S30V vs. D2

P

Prairiedog

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
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I'd like some opinions on S30V vs. D2 blades. Benchmade tells me S30V is excellent for edge retention, but the D2's still hold their edge better. However, the D2's can be difficult to sharpen because they are so hard. They recommend sending them back to the factory for free sharpening (a good dea, but still an expense for shipping and an inconvenience). I'm ready to break down and get a good carry knife and I want it to stay SHARP!!!
 
Are you looking at just Benchmades? Heat treat plays a huge role in the process as well. D2 from one company can be different than D2 from another, as can any steel, S30V included. The steels also behave differently. S30V tends to chip easier than D2 due to its hardness. Personally I have never had a problem sharpening D2. Honestly for most people's edc you likely won't notice much difference, if any at all, between the two.
 
Yes, I have narrowed it down to a few Benchmade models. So. I'm specifically interested in their D2 and S30V.
 
Actually I have noticed a big difference between D2 and S30 in my personel hunting knifes, the S30 holds a very sharp at least twice as long. Keep in mind they are both about 62rc and are used as fine cutting tools. No heavy use at all, skining game and missc light cutting, may be entirely different with heavier use. But CPM3V tops them both by a large margin and it will take a lot of abuse.

Leon Pugh
Leon Pugh
 
In all of the rope cutting tests I've seen (primarily Phil Wilson), S30V holds an edge longer than D2. I've heard that even Bob Dozier admits that S30V holds an edge longer than D2, though edge holding is not the only quality a steel should possess.
 
If you're primarily worried about it staying sharper longer, go S30V.

If you're more interested in a ridiculously tough, scratch-resistant blade, go D2 :D
 
Prairiedog said:
However, the D2's can be difficult to sharpen because they are so hard. They recommend sending them back to the factory for free sharpening ...
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You can sharpen 66 HRC blades on ordinary stones. This is just hype. Both of these are high wear, high hardness steels. Go with S30V if you want more corrosion resistance.

-Cliff
 
Hmm. I have limited experience with D2, that being a Dozier K2 (on loan), and while it cuts like a mini-chainsaw for a long time with a coarser edge (DMT red hone), I can't get it to the scary sharp shave-peach-fuzz ultra fine edge like my Benchmade Mini Rukus in S30V (also the only blade I have in that particular steel). After a month and a half of daily use, I have no problem maintaining that S30V fine edge with a DMT green (ultra fine) hone, and I've used it for cutting paper, sisal cord, some dirty vines, rough lumber, various plastics, fruit, plastic strapping, meat, cloth and (ouch!) me, when I was practising opening it left-handed. Hardly hurt at the time but it did bleed some until I noticed.
 
Guys... this is probably OT, I have a BM AFCK in D2 and I think it is not quite sharp. Can I do the sharpening on a sharpmaker? Any tips to do it? Cheers!

Frids
 
Alberta Ed said:
Hmm. I have limited experience with D2, that being a Dozier K2 (on loan), and while it cuts like a mini-chainsaw for a long time with a coarser edge (DMT red hone), I can't get it to the scary sharp shave-peach-fuzz ultra fine edge like my Benchmade Mini Rukus in S30V (also the only blade I have in that particular steel).
Click to expand...

D2 is one of the worst steels to take to a high polish because the carbides are *really* coarse and it has a very low grindability. It doesn't work overly well for that anyway and I prefer to leave it coarse.

-Cliff
 
Cliff, do carbide sizes change according to different heat treat and temper styles, or is it the matrix that changes? Sorry about the stupid question. I've been trying to read abiout heat treating but I'm the type that would need visual & hands on stuff to retain info. It's just the way my brain is wired I guess. Thanks, Joe
 
U.C.O.K. said:
Guys... this is probably OT, I have a BM AFCK in D2 and I think it is not quite sharp. Can I do the sharpening on a sharpmaker? Any tips to do it? Cheers!

