Is D2 a good choice for a 7" field knife?

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Kevin Deaton

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May 7, 2000
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I have been considering one of Bob Dozier's Battle Bowies, but I'm not sure how good D2 is for a large knife. I am assuming the knife is made of 1/4" stock. Will it have enough impact resistance for chopping? I know 7" is not a great length for a chopper, but it made need to be used in this fashion at some point. Also, how does it compare to say A2 in toughness?

Thanks,
Kevin
 
That would be an excellent field knife. I have D2 utility knives and like them a lot. I'm not a steel expert so I can't give you a good answer to the D2 vs. A2 toughness question. I've seen some swordmakers use A2, but don't know whether there would be much difference in a 7" knife.

DPD.
 
Kevin,

Phillip and I have made several combat and field grade knives out of D2 steel. The blade lengths have ranged from 6" to 8-1/2". They were all flat ground with somewhat (but not too) beefy edges. They were all on the lower end of the Rockwell hardness levels for a knife out of D2.

What most people don't seem to realize is that the blade geometry and the heat treat are the most important factors when considering a blade for heavy use. OK, handle comfort plays a big role too. You can't expect a thinly ground blade that is hardened to a high hardness to take the pounding that a softer (but not too soft), thicker blade will take.

I am not sure about Bob Doziers Battle Bowie since I have not seen one up close to make any judgements. I would suggest you give Bob a call and ask him a few questions about his heat treat and his edge geometry. I am sure he will help you. He is one heck of a nice guy and a very talented maker.

BTW, Bob Dozier has a reputation for making some outstanding knives in D2. He must be doing something right.

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Barry
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[This message has been edited by BARRY JONES (edited 05-24-2001).]
 
Kevin Deaton:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Will it have enough impact resistance for chopping?</font>
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That would depend on how hard you are chopping, the kind of wood, the size, and the condition that it is in. As well of course as to how much of it you are planning on doing. Even the knives that I have seen fail on small diameter dead/frozen hardwoods took a mimimum of 500 full power swings, others were around 2500+ .

[D2]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Also, how does it compare to say A2 in toughness?</font>
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At a similar RC, its impact toughness rates about half that of A2 on both on both Charpy V and C notch tests.

In regards to Dozier, does the bowie have a hollow grind, if so that is the worst profile you can have in regards to edge strength (twisting) as well as lateral impacts, which may or may not be of importance to you. Does cut well for shallow cuts though, or deep cuts through nonbinding materials.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 05-25-2001).]
 
Not to beat the issue to death but, HEAT TREAT and BLADE PROFILE are the keys to success or failure.

Do you have a link to a picture and specs for the knife you are considering? I may be mistaken but, believe Dozier uses 3/16th stock which, will probably make the knife a little light for chopping.

I sold a Shadow 4 (5 1/2 inch spearpoint), CRK One Piece knife, made from A-2 steel to a military pilot. He used that knife pry with out failure or damage so far. He has used rocks and logs to pound the knife through other logs to split them for a camp fire. It is 3/16th thick at the spine and hollow ground.

Stay Sharp,
Sid
 
Sid; do you think that the hollow ground knife you mention has survived being pounded through logs because of, or in spite of, its' blade profile??

Walt
 
I have two blades in D2, one a 7" Ka Bar. I have to say as the 59-60 Rc scale of hardness I think D2 is reasonably tough enough for most general tasks. I have not had any impacting or chipping damage when using it to chop, the serrations work very well as well for the tough stuff. I don't think you will have much to wory about, Bob D knows his D2! For sure!

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Wayne.
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In fact, Dozier will build his knives from A2 for the very reason of toughness for larger, hard use knives, on a custom basis.

I know he'll do the Bowie and the Ranger out of A2, and don't know if he charges extra (if so, it may be trivial, like $20).

Bob hollow grinds his blades. My Ranger is not that thinly ground like the hunting knives are, but you could always ask if he'd do it either flat ground, or hollow with a big (say 10") wheel and leave the final edge profile thickness somewhat thicker right behind the final edge.

Crucible lists A2 as being about twice as tough as D2 with about a 15-20% compromise in edge holding (specified at Rc58/61, kind of a wide range). "Toughness" metric at Crucible is impact toughness via Charpy notch test.

Bob treats D2 to Rc60-61, which is pretty hard, but results in great edge retention. He could pretty easily do A2 to any hardness you wish simply through the tempering process...say maybe Rc57-58. Ask him what he recommends. Example, Chris Reeve does Rc55-57 on his one piece range for reasons of toughness. Just know that edge holding is primarily related to Rockwell hardness, and secondarily but fairly strongly to alloy content. So if you go too soft (I personally think Rc55-57 is a bit soft since A2 is pretty tough already).

So, without much direct experience myself, I'd lean to A2 if you do think the knife will see high impact, chopping kind of use. I suspect that Dozier also has mastered the A2 heat treat like he has D2, and that the edge holding will still be excellent.



[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 05-25-2001).]
 
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