M2 or D2 versus Carbon V

G

gud4u

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Jan 6, 2004
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My quandary is that I have a number of folders, mainly Spyderco and Benchmade folder with various stainless blades, but none of those blades take and hold an edge like my Cold Steel Carbon V blades.

I'm looking at the Benchmade 806 AFCK as a high quality folder that's well made with a good choice of tool-steel blade materials: D2 or M2.

With Carbon V as a benchmark for sharpness and toughness, should I choose D2 or M2 blade?

Thanks for your help!
 
As I understand it Carbon V is just the marketing term Cold Steel uses to describe its choices for high carbon steel. It can vary depending on what they chose to buy at any particular point, thus it is difficult to compare a known steel to it in a general sense.

If I were to choose a carbon steel folder it would probably be D2. Things can vary quite a bit with the heat treat methods, but D2 offers a great combination of edge retention, toughness, and stain resistance compared to M2. M2 would give you slightly better edge resistance on soft materials (but be more likely to chip on harder ones) but sacrifice quite a bit of toughness and stain resistance.
 
My two cents:

M2 if heat treated by Benchmade is not prompt to chip.
I got a Nimravus Cub and I was not able to have chip on the edge.

My D2 BM806 is a work horse and I am very happy with it.
I have open oysters with it without chipping the edge.

Try both...

Another steel you could stydu is VG10 !

cheers

JM
 
Carbon-V is most likely 0170-6C. I believe, but don't know for sure, that it's tougher than M2 and D2. It likely has less carbides and certainly has less chrome. Those two factors would make Carbon V easier to sharpen than M2 or D2.

The Benchmade 806 is only available in D2. It holds an edge really well and is really well-built knife. I like M2 better (it's tougher than D2, holds its edge a little longer, can take a finer edge, and is easier to sharpen on a Sharpmaker than D2), but that's only available on the discontinued liner-lock AFCK's.

I'm not a D2 fan (maybe it's because I don't own any Dozier knives?), but I'm a big fan of the 806D2 AFCK as a great, larger-sized all-around folder. It's built so well that it'd excel with most every steel type.

OTOH, if you want Carbon V in a folder, get a Cold Steel Trailguide. They're available in 3" or 4" blade lengths with both clip points or drop points and a full flat grind. For $18-30, what's not to love? If you're not a lefty, that is...
 
Carbon V is a nonstainless cutlery steel. It is easy to sharpen. M2 and D2 are tool steels and relatively hard to sharpen. If you want an alloy that compares to Carbon V for ease of sharpening and edge holding VG-10 stainless may be a better choice. Get yourself a Spyderco Calypso Junior Lightweight or a Delica with VG-10 blade. I think that you'll like it. It will also come from the factory with a killer edge.
 
Or you wait for the new BM red line. N690 is nearly the same alloy as VG 10.

To give my 2 cts: I don´t know M2, but D2 is hardly comparable to a carbon steel especially toughness and sharpness. Most people say D2= microsaw. So expect a rough but lasting edge. Good for using on hunting purposes. I guess, none of the higher alloied steels will come to carbon sharpness. They get sharp, but not as..

Regarding most reports, M2 should be a choice. It contains a mixture of larger and smaller carbides, so you get a strong, relative tough and hard edge.

The last experience i made with stainless was S30V and i really like this type. It is strong, tough, stays sharp for long, stainless, takes a fine edge. Not as fine as carbon, but really fine. Exept stainless, M2 should be the same with better hardness.
 
Benchmade has the M2 which I love in the 710hss with a 3.9" blade on a 4.5" handle. Great knife with one of the best blade length to handle ratios.
 
Thanks for your help, guys!

I was mistaken about the M2 offering for the 806, it's D2 only.

I ordered one.
 
I was looking at the Benchmade knives myself...

Which is better, the 710 in M2 or the 806 in D2? From the stuff I've read, it'd seem like the D2 is better, but the 806 has got the hole in the blade instead of the thumb stud. I've tried the 710 and it works for my hand very well and the thumb stud's comfortable. Unfortunately I've never tried the 806. Maybe I should get both? :)
 
Originally posted by MagnumLover
I was looking at the Benchmade knives myself...

Which is better, the 710 in M2 or the 806 in D2? From the stuff I've read, it'd seem like the D2 is better, but the 806 has got the hole in the blade instead of the thumb stud. I've tried the 710 and it works for my hand very well and the thumb stud's comfortable. Unfortunately I've never tried the 806. Maybe I should get both? :)
Click to expand...

At first I was going to say 'sure get both'.... But I bet if you got both you would probably prefer one over the other. Then the other one would sit used.

I really love the 806. But youve already tried the 710 and it seems to have agreed with you. Get the 710 now.
 
The 710 is an awesome knife, but I find the handle of the 806 to fit my hand better. I also have an old Eclipse folder which is shaped almost exactly like the 806. I now EDC a 732 Ares in D2. Very impressive steel so far. BUY EM ALL!!

Robb
 
Part of my preference for the 806 is that I also have an older BM Eclipse and Spyderco (Seki-made) Endura and a 440V Military. I really prefer the thumb-hole opener.
 
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