I posted a thread before about wanting a KA-BAR, but my choices were the D2 and Nextgen. Now, I have discovered rust is not a big issue in knives, and the 1095 versions of the KA-BAR are a very good, low priced knife and the 1095 steel is a very solid performer. Now, I'm sure people are probably sick of this question, but which one do you recommend? I have posted in previous threads that I am Australian and live in Australia, so if I go for a 1095 blade, it'll be one without USMC engraved on the side of it. This is just because I'm proud of being an Aussie, and don't want to seem like I'm trying to be an American by owning a USMC knife, and it just wouldn't be right. I don't even know anyone in the USMC, let alone any American people (maybe two or three). All I know is I want a KA-BAR, which will be used (not way too heavily but still used) and I want one because they're awesome. Now my questions are as follows:
1: I understand D2 steel (in theory) is much more brittle than 1095. Can anyone say this is true, because I can't find any evidence of it being as brittle as some claim. I have found evidence it is more brittle than 1095, and I know that's just the nature of the steel. But I can't find anything to back up the claims it is ridiculously brittle. Can anyone with a D2 blade say whether they think it's way too brittle, and if it has chipped or cracked, and if it does roll and bend at all. Would you be able to pry things apart with a KA-BAR made from D2, or would it just snap? does it bend or flex a reasonable amount, or not at all? Please, only answer this part if you actually know for a fact (I am aware pretty much everyone on this forum would know more about steel than me, and there are some very wise and smart people here, but I would prefer an answer from someone who actually knows, rather than someone who thinks it may be too brittle).
2: If you did not consider the price of the knives, what would you go for? Is the D2 good enough for you to overlook a 1095 version if you were given one for free?
3: With the price of the knives in mind now, is the D2 really worth 2x as much as the 1095? And if I could somehow get it for the price of a 1095, should I go for it, or stick with the 1095?
4: Which one has sturdier construction? I know, the USMC went through WWII, and proved itself, but is the D2 going to stand up to more abuse than the 1095 (provided it didn't chip etc)? Again, I'm going back to the knife test videos by noss4 on youtube, but in the test of the USMC, the tang bends almost straight away, batoning through some wood. I know this is not what the knife should be used for, but in the same kind of test for the D2, it is not affected or damaged whatsoever. Is the 1095 a good tough knife and the D2 just excessively strong? Not that that would be a bad thing.
Also, would a leather or plastic sheath be better? If i get a leather sheath, it'll be black, but is the leather better for keeping the blade oiled? I know if it's unoiled and wet, a leather sheath will hold water, but does it hold oil the same way? Sorry about continuously posting new threads like this, people are probably going to get annoyed soon. But I want to get the best KA-BAR out there. Thanks.
1: I understand D2 steel (in theory) is much more brittle than 1095. Can anyone say this is true, because I can't find any evidence of it being as brittle as some claim. I have found evidence it is more brittle than 1095, and I know that's just the nature of the steel. But I can't find anything to back up the claims it is ridiculously brittle. Can anyone with a D2 blade say whether they think it's way too brittle, and if it has chipped or cracked, and if it does roll and bend at all. Would you be able to pry things apart with a KA-BAR made from D2, or would it just snap? does it bend or flex a reasonable amount, or not at all? Please, only answer this part if you actually know for a fact (I am aware pretty much everyone on this forum would know more about steel than me, and there are some very wise and smart people here, but I would prefer an answer from someone who actually knows, rather than someone who thinks it may be too brittle).
2: If you did not consider the price of the knives, what would you go for? Is the D2 good enough for you to overlook a 1095 version if you were given one for free?
3: With the price of the knives in mind now, is the D2 really worth 2x as much as the 1095? And if I could somehow get it for the price of a 1095, should I go for it, or stick with the 1095?
4: Which one has sturdier construction? I know, the USMC went through WWII, and proved itself, but is the D2 going to stand up to more abuse than the 1095 (provided it didn't chip etc)? Again, I'm going back to the knife test videos by noss4 on youtube, but in the test of the USMC, the tang bends almost straight away, batoning through some wood. I know this is not what the knife should be used for, but in the same kind of test for the D2, it is not affected or damaged whatsoever. Is the 1095 a good tough knife and the D2 just excessively strong? Not that that would be a bad thing.
Also, would a leather or plastic sheath be better? If i get a leather sheath, it'll be black, but is the leather better for keeping the blade oiled? I know if it's unoiled and wet, a leather sheath will hold water, but does it hold oil the same way? Sorry about continuously posting new threads like this, people are probably going to get annoyed soon. But I want to get the best KA-BAR out there. Thanks.
