tell me about D2 steel

Usually any steel starting with a letter like D2, A2, etc. is a tool steel meaning that it is very hard and tough (not stainless) and can be used for machining other parts.

Here is a link that discusses the various steels used in knife making that may be of help.

There are lots of "steelheads" in the knife world that get themselves in a tizzy about this steel or that. IMHO, steel is only one variable in making a good knife. The heat treatment of the steel, the blade grind, the blade and handle style and composition, the lock, etc. are all as important as the steel.

http://www.ajh-knives.com/metals.html

Here is what one of the local knife wizards, Mr. Joe Talmadge says about knives and steel. He knows of what he speaks!

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368828
 
[20-30 degree bend on a 1/8" knife]

Razorback - Knives said:
This is why I have alot of faith in D2.
Click to expand...

That is a very low bend angle, especially for a 1/8" blade, as blades get thinner you can bend them more, about 25 degrees is where thick ground ATS-34 tacticals break. D2 also has a low plastic region so it snaps soon after it takes a set.

-Cliff
 
Cliff Stamp said:
[20-30 degree bend on a 1/8" knife]



That is a very low bend angle, especially for a 1/8" blade, as blades get thinner you can bend them more, about 25 degrees is where thick ground ATS-34 tacticals break. D2 also has a low plastic region so it snaps soon after it takes a set.

-Cliff
Click to expand...
Soooo, what's your point? Common sense tells anyone the thinner something is the more prone to breakage. So what are you saying, spit it out so it's more understandable.:D How far do you plan on bending your knife in "normal" use Cliff?
Scott
 
Razorback - Knives said:
Common sense tells anyone the thinner something is the more prone to breakage.
Click to expand...

It gets weaker yes, however it gets more flexible, especially with tapers, thus the thinner the knife the less impressive a given bend. I have bent a production D2 blade to 90 degrees before it broke, it was however only 1/16" thick.

How far do you plan on bending your knife in "normal" use ...
Click to expand...

That would depend on the knife, a 1/8" bush knife could bend far beyond 25 degrees in heavy wood work, if they stick around twisted grain I'll flex them back and force to open the wood up to allow them to be pulled out. They can also bend around knots or bad grain when batoning through thick rounds.

Fillet knives can be bent further still depending on technique, some like them bar stiff some don't, the ones that flex can pretty much go to 90 degrees. I have some very light utility knives that bend more than 25 degrees just cutting stiff media, you can bend the tip back and forth with the tip of your finger.

-Cliff
 
Thanks Cliff.:thumbup: I kinda figured you've tried it.:D I like D2 and still think there's alot of misconceptions about it.
Scott
 
One of my first customs was D2, Mel Sorg, full cryo, 62 HRC, very thin blade, 3/32", full grind with a thin secondary edge bevel. Very much working knives, but he also did higher grade pieces. He worked mainly with D2 and 5160 and also has a few blades out of 3V. One of the sharpnest NIB blades I have ever handled, mirror polished, would push cut newsprint almost floating through it.

-Cliff
 
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