Frids
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Yes you can, but you want to use the black marker trick to ensure that you really hit the edge. BM has run their edges a bit obtuse in the past so you might have to thin the bevel a bit to 15-17 deg per side before the Sharpmaker works well, but with a bit of luck it will work just fine the way it is. A friend of mine has the AFCK in D2 and hasn't had any problems sharpening it on the Sharpmaker.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
D2 is one of the worst steels to take to a high polish because the carbides are *really* coarse and it has a very low grindability. It doesn't work overly well for that anyway and I prefer to leave it coarse.

-Cliff
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That concurs with what noted guide Dick Person of Teslin, Yukon, told me. He always preferred to hone his D2 blades as coarse as possible. That way they would slice through skin, sinew and cartilage with minimal effort.
 
Larrin
I think S90V will cut longer than D2. Not 30V. I don't like either one better than d2, or I would use them. I also do not put cyro treatment down, I just have not found it to improve the cutting ability of D2. It may improve other steels that need a little help, D2 does not need it.
The makers that want to spend their time and money on it have my blessing.

And I am not struggling to sell knives, so I don't need snake oil to sell what I make.

Bob dOZIER
 
Bob Dozier said:
Larrin
I think S90V will cut longer than D2. Not 30V. I don't like either one better than d2, or I would use them. I also do not put cyro treatment down, I just have not found it to improve the cutting ability of D2. It may improve other steels that need a little help, D2 does not need it.
The makers that want to spend their time and money on it have my blessing.

And I am not struggling to sell knives, so I don't need snake oil to sell what I make.

Bob dOZIER
Click to expand...


Well there you go! What can I add to that?

:thumbup:
 
Bob Dozier said:
Larrin
I think S90V will cut longer than D2. Not 30V. I don't like either one better than d2, or I would use them. I also do not put cyro treatment down, I just have not found it to improve the cutting ability of D2. It may improve other steels that need a little help, D2 does not need it.
The makers that want to spend their time and money on it have my blessing.

And I am not struggling to sell knives, so I don't need snake oil to sell what I make.

Bob dOZIER
Click to expand...
Thank you for clarifying.
 
I don't think S30V outcuts D2 personally. I haven't seen that. In fact I can't say I've been all that impressed with S30V. Don't get me wrong. S30V holds a great edge when it works. I've never had issues with D2 edges chipping out like I have with S30V though and what good is edge holding if the edge chips out in big or even little chunks at a time? I know some of you are thinking I'm giving S30V a bad rap. Granted I have not had issues with chipping on any Kershaws using the S30V and not all of the others but it has happened enough to warrant my being cautious about buying the steel.

Also, the corrosion resistance has me wondering because I've seen S30V rust and not on D2. Most of my favorite knives are D2 including the blade Bob Dozier made for me knowing I was going to convert it to a folder seen in my signiture line. I woudln't trade that knife for two of anything in S30V personally. Its become my constant companion even when I'm carrying another knife I am evaluating.

I don't know if anyone else has used S90V but if you think D2 is hard to sharpen you obviously haven't sharpened that one. Its a bit of work and doing a couple of those blades will wear in a nice dip in your brand new Edge Pro course stone right quick. :D

STR
 
I have never had a D2 knife that didn't hold an edge for a very long time. I've had Benchmade, Queen, and Dozier knives. I still want a D2 Bog Dog from Swamp Rat...

I have had several S30V knives that wouldn't hold an edge for <insert your own expletive here>. Others have had S30V knives that have held their edges for a long time.

Based upon this, I would prefer D2 as being more consistent, and more "easily heat treatable", or something like that.
 
Larrin said:
In all of the rope cutting tests I've seen (primarily Phil Wilson), S30V holds an edge longer than D2. I've heard that even Bob Dozier admits that S30V holds an edge longer than D2, though edge holding is not the only quality a steel should possess.
Click to expand...

BLASPHEMY! Edge retention is the only aspect of knifedom! THAT is why we spend Million researching the lates super steels and inventing proprietary heat treatments to harden them to 70hrc!
 
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