S30V or D2?

M

merlin

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
21
After much research, I have pretty much decided to order a #6 drop point 4.25" fixed blade from Gene Ingram. Now I need to decide whether to go for D2 or S30V.

The main uses will be for camp chores, and if need be such things as constructing a quick shelter and building a fire in an emergency.

I often go solo kayaking on lakes and rivers in fairly remote areas, and already have a serrated rescue knife (Spyderco Rescue Jr.) in my PFD pocket, and a folding knife (Ritter Grip) and Leatherman Wave in a drybag.

The new knife will be carried in a drybag whilst on the water, and in a pack on land.

I want the blade to be durable, easily sharpened, and hold and maintain a sharp edge. I also carry a credit card-size extrafine diamond stone for field sharpening.

Many thanks for any input.

-merlin
 
Gene is a very capable knifemaker. Perhaps you could ask him. Usually a maker knows the strengths and weaknesses of a given steel or steels he/she uses.
 
Gene's reply to this question was, "Both D2 and S30V take and hold edges well without a lot of work. You will not not be disappointed in either."

So in a way I was still left in a quandary. Hence my question on the forum.
 
I've nevre handled S30V (blasphemy!! :p ), so I can't speak to it, but I do have a BM Griptilian in D2. From my experience with it, the D2, with BM's heat treat and hardness level, is a decent steel that will take an awesome edge and keep it well, without rusting easily. However, mine can be a bit brittle, too, and it took a bit of practice to learn how to sharpen it. Hmmm... I think that, all told, D2 would make a good choice for your intended purpose.
 
Gene's reply to this question was, "Both D2 and S30V take and hold edges well without a lot of work. You will not not be disappointed in either."
Click to expand...

Okay, I see your problem. Gene is right, but you need elaboration.

From my experience with both steels they seem to hold an edge fairly closely.
I've used each in rope cutting, cardboard cutting, garden pruning and processing kitchen veggies and the only difference I see is 30V resists onion staining better than D-2. Big whoop, huh? :D :yawn: :barf:

Hopefully, somebody with greater experience with using both head-to-head will show up and give you a more concise appraisal.
 
I recommend the S30V.

I don't think that you will notice much difference in actual useage, but the S30V will probably be easier to sharpen in the field and you will not have to worry much about rust.

I know that you said the knife would be in a drybag while on the water and the backpack while on land--but Mr. Murphy is always there, just waiting for a chance to strike.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
I have about 8 of Gene's knives, and 2 more coming. One is in O1, one in S30V, and the remainder are D2. I am a fan of Gene's D2, but there ain't no flies on S30V.

I prefer putting an edge on D2 then alot of my other knives. Haven't had to put one on the S30V yet.

Bet that didn't help. Flip a coin.
 
That's the same kind of uses I had in mind for my knife from Gene. I went with S30V. I have a hunter from Gene in D2 as well, I decided on S30V because of better stain resistance. I use a super fine diamond stone on mine and it takes and keeps a scary sharp edge. It's also very tough. I designed this one myself and it's a little different but I love it. The blade on mine is also 4.25".



 
Hi, and thanks for the response. I just went ahead and ordered the #6 in S30V with matte black micarta handle and lanyard hole. Now I have to wait almost 5 months for delivery.....

What diamond stone are you using? What angle are you using for sharpening?

And did the knife come with a lanyard, or did you make one out of paracord?

Thanks!

-merlin
 
Good choice. S30V is tougher, more wear resistant, and more stain resistant.
I used to debate between BG-42 and D2(and I like them both), but S30V made it a moot point. I really don't think you'll see much difference in actual use either way...
More is relative, the differences aren't that big.
 
If it was me (and available) I'd go carbon. I've asked recently about a D2 for general camp chores (shelter, light batoning), and as I was thinking, people there including B.Dozier himself answered me that while a D2 (at 60RC) would be capable it was not recommanded. As far as I know D2 is said being sharper (better edge, better edge retention) while S30V is said being tougher while being pretty good in edge retention (but not as good as D2). I've tested D2 at 60 and I'll second it is sharp (I did not try to abuse it so I won't comment about toughness). I've not tested S30V, but I have used S60V and while not bad I can't say I was impressed with edge retention (as I avoid abusing blades for no reasons I can't say too much about toughness, but general tests you see around here state it is pretty tough).
 
merlin said:
Hi, and thanks for the response. I just went ahead and ordered the #6 in S30V with matte black micarta handle and lanyard hole. Now I have to wait almost 5 months for delivery.....

What diamond stone are you using? What angle are you using for sharpening?

And did the knife come with a lanyard, or did you make one out of paracord?

Thanks!

-merlin
Click to expand...


I'm using a small eze-lap stone and keeping the same angle that Gene used on the knife. I do think the edge retention on my D2 hunter from Gene is slightly better than this one in S30V but they're both so good that it's not an issue for me either way.

It came with a leather thong for a lanyard but I like paracord so I put that one on myself.

You won't be disappointed when you get it. The performance of Gene's knives far surpasses the cost.
 
Ravaillac said:
If it was me (and available) I'd go carbon. I've asked recently about a D2 for general camp chores (shelter, light batoning), and as I was thinking, people there including B.Dozier himself answered me that while a D2 (at 60RC) would be capable it was not recommanded. As far as I know D2 is said being sharper (better edge, better edge retention) while S30V is said being tougher while being pretty good in edge retention (but not as good as D2). I've tested D2 at 60 and I'll second it is sharp (I did not try to abuse it so I won't comment about toughness). I've not tested S30V, but I have used S60V and while not bad I can't say I was impressed with edge retention (as I avoid abusing blades for no reasons I can't say too much about toughness, but general tests you see around here state it is pretty tough).
Click to expand...
It's true that there are steels with a higher shock resistance then D2 and my first choice would also be a carbon steel like 5160, but Ron Hood proved to me that D2 is able to handle it. The knife in my sig will be in his new video vol 17. He carried and used it for five days for all kinds of uses performed in the outdoors. I'm looking forward to seeing the video when it comes out to actually see first hand what he put it up against.
Scott
 
OwenM said:
Good choice. S30V is tougher, more wear resistant, and more stain resistant.
Click to expand...

Which knives is the toughness comparison based upon, is this mainly a chipping issue or one of gross blade failure? Neither one impresses me significantly in terms of toughness but I have seen much lower breaks with S30V.

Razorback - Knives said:
...that D2 is able to handle it.
Click to expand...

Any steel can handle any task without gross failure if you grind it thick enough, Dozier grinds his D2 blades really thin as they are made to cut well and be easy to sharpen and leaves the steel fairly hard so the edge retention will be high outside of high impact work.

Specifically in a cross section comparison, his K2 at ~3/4" back from the edge is the same thickness as one of your similar sized D2 blades ~1/16" back from the edge, yes there will be a rather large difference in durablity when you have more than four times as much metal on the edge.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
Any steel can handle any task without gross failure if you grind it thick enough, Dozier grinds his D2 blades really thin as they are made to cut well and be easy to sharpen and leaves the steel fairly hard so the edge retention will be high outside of high impact work.

Specifically in a cross section comparison, his K2 at ~3/4" back from the edge is the same thickness as one of your similar sized D2 blades ~1/16" back from the edge, yes there will be a rather large difference in durablity when you have more than four times as much metal on the edge.

-Cliff
Click to expand...

I agree with you about the grind and thickness. That's why one needs to decide exactly what they intend to do with the knife in the field. Ron told me he has broken hollow grind knives in the field. He didn't specify which steel it was. With the type of grinds and edges you prefer, you be best suited to use something that contains a razor blade.
Scott
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top