Sharpening a REALLY dull D2 Knife And sharpening... And Sharpening.......

KrisOK

KrisOK

Joined
Oct 17, 2012
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856
About a year ago I gave my son-in-law a composite blade Leek that has a D2 core. Yesterday he hands it to me and says "Can you sharpen this? It's a bit dull."

A bit dull? I could cut something as effectively with the edge of my hand as you could with that knife. I mean the edge of this knife was almost FLAT in some places, and had micro chips as well. I pulled out my Sharpmaker and the knife rolled on the ground laughing at it. Didn't even make a dent. I don't have the diamond rods, just the standard medium and fine that comes with the Sharpmaker. So I pulled out my Lansky system and the extra course stone and started working on the edge. Re-profiled it to a 34 degree inclusive edge. That step took for freaking EVER! Once I started getting a decent working edge, it wasn't all that difficult to go down the stones to extra fine and shaving sharp, but getting that working edge seemed to take forever.

Have any of you guys has this fun experience with D2?
 
KrisOK said:
About a year ago I gave my son-in-law a composite blade Leek that has a D2 core. Yesterday he hands it to me and says "Can you sharpen this? It's a bit dull."

A bit dull? I could cut something as effectively with the edge of my hand as you could with that knife. I mean the edge of this knife was almost FLAT in some places, and had micro chips as well. I pulled out my Sharpmaker and the knife rolled on the ground laughing at it. Didn't even make a dent. I don't have the diamond rods, just the standard medium and fine that comes with the Sharpmaker. So I pulled out my Lansky system and the extra course stone and started working on the edge. Re-profiled it to a 34 degree inclusive edge. That step took for freaking EVER! Once I started getting a decent working edge, it wasn't all that difficult to go down the stones to extra fine and shaving sharp, but getting that working edge seemed to take forever.

Have any of you guys has this fun experience with D2?
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dude...your scaring me, I have a JYD CB on the way:eek:
 
Yes. I tried to sharpen a D2 blade on my arkansas stones. Bloody ridiculous. Finally got there, but it took much longer than it should have. Great steel, but yeesh.
 
Two words: Wicked Edge....

In all seriousness though, the wicked edge is a fantastic system and makes quick work of even the most stubborn steels, but it's not cheap. You really should be using diamond abrasives on these high carbide volume, highly wear resistant steels if you plan on taking of a substantial amount of metal.
 
mkjellgren said:
Two words: Wicked Edge....

In all seriousness though, the wicked edge is a fantastic system and makes quick work of even the most stubborn steels, but it's not cheap. You really should be using diamond abrasives on these high carbide volume, highly wear resistant steels if you plan on taking of a substantial amount of metal.
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The Lansky is sort of like a Wicked Edge that only works on one side at a time. I'll probably buy the diamond stones for the Lansky before dropping the pile of cash that a full blown Wicked Edge system costs.
 
I use a belt sander to reprofile and it takes a few mins at most
 
KrisOK said:
I'll probably buy the diamond stones for the Lansky before dropping the pile of cash that a full blown Wicked Edge system costs.
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Good thought - even just the coarse ones for re-profiling would be a huge time saver. Wouldn't need the full diamond set.
 
KrisOK said:
About a year ago I gave my son-in-law a composite blade Leek that has a D2 core. Yesterday he hands it to me and says "Can you sharpen this? It's a bit dull."

A bit dull? I could cut something as effectively with the edge of my hand as you could with that knife. I mean the edge of this knife was almost FLAT in some places, and had micro chips as well. I pulled out my Sharpmaker and the knife rolled on the ground laughing at it. Didn't even make a dent. I don't have the diamond rods, just the standard medium and fine that comes with the Sharpmaker. So I pulled out my Lansky system and the extra course stone and started working on the edge. Re-profiled it to a 34 degree inclusive edge. That step took for freaking EVER! Once I started getting a decent working edge, it wasn't all that difficult to go down the stones to extra fine and shaving sharp, but getting that working edge seemed to take forever.

Have any of you guys has this fun experience with D2?
Click to expand...

For reprofiling Silicone Carbide will eat D2 for breakfast, something like a Norton Med stone.
 
Dozier d2 is "fun" to sharpen too! I have a wicked edge and it still took me a good long time. The worst for me is zdp189 though, that is a real chore
 
Work Sharp Knife Sharpener. I love primo steels. Stones can handle 1095, but once I got into s30, s35, elmax, d2, I was "forced" to by a WSKS. One of the better, wiser purchases I have made. I can convex almost any edge, and it has saved me A LOT of time and effort in sharpening.
 
I usually use the Edge Pro for reprofiling and even with the OEM stones (Chromium Oxide) I never had any issues with any steel I have seen yet... Including CPM 10V at high hardness (64.5 RC).

I normally use Silicone Carbide for everything these days, usually 320 and 400 grit....

Haven't ever felt the need to go with diamonds.
 
Cheap 8" bench grinder and stand with a Paper Wheel setup. I can do any steel in minutes, just not very good at it yet. There is no faster way, although a 30" belt sander works equally well.
 
Translash said:
I use a belt sander to reprofile and it takes a few mins at most
Click to expand...


Yup, ^^^ this ! My Harbor 4"x36" belt/6" disc & my 1"x30" belt sanders have paid for themselves already in just the time they save me. I can now get a knife with a REALLY messed up edge/grind or one with no edge & have it shaving paper in less than 5 minutes. Many scoff at them (as they don't have much power), but i actually think they are perfect for what i need. I dont want to take off tons of metal too quickly. I am not making knives, just sharpening/reprofiling them. :D
 
liamstrain said:
Yes. I tried to sharpen a D2 blade on my arkansas stones. Bloody ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I attempted the same with my composite blade Leek, and it took me quite some to get absolutely nowhere. Got some diamond benchstones not long after, and those had no problem at all with D2 (or any other steel I've put to it).
 
KrisOK said:
The Lansky is sort of like a Wicked Edge that only works on one side at a time. I'll probably buy the diamond stones for the Lansky before dropping the pile of cash that a full blown Wicked Edge system costs.
Click to expand...
I've had very good results with an Edge Pro Apex. They're half the price of a Wicked Edge for the same result. Look into it and see what you like better. Good luck in your search!
 
MSC Industrial Supply..........#05094545 400 grit or #05093950 600 grit 1/2 x 1/4 x 6 EDM stones. Worked beautifully on a couple D2 Benchmade Nitrous Strykers.
 
I took the black factory coating off a D2 Griptilan today, and then a slight patina on the blade (not that D2 is very good at this). By the time I had the coating off and the knife back together, it was duller than my in-laws. You couldn't have cut yourself if you'd wanted to.

I got it back to where I like it on my Sharpmaker, but it took the better part of two hours.

I need diamonds.
 
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