Which do your prefer for bushcraft/camping - D2 or 1095

[Bearzilla911]

Which do your prefer for bushcraft and/or camping - D2 or 1095? I'm thinking with regard to a 4 to 5-inch blade length for standard carving, feather sticks, batoning (if you are so inclined) etc. The edge retention and semi-stainless nature of D2 is a big bonus, and I have not had chipping issues in my experience. Well maybe one fully broken in half blade but that was my fault, ha, but not real chipping issues. But a well heat treated 1095 has that toughness and easy sharpening, but stains big time. Which do you prefer?

 

[The True North]

1095 by a wide margin.

 

[jbmonkey]

1095 hand down, of those 2 choices.

 

[luethge]

Depends on the heat treatment and blade geometry. I’ve used plenty of D2 and 1095. For what it’s worth, I still own plenty of 1095 and no D2.

*80crv2 shouldn’t be ignored for a camp / bushcraft knife.

 

[edgelion]

1095 has never failed me. Neither has D2, but i only have a handful of folders in that steel, and haven't used them much outdoors.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I'd rather buy a D2 knife than a 1095 knife.
I'm not going to shame 1095, I have had Lots of Beckers....but I'd wish them in a different steel.

If you like Blotchy steels (I do) I'd pick 8670, 15n20, 80crv2, 52100, and Procut over 1095. Any day.

D2 makes a pretty good slicer, not a Beater

 

[Bigburly912]

Good 1095 does everything you can need it to in the woods. Easy to touch back up too.

1095 all day.

 

[Red_Mist]

D2 is great.

 

[RPZIP]

I have knives made with both and like both. However if I had to choose one it would be 1095.

 

[Triple_D]

I love my Rat 2, in D2. Maybe my favorite EDC knife. But for bush crafting, I'd probably pick up my ESEE in 1095. Yeah, that's what I would do.

 

[Athappyhiker11]

1095 I think if between that and D2. Why 1095? Ease of sharpening in the field and overall well-balanced features; tough, doesn't chip easy, can take a razor sharp edge... just need to keep it oiled if in a humid or wet environment.

 

[Mountain Mike]

1095

 

[Steely_Gunz]

1095 all day everyday.

 

[Jaburg1]

One thousand ninety five

.

 

[Tritium]

I have to be honest, I don't understand the question. Much better options out there these days.

If you somehow have to decide between those two - 1095 with a great warranty

 

[AntDog]

52100, 5160, and A2.

 

[luethge]

Left to right

Thanks - 8670 steel
Esee 5 - 1095 steel
JJ Smith - 5160 steel
Peltonen - 80crv2 steel
Ontario ( white river ) - 1095 steel
Brisa - 80crv2 steel

All of these have been battoned, used heavily and maintained on ceramics.. no issues ( I do live in a dry climate though ).

 

[ShaiHulud]

Of those two, D2. If im correct OP wants help deciding on a steel.
In that case AEB-L is a great chopper and slicer. 80crV2 is plenty tough as well

 

[el gigantor]

The jackass part of my brain wants to respond 3V, but I’ll play nice and go with 1095.

 

[snow and steel]

1095