of my pockets, not a spot of rust on it.
And a Schatt & Morgan stockman in carbon steel, that needs a good buffing as it is starting to show rust on the sheeps foot, after some admitted neglect, both have seen plenty of pocket time btw.
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If your d2 "rusts like crazy", when many of us have even simpler carbon steels that still have yet to rust after years, then quite simply you need to learn to take better care of your knives.
...
It is what it is...

*(ETA- does anyone know where I can get a new queen logo handle insert?)
 
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strategy9 said:
Here's a Queen Barlow in D2, that lost it's handle emblem after going through the washing machine in one of my pockets, not a spot of rust on it.
And a Schatt & Morgan stockman in carbon steel, that needs a good buffing as it is starting to show rust on the sheeps foot, after some admitted neglect, both have seen plenty of pocket time btw.

If your d2 "rusts like crazy", when many of us have even simpler carbon steels that still have yet to rust after years, then quite simply you need to learn to take better care of your knives.
...
It is what it is...

*(ETA- does anyone know where I can get a new queen logo handle insert?)
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I suspect contacting Queen cutlery is the only option, it’s common with glued in shields they use, had one come loose on a queen copperhead but luckily found it and glued it back in.

As for the D2 original post, I love D2, I don’t have rust issues unless I’m sweating heavily and don’t keep it oiled, even then it’s only minor spotting. It’s one of my favorite steels. Feels good on a stone and holds a good edge, also bites well when sharp.
 
Do they still make Schaefer? I haven't had one since I was a teenager!
 
I don't like D2. I haven't had much trouble with rust, but it is hard to sharpen relative to its edge holding. And I find it to be very chippy too. It's not a bad steel, but it just isn't really good at anything either, and there are much better budget options. I'll take 14c28n, Nitro-V, AEB-L, or 154cm over D2 any day of the week. D2 is a non-starter for me.
 
ktataragasi said:
Body chemistry seems to be a large factor. I've never rusted any blade. I've had/used c75, 1095, Maxamet, K390, m2, M4 and had no issues. Other people rust S35vn.... The good news is that aus8 is a good steel when done right and there are many good budget options available.
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Must be. Earlier this year, I started a new job working in a kitchen (very hot in the summer.) I bought a D2 version Rat 1, with the sole purpose of trying to get it to rust (and use as a daily beater.) I carried it for weeks without any care, and all I was able to manage to do to it was get a couple tiny brown spots near the pivot area where I’m guessing moisture sits.
It seems more difficult to get it to rust (naturally) than it would be to just wipe it off once or twice a week lol
 
I have had more rust issues with Cold Steel Aus8 steel than any of my quality D2 to be honest. I have a Finn wolf that rusted like crazy if not being cared for on a weekly basis. My D2 PM that I posted earlier got almost no "care" and is still pretty spotless except for the broken tip. That was from dropping it from a ladder onto pavement.

As others have said already. Most steels, IMHO, will rust or tarnish or discolor based on how a manufacturer treats it. D2 has been a proven steel for many years. If given the choice I wouldn't chose it over a true stainless steel but it is still proven in my daily carry.
 
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