Need Help: Griptillian in D2 or 154CM

[Preacher Man]

I need help. I'm thinking of getting a Griptilian. I have a Cabelas store close by where I can get the D2 model. Choosing between D2 and 440C is a no brainer. But it seems that Benchmade changed the steel they used in the Griptiliam. In a resent gun show all the Griptilians I found were made of 154CM. Now, that's a tougher choice, specially since I do not own any knife in either steel, so I have no experience with them.

The knife is intended as an EDC, but also for camping and general outdoor/utility use. Any comments or experience with either steel will be apreciated.

 

[orthogonal1]

I find D2 easier to get a "good" edge on when sharpening.

That would be my deciding factor if price is +-$15.

 

[katsu]

Both the 154CM and D2 are great from Benchmade.
I have been able to get edges sharp enough to shave off the ridges of fingerprints with both.
The only difference I have noticed between them is D2 holding the edge a bit longer.

 

[DGG]

I don't think you could go wrong with any Grip regardless of steel. If you want to win a few bets with 440-C bet that it has more stain resistent chromium than the other guys knife steel does. 440-C still has enough carbon to reach an Rc-60 hardness which means it will hold a good edge for a long time. Benchmade makes great 440-C knives, IMHO. 154CM/ATS34 steel is just a very close sister of 440-C steel. D2 steel is a different animal entirely being a tool steel.

Here is a link that is techy but has some neat comparisons of various knife steels. It is really geared more to the knife maker but I found it interesting.

http://www.ajh-knives.com/metals.html