RAT D2 steel

Moloko Plus

Moloko Plus

Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
653
Hi,

Just a general question - I know RAT used D2 for a couple of their Ontario-produced models. Does anyone know how well it performed versus the 1095 versions?

And a spinoff question from that - are there any intentions of using D2 for any future models, or has RAT and D2 steel parted ways for good?

IMO D2 is a nice steel and I just wanted to know more about RAT's use of it (and possibly even their opinion of it).

Thanks for any and all input!
 
I have a few D2 s and I like them for toughness but hate when I have to sharpen them not quick not ez definently need diamond stone can't find diamond stone in field 1095 soft enough could probably use a flat rock that could be found
 
I just reprofiled the edge on my RC6,in 1095.I doubt a flat rock would have done it.I used 12"diamond bench stones and was happy to have them.
 
D2 has good and bad properties but 1095 with a great heat treat ( rat cutlery and rowen) will be all you need.
 
You can view an interesting comparison of D2 and 1095 steels using the same knife design at www.knifetests.com. They test both the KaBar USMC in 1095 and the KaBar D2 Extreme in D2 steel. Watch both tests and see how the steels perform on the same type of tests.
 
I have a RAT 3 in D2. Not a bad blade at all. Holds an edge for a long time. It has been retired in favor of my RC-3:D
 
since we are on the topic, are there any considerations for steels other than 1095?

A2, 0-1, CPM 3V, et cetera ???
 
I've seen d2 snap in the cold, I like to camp and hunt when its cold. D2 is useless to me, no matter how well it hold an edge, if i need to baby it. The rowen heat treatment of RAT's 1095 is amazing, nothing more is needed. Exotic steels come in and out of fashion, but god carbon has always been the serious user's choice for outdoor tasks.
 
Flat rock will sharpen 1095. Easy. Reprofiling isn't something I see myself doing in the middle of a survival situation.
 
I have a number of TAK's, and the one I just sold a while ago was the D2 version. I just found it harder to keep an edge on in the woods, and I know of at least one D2 TAK that shattered during very cool weather batoning (nutnfancy video..? maybe).

My TAK has pretty much been retired in favor of the Izula or RC blade, thou it is a wonderful knife.
 
Steels are a funny thing. Jeff likes to talk about a no-bullshit company and designer steels are pretty much an all bushit exercise. I mean everybody is sold on the romance that a new super steel will just absolutely outperform the old standards. Yes, there are scientific tests that can show differences in properties of steels. However, for the most part, the factors that really count in cutlery performance are the grind, the edge geometry, the quality of the steel stock and the heat treat.

It always seems that everyone from seller to buyer gets so spastic about the 'I got the new steel of the month' badge that all they can do is wavy their shiny and pristine piece of metal in the air and then repeat, over and over and over and over and over again the supposed specs of latest and greatest wonder metallurgy. Then of course, like clockwork, 6 mo later, an even greater wonder of metallurgy pops out. Hmm, it seems your designer steel of last month is simply compared to the old standards again.

Time and time again, makers of excellent repute have told me, if you buy a knife from a maker who offers multiple steel choices, ask them which one they've been using the longest and go with that choice. Personally, I think that is good enough for me.

BTW D2 was perhaps made famous by Bob Dozier. I wouldn't bat an eye to have a genuine Dozer blade and it if came down to a D2 or a 1095 out of his shop, I'd go for D2.

I do recall at one point, R.A.T. toying with the possibility of 440C. I think that would be a good choice for SS. Low cost and proven performance.
 
kgd said:
I do recall at one point, R.A.T. toying with the possibility of 440C. I think that would be a good choice for SS. Low cost and proven performance.
Click to expand...

Now, that would be interesting & a good choice in SS blade steel, IMHO, if RC wanted to come out with a knife in SS.

As for the D2 question, I think the D2 on the RAT 3 is not a bad choice, but I feel the 1095's a better choice for the larger models. 1095's tougher, & has been said, it's easier to sharpen in the field.
 
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