What is the attraction to D2 steel?

[tinwiskers]

I've never had a Spydie with D2 so what's it like? how does it measure up against VG-10, ZDP, S30V??

 

[thombrogan]

The CPM-D2 is comparable to CPM-S30V only it has a little more toughness and sharpens with a little less tendency to form burrs. Other than that, it's just not used as much which is an attractant by itself.

 

[Eazy_tom]

To me its just a step above s30v, with vg10 being a step under, and zdp189 being just above.

Vg10-S30V-D2-ZDP189.

 

[Josh K]

It's harder and takes a "keener" edge then S30V. It's also not anywhere near as stainless. Tradeoff's.

 

[Supmonkeyface]

it can be put to much higher rcs than all except zdp, but with that hardness comes brittleness.

 

[Getahl]

From what I've read on the Traditional forum, D2 will slowly develop a patina, which is basically a coating (which forms from use) that helps protect the blade from rust. It's formed primarily on high carbon blades like 1095 and such. D2's is different because it looks a little different than normal, resembling the texture of an orange peel. Nonetheless, it is a good steel.