thoughts on D2 vs 01 or A2

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cbach8tw

cbach8tw

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I know there have been threads on this and I will search later for the appropriate threads, but I just wanted initial impressions about your experience with D2 vs 01 or A2, without going into a lengthy scientific dissertations. I have heard that D2 can be sharp but will lose some of its keenness ( as opposed to O1 which will have a sharper keenness) but still keep cutting because of its larger carbides. I know that tougher is a loaded term because that can mean different things for different users, D2 if properly heat treated will keep on cutting and not chip out. My favorite steel was 01 for several years, ease of sharpening, and takes a great edge, but I have wanted to experiment with D2 more, as well as A2, and have been getting good results with 52100. So I just wanted some thoughts from those who have used these steels a lot and how you liked them and your experience with them. Sorry if this is jumping around.
 
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Personally not a D2 guy.

I can get it very sharp but the keeness drops off fast to a working edge that will still cut but is dull by my standards.

01 is almost the opposite but the edge holding isn't quite at my taste


A2 is a great blend of the two. More like 01 though but with more edge holding.

Still not quite at my taste for edge holding.

If your good at sharpening M2 is were it's at.
More edge holding then d2 and the keeness doesn't drop off a cliff.
 
Never used d2 or a2 but I have some battle horse knives in O1 and they've kept an edge so far. Made a few fires and processed wood and still sharp. I'm a big fan of O1
 
A2 is a great all around steel. I find it easy to work and it takes a polished edge.
 
Thanks everyone. Keep the ideas coming, sorry for the double post.
 
With industry ht, A2 offers a well balance between good toughness and wear resistance. D2 more/less DQ in chopping territory because of excessive in both carbide volume & inclusion of very large primary carbides. A2 with excess banding also DQ for chopping blades. O1 is toughest but has lowest corrosion resistant (rust as I type).

With ht that can break up banding + large MC and 64+rc with high edge stability - all 3 steels perform similar to each other (in 63+rc range), except O1 still rust fastest (albeit slower than lousy ht).

I shared this image before on BF but here it's again. Notice - absence of large MC (primary carbide) on D2. Whereas Particle Metallurgy 4V shows plenty of MC with diameter 2-5um

YRnUQmg.jpg


O1 carbide(volume ~4-5%) diameter is in sub micron range.
 
I've had limited experience with all three and have nothing bad to say about any of them. I have a queen trapper in d2 that is among my favorite knives. Once it loses the keen edge the working edge is still exceptionally sharp because of the thin profile you find in most traditional knives.


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I'd have the give a personal nod to O1 mostly due to what I have used and have available.
Easy to sharpen, keeps a solid edge, rust is no big deal with minimal maintenance(I live in the Pacific Northwest where it is fairly wet), it's tough enough to handle hard work(BHK Bushcrafter and Woodsman Pro) and just a great all around cutting tool. I do wish it was just a bit stainless.
I like A2 just as much(Various CRK one piece and LT Wright Genesis) but my experience with it is a bit more limited.
Can't speak on D2 but I hear good things.
 
Thanks for the comments everyone, got to get out there and try these steels.
 
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