Question about sharpening Buck's D2

rje58

rje58

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Dec 21, 2013
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There are a few knives that Buck offers that I am considering buying. My choice basically comes down to the Heritage models in D2, or the standard models in 420HC. I have a Pathfinder Pro, so I think that's all the Buck S35VN I'll be able to afford, at least for the foreseeable future, especially since I have more than one additional knife in mind. I like the way the handles look on the Heritage models, but they won't look good to me for long if I am struggling to get a really good edge on the D2 blades.

My question is: I have a few pocket knives (not Buck) in D2, and most of them are a pain to sharpen. I can get a decent edge if I work at it, but getting a really sharp edge is a challenge, and I've got a couple of D2 pocket knives that I finally just said "to heck with it, that's as much work as I care to invest, that working edge will have to do".

What has been your experience sharpening Buck D2 steel? Is it difficult? Can you get a really good edge on it, without spending excessive amounts of time to do it? I understand that everybody's sharpening skills and experiences vary, but I'm just asking for your opinion.
 
I have limited experience with sharpening D2, and other than for the sake of having a different variant of the standard Buck fixed blade models I accumulate, as a user knife the 420HC blade is overall a better choice, for all of the reasons you've mentioned regarding D2.

I've bought several D2 knives... I wanted to put a better edge on the 212 Ranger I bought from SKBlades, I gave up.
 
It’s been said many times “D2 takes a horrible edge and holds it forever”. The secret is that it just takes more finesse. It usually wire edges badly and the damn burr on it flops back and forth forever before it comes off.

The way I handle it is I sharpen it pretty much how I sharpen any other steel (but using diamonds), then after I think it should be sharp I turn it in just a tooch for a couple strokes to swipe that burr off. Then I strop the bloody hell out of it and that works. D2 loves the strop.

D2 takes some futzing to get it sharp, but once you do it stays that way a good while. In my opinion it’s a good steel that’s finicky to sharpen.
 
I only have one Buck in D2. I have only had to sharpen that knife twice, So, my experience is limited. I had no issue putting just as refined edge on it as on the regular 420. I use one of Norton's coarse stones to build up a burr. I use Spyderco's Sharpmaker to knock it off and I strop with an leather strap. I had an import knife supposedly in D2 that I was unable to put an adequate edge on. No idea why other than it wasnt D2 or it had an improper heat treat.
 
To all who responded, I really appreciate the input and help! I understand more about D2 based on your feedback, and maybe I'll tackle some later, but all that extra work makes me think I'll be happier with 420HC for the foreseeable future. I guess the only thing I'll miss are the pretty handles on those Heritage models. I know what I'm getting with Buck's 420HC, and even if I have to sharpen it a little more, it's quick work to get back to a great edge.
 
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