Should I get the BM710 in 154CM or D2?

F

Finn-lander

Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Messages
100
Hi all,

I am planning on picking up a BM710 soon, as I have read so much about it on forums like this. My question is for those who have had both, which one did you like better. I am "sharpening challenged" so I am nervous about getting the D2 steel. I would appreciate your comments.

Finn-lander
 
I have both but carry the d2 . I bought the D2BK 710. I think BK coating on D2 is the only way to go (no rust) . Knifeworks has the 710bk in stock. The 710 is my EDC right now not to big and not to small . The 154cm are a little hard to find .
 
I've had both; I'd go with the D2 unless you're going to be using it in an environment real
conducive to corrosion - like around salt water, or a lot of food prep.

D2 is easy enough to sharpen if you have diamond hones.
 
I guess I'll buck the trend.

I have versions of the 710 in both 154cm and D2. I prefer the 154cm for daily use, though by no means do I consider the D2 version less of a knife - just different.

I carry IWB and have never had rust issues with my 154cm versions. For some reason the D2 version had "speckled" rust forming after a week of carry - this took me by suprise. I have carried 710 HS and 806D2 knives without such issues, so I suppose this has colored my opinion.

That, and I think D2 is overrated at the moment, since the reputation D2 has gotten is based on a few custom makers' knives and not on the generally available mass produced knives.

Just IMO.
 
Given the choice between 154CM and D2 in a folder, generally, I would go with the 154CM. Both will sharpen easily using diamonds, but in my experience, diamonds alone with leave a toothy edge (can be a good thing). It's easier for me to get 154CM to a mirror polish vs D2, possibly because of carbide size/volume. I like to take most of my knives as close to a mirror polished bevel as possible, but I do have a few with "toothy" edges.


As far as corrosion goes, I have noticed a little bit of spotting on my D2 blades... Nothing serious; it's pretty much cosmetic only. 154CM, in my experience is VERY stain resistant. I often jog with a 154CM folder in my hand (closed, of course!) and it gets quite sweaty. I don't always remember to wipe the knife down afterwards, but so far I havn't have any problems with corrosion.

That being said, D2 is a solid performer, and compared to many stainless steels, it is quite tough at RC60. Best of luck!
 
I have a BM 710 in D2 and a bunch of 154CM knives. In daily use you won't notice
a ton of difference between the two steels. If you are sharpening challenged I'd buy
the Spyderco Sharpmaker and fix that problem. I learned to sharpen on a Sharpmaker
and can now sharpen a knife on on all sorts of stuff free hand. That being said, I tend
to like a certain profile on my edges and the D2 definitely took longer to re-profile then 154CM.
If you keep the knife sharp and don't let it dull you will be very happy with D2.
D2 is an interesting steel. It has teeth. (It has a courser grain then 154CM)
It's like micro serrations. It excels at slicing through rope and other fibrous materials.
It cuts very well in many applications and holds its edge longer then 154CM,
especially in harder and abrasive materials.
I have had zero problems with rust or corrosion.

The 710 is one of the knives I keep going back to. It is and may always will be my #1 large
folder.

One more thing. The 710 and the axis lock are amazingly strong.
I once chopped through a hickory axe handle with my 710 and it didn't even care.
This was in my younger and crazy days (last year).
 
Last edited:
I think I am really going to like this forum. Being a machinist, its really nice to be able to hear people talk about materials. Usually when I talk to people they have no clue what Thompson Shaft or D2 , O1 and things of that nature are.

It makes me want to get my project started asap ! If I only had the time right now though.
 
If you are planning to buy a new one, the only choice you have is D2.
Now, if you really are "sharpening challenged" you should be more concerned about the recurve edge rather than the steel itself. Both D2 and 154CM are easy to sharpen with today's modern techniques, either with ceramic or diamond stones. Now sharpening the recurve part of the blade requires some experience, I would not practice your sharpening technique on the 710. Or you could choose a combo edge 710, thus eliminating the recurve issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top