What is the better steel S30V or D2?

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pooperpoopypoop

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Mar 28, 2007
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I see a lot of high end knives using s30v and d2 steels, which one is better? I am very new to knives, so I do not know a whole lot about steel.
 
Better for what?
D2 will rust easier than S30V, but it is pretty stain resistant and seems to hold an edge better (so far).
S30V is less likely to rust, and holds an edge pretty good in my use, and is easier to sharpen (less abrasion resistance = less time on the stones).
Which is better will depend on your needs.
 
Both are great steels. Unless you use your knife hard everyday, you really wont beable to tell a difference.
 
I dislike D2 primarily for it's sharpening resistance. I can get it sharp but it's more work than it's worth compared to other steels.

Of the two, S30V is my preference.

Phil
 
It depends on what you want. I prefer D2 because it's less likely to chip on me, and it holds a toothy edge VERY well. S30V gets sharper, quicker though.
 
I like to keep my edges with a high polish so it's S30V for me. That and the fact that I can get S30V sharper. Both steels will do though.
 
I am a big fan of S30V. I have NEVER had any of my customs that I USE EVER chip on me. They have better HT than production knives with S30V.
 
never had production or custom s30v blades chip-

i cut open box's of ceramic tile and other crap and have had zero problems
 
Just a thought, but has anyone heard of a blade being made from high speed steel? Or cobalt? You know the same stuff used in good drill bits? I know it's not stainless, but just thinking out loud.


Oh, I've got a Cold Steel "Hunter" in D2 and a Cabela's Alakan Guide Buck Mini Alpha. Both blades are so similiar in all areas of performance it's hard to choose which is best.
 
High speed tool steel refers to M2 I believe, but A2 and D2 are similar types of tool steel. I used to have a extrema ratio with n690 cobalt and it was ok. My favourite knife is a D2 dustar (israeli) and it has a lower hardness rating at about 57. I can get this like a razor in bugger all time. I have busses on the way though so they may be better. At the moment though, if I had to take one knife out bush it would be the Dustar.
 
I like both steels about the same so far when comparing my bm 710 and my skirmish. Havent had any chipping problems on either.
 
I've had bad luck with S30V, and good luck with D2, so I like D2 better. If you sharpen it on a coarse stone, it can slice for a very long time.

jtallant said:
Just a thought, but has anyone heard of a blade being made from high speed steel? Or cobalt? You know the same stuff used in good drill bits? I know it's not stainless, but just thinking out loud.


Oh, I've got a Cold Steel "Hunter" in D2 and a Cabela's Alakan Guide Buck Mini Alpha. Both blades are so similiar in all areas of performance it's hard to choose which is best.
Click to expand...

Blades are made all the time by hobbyists using M2 HSS steel, from power hacksaw blades. I have a couple of knives made this way from others, and am working on making one myself. The M2 is about 65 or 66 HRC, and the 2 knives that I have outlast (in edge retention) all of my other knives, except for one custom in CPM 10V. They simply blow away most other ones in terms of performance when cutting through abrasive media.
 
sodak said:
Blades are made all the time by hobbyists using M2 HSS steel, from power hacksaw blades. I have a couple of knives made this way from others, and am working on making one myself. The M2 is about 65 or 66 HRC, and the 2 knives that I have outlast (in edge retention) all of my other knives, except for one custom in CPM 10V. They simply blow away most other ones in terms of performance when cutting through abrasive media.
Click to expand...


Do you know where I can get ahold of one of these knives made with this??? Is that the same steel thats reffered to as old "Sawmill Blade" steel?
 
jtallant said:
Do you know where I can get ahold of one of these knives made with this??? Is that the same steel thats reffered to as old "Sawmill Blade" steel?
Click to expand...

Most custom makers will mark them as "M2." You can also pick up M2 knives from Benchmade.
 
jtallant said:
Do you know where I can get ahold of one of these knives made with this??? Is that the same steel thats reffered to as old "Sawmill Blade" steel?
Click to expand...

You can pick up M2 blades on the market, although they're usually not hard enough. You can get lots of great info on rec.knives, but most people just go out and buy some power hacksaw blades and start grinding.
 
depends on who does the heat-treating. the Dozier D2s I handled had a very very sharp and toothy edge (which is great!!!). some S30Vs I handled (no makers / manufacturers) mentioned weren't as good as the Dozier D2.

but D2 rusts in the tropics, so I have to look towards 154V, 420V (one of my favs), S30V or ZDP189 as alternatives, if we're talking stainless or semi-stainless.
 
sodak said:
You can pick up M2 blades on the market, although they're usually not hard enough. You can get lots of great info on rec.knives, but most people just go out and buy some power hacksaw blades and start grinding.
Click to expand...

Is a power hacksaw like a Sawz-all?
 
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