S30V or D2

R

rkhndjr

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Jun 10, 2010
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I am trying to decide on one of the BM 940 knives and the price of the S30V is quite higher. Is that steel type of any consequence if my usage will not be strenuous?
 
They're both equally tough and roughly as hard. I personally find D2 to hold an edge better but for the S30V to take an edge better.

S30V has good stain resistance. D2 not so much (it's semi-stainless and you should likely oil it up once in a while or treat it)

my 2 cents
 
Thanks to both of you. I thought I had read more positive reports on S30V but will go by what I read here..
 
Both are good steels, offering great edge retention.

Both are a bit difficult to sharped and/or polish.

Both work best with a highly refined edge.

Both can be prone to chipping, but a well supported and highly refind edge minimizes this.

If maximum corrosion resistance is paramount go for the S30V.

If maximum edge retention is paramount I give the edge to (Bob Dozier's) D2.



But as always, heat treatment and edge geometry are just as important as metallurgy.






Big Mike
 
topherO said:
They're both equally tough and roughly as hard. I personally find D2 to hold an edge better but for the S30V to take an edge better.

S30V has good stain resistance. D2 not so much (it's semi-stainless and you should likely oil it up once in a while or treat it)

my 2 cents
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Make that 4 cents. (as in "+1")
 
Benchmade does D2 and S30V very well. The BM710D2 is a personal favorite. Don't fear sharpening D2 just get a Spyderco Sharpmaker.

That aside, I think this guy said it perfectly:
Originally Posted by topherO
They're both equally tough and roughly as hard. I personally find D2 to hold an edge better but for the S30V to take an edge better.

S30V has good stain resistance. D2 not so much (it's semi-stainless and you should likely oil it up once in a while or treat it)

my 2 cents
Click to expand...
 
We're up to eight cents now. If we keep going like this, we'll raise enough to pay for his knife.:)
 
Though similar they perform different, S30V looses its sharpness quickly but keeps a coarse/toothy edge for almost ever. Its also more prone to edge rolling and deformations upon hard contact, like hitting a staple on a box.

D2 is a tool steel designed for punch pressing other steels, its more resistant to impact and edge deformations and goes blunt instead of rolling. D2 also seems to keep a "sharp edge" longer but does not retain the toothy quality as it wears like S30V does.

Both steels perform well at both ends of the sharpening spectrum, a coarser edge seems to be more fitting on S30V. S30V will polish too but its harder to do so and tends to roll more often. D2 likes to be a little bit of both, when coarse the edge feels sharper than it should and cuts like a chainsaw. When polished it can get sharp enough for your morning shave and its also a good steel and edge type for dressing game (if you hunt).

The issue of these steels chipping is more like a myth or user error. If you thin the edge far enough and make a hard contact its possible though.

S30V is good stuff but I like D2 better.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Though similar they perform different, S30V looses its sharpness quickly but keeps a coarse/toothy edge for almost ever. Its also more prone to edge rolling and deformations upon hard contact, like hitting a staple on a box.
Click to expand...

+1 on that. :)
 
The reasoning is plentiful here. I'll just add my vote. If you're use isn't going to be super rough on the knife, go with s30v. If you're going to beat it relentlessly, go for D2. Realistically, you can't hardly go wrong with a Benchmade in either steel...
 
I have a BM 440 and 940 in S30V and both are very, very sharp from the Sharpmaker. Good stuff, and only have to touch-up occasionally. Never hit a staple tho.

That's said, the D2 in the 710 and Stryker series are just great. You won't go wrong with either, so I'd just pick the knife you like better and roll with it.
 
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Apebrains said:
The reasoning is plentiful here. I'll just add my vote. If you're use isn't going to be super rough on the knife, go with s30v. If you're going to beat it relentlessly, go for D2. Realistically, you can't hardly go wrong with a Benchmade in either steel...
Click to expand...

four cents on this one.
 
With regard the the OP's question, S30V or D2, I'd personally go with the S30V for EDC and I agree with the consensus on each steel's characteristics. However, if the D2 were CPM D2 I'd have a harder time choosing and may decide on the CPM D2.
 
How can it be found if CPMD2 or just D2? I have looked at some knives and see no evidence of that.
 
CPM D2 is not very common yet, especially in production knives, but I'm sure that if it's the blade material, it will be prominently marked. :D
 
I dislike D2 after an experience with a DDR 5.5 Maxx. My sweat or skin oils must be slightly more acidic because just carrying the knife in my jeans on a typical summer week will cause discoloration. Out of the 2 choices given in the OP, I would pick a 12 gauge loaded with 00 buck.
 
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