story and question (trying to decide on blade steel)

[lc609]

Just got back from the knife store. I am replacing a stolen Benchmade 800HSS. I wanted to handle a 710 and an 806. I had a simple question. Does the D2 that Benchmade is currently using have similar toughness to that of the M2? The guy behind the counter told me that D2 is a carbon steel, and the more carbon they put into it the better it holds and edge, but the more brittle the knife becomes. I told him that I didn't think that this was the case (trying to be diplomatic), pointing out that different steels can take different heat treats and that these heat treats have more to do with the toughness than the % carbon. He told me that it is "great that you have your opinion on this, but I am telling you what I know to be true from my experience". Then he told me that D2 would make a much better slicer, but that the "silver ones" were better utility knives and I was less likely to damage the tip of one of the "silver ones" than on any of the carbon steel. I know the to be wrong, especially concerning Benchmades. I have reground many ATS-34 blades with missing tips and have abused my M2 blade more than anything else, with some minor edge rolling and no chipping. So I told him that he was an idiot, and his condecending attitude just cost him any sales that I would have made in his store. He then backpeddaled and told me what a great steel D2 was and how custom makers were using it more and more. He also told me that he was referring to D2 specifically and he didn't know much about tool vs stainless steel. He also told me that one of his regular customers comes in to have his 806 sharpend and that he has seen no evidence of chipping. I ran away.

Any way, how does the D2 compare to the M2 and ATS34? I think it should be right between the two in perfomance, but then again, I am hard on knives and need significant tip strength for such a fine point as the AFCK. I don't care about stain resistance, and BM engineers thier knives for edge retention. I want to know about toughness, specifically tip and edge (will the edge chip or roll, will the tip bend or snap?) Difficulty in sharpening will be a lesser issue, as I have found my M2 blade to be easier to sharpen than my buddies' ATS34.

thanks

pat

 

[Bronco]

Pat,
Based on info available from the manufacturer (Crucible), M2 has a slight advantage over D2 in terms toughness and more significant edge in terms of wear resistance. D2 is, however, considerably more corrosion resistant, a quality which is very appealing to the mainstream knife manufacturers. ATS-34 is even more corrosion resistant than D2 but lags behind the others in toughness and wear resistance.

 

[medusaoblongata]

I think Bronco's right. In addition, in my experience, M2 is much easier to sharpen than D2, less work and better edge.