- Joined
- Oct 14, 1998
- Messages
- 259
I'm looking for some performance feedback (especially corrosion resistance) on D2E steel as well as what exactly 'D2E' is.
From what I've been able to ascertain from past forum discussions and discussions with knifemakers and other knife users, what is now called D2E may or may not be the same enhanced/modified D2 folks were discussing a couple of years ago.
A couple years ago, D2E/D2M was popularized by REKAT in various models such as the Sifu and Pikuni. REKAT had mentioned that the steel was imported and feedback from various knifemakers and users indicated a steel that was a bit tougher and more corrosion resistant than conventional D2. I believe one knifemaker may have mentioned that D2E contained up to 12.50% chromium.
More recently, D2E appears analogous to Crucible's version of D2 (Airdi 150). Several knifemakers have reported that Crucible's production process for Airdi 150 results in a D2 steel that acts more favorably in the knifemaking process as well as possibly having more chromium. Crucible lists Airdi 150 as having 11.50% chromium. More chromium than D2 from some companies, less than others.
My question is this: When folks refer to D2E now, are they in fact referring to Crucible's D2 (Airdi 150), or are referrences still being made to another version of D2?
Also what kind of performance differences are people seeing with regards to D2E (esp. Airdi 150) versus conventional D2? I'm especially interested if people notice an increase in corrosion resistance or not.
Thanks in advance.
Addendum--
I did some more poking around the old discussions and what was originally referred to D2 modified/D2M is looking less and less likely what is now considered by many as D2E (Crucible Airdi 150). From old discussion below, it appears that the original D2M was proprietary to REKAT. REKAT, however, appeared to have given Jeff Randall and Rob Simonich some D2M to play with as well as the physical/chemical composition. Rob Simonich also mentioned he was supposed to keep the original D2M formula secret due to its proprietary nature under REKAT.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122673
The composition for Airdi 150 on the other hand, has apparently been open knowledge for a while....
http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/airdi150t.html
It looks like Rob Simonich, Jeff Randall, Bob Taylor, or someone from REKAT maybe the only ones who might be able to clear this up. If any of you guys see this, can offer any insight
.
From what I've been able to ascertain from past forum discussions and discussions with knifemakers and other knife users, what is now called D2E may or may not be the same enhanced/modified D2 folks were discussing a couple of years ago.
A couple years ago, D2E/D2M was popularized by REKAT in various models such as the Sifu and Pikuni. REKAT had mentioned that the steel was imported and feedback from various knifemakers and users indicated a steel that was a bit tougher and more corrosion resistant than conventional D2. I believe one knifemaker may have mentioned that D2E contained up to 12.50% chromium.
More recently, D2E appears analogous to Crucible's version of D2 (Airdi 150). Several knifemakers have reported that Crucible's production process for Airdi 150 results in a D2 steel that acts more favorably in the knifemaking process as well as possibly having more chromium. Crucible lists Airdi 150 as having 11.50% chromium. More chromium than D2 from some companies, less than others.
My question is this: When folks refer to D2E now, are they in fact referring to Crucible's D2 (Airdi 150), or are referrences still being made to another version of D2?
Also what kind of performance differences are people seeing with regards to D2E (esp. Airdi 150) versus conventional D2? I'm especially interested if people notice an increase in corrosion resistance or not.
Thanks in advance.
Addendum--
I did some more poking around the old discussions and what was originally referred to D2 modified/D2M is looking less and less likely what is now considered by many as D2E (Crucible Airdi 150). From old discussion below, it appears that the original D2M was proprietary to REKAT. REKAT, however, appeared to have given Jeff Randall and Rob Simonich some D2M to play with as well as the physical/chemical composition. Rob Simonich also mentioned he was supposed to keep the original D2M formula secret due to its proprietary nature under REKAT.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122673
The composition for Airdi 150 on the other hand, has apparently been open knowledge for a while....
http://www.crucibleservice.com/eselector/prodbyapp/tooldie/airdi150t.html
It looks like Rob Simonich, Jeff Randall, Bob Taylor, or someone from REKAT maybe the only ones who might be able to clear this up. If any of you guys see this, can offer any insight
.