Which is better and Why? Please choose 1.

R

ReadyFreddy23

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Jul 29, 2006
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I found a couple of Benchmade 710's. One has 154cm and the other is D2. Which knife is better and why? Would you prefer easier to sharpen or holds and edge longer?
 
kinda depends on what YOU prefer - if you can sharpen D2 w/o too much swearing (& it's even more trouble on a recuve blade) then I would go for that.
 
Out of those two I'd probably opt for the 154CM, it'll have great edge retention and still will be able to be resharpened without too much swearing.

For the edge retention the D2 would give you over the 154CM, I wouldn't say that it's going to be significant enough for the hassle that resharpening the D2 will give you.
 
No such thing as better, only different. My choice would be D2 , It sharpens more like high carbon, but is not as stain resistant.
 
154 cm is my choice over d2. d2 is a great edge holder but is very hard to sharpen and will stain if used much around the kitchen. slicing tomatoes will give it a blue look. it wont rust as easy as regular carbon steel but it will discolor very easy. 154 cm on the other hand holds it edge almost as well as d2 and is a whole lot more stain resistant. i have found it to be a lot easier to sharpen over d2 as well. also d2 edges to me seem to chip kinda easy also. has anyone else noticed this about d2?,,,VWB.
 
D2 hard to sharpen? I feel D2 is easier to sharpen then any of the upper line stainless steels. Of course I don't understand people not being able to sharpen a steel because it's too wear resistant. Go with the D2 and get a ceramic carbide or fine diamond rod and you will be quite happy.
 
Assuming comparable heat treatments I suspect that without looking you would be hard pressed to tell the difference in use.
Both are very good knife steels, of course the D2 isn't quite as stainless.
Greg
 
I really like my D2 710, for normal folding knife task, I think D2 is great because usually you are cutting rather than anything else, so a harder steel makes sense. For a fixed blade chopping I noticed I chipped the edge on my 156 CSK a little, but it only took about 20 minutes on a fine Spyderco Whet stone to fix.
 
Everything's easy to sharpen with diamonds.

In a tactical folder, 154CM's advantages over D2 don't really shine through. 154CM has smaller carbides and better edge stability than D2 but the blade will be pretty thick anyway so that's not a factor. And D2's being non-stainless doesn't matter unless you'll be using your knife in the kitchen. Oiling the blade once in a while is no hassle at all.
 
so far it looks to be split down the middle as to which steel I should buy. Please keep responding as I really value the input of all the forum members.
 
D2 is going to have a toothier edge even if you apply a high polish to it. If you want more push cutting ability, go with the 154. D2 slices like a bastard for a very long time and the 710's recurve only heightens that ability. I wouldn't worry too much about sharpening, in my experience D2 takes a little more time to sharpen than 154 but it pays off in edge retention. I have a 710 in 154CM and given the choice I'd rather have the D2. I find I do more slicing with it and since it's a larger folder I usually use it when camping or hiking and edge retention wins out in the field for me. I like to EDC smaller blades during the week with an extremely polished 'razor' edge. Also, since all the D2 710s are coated, staining shouldn't be much of a concern.
 
I EDC a 710 D2, and it's shaving sharp. I really don't find it that hard to keep sdharp. OTOH, I don't let it get so dull that I have to use anything other than the Sharpmaker.

I really like D2.
 
Both are very good, but I also prefer the D2. I have some customs in D2 (Charles May), and a Cabela's Benchmade Griptillian.
 
My personal preference is 154CM over D2 anytime (well, maybe not in a hatchet). Some guys can get their D2 super sharp....I can't. Mine stops at "sharp". Admitedly, this is an expertise issue, but it's shared by many. 154CM will hold a super-sharp edge more than long enough to make any knife-man happy. My D2 will hold its "edge" for a very long time. The probblem is in the definition of "edge".
 
I am glad you asked. I just sharpened my 710 D2 on my brand new Spyderco sharpmaker and I got on this forum to talk about it. My 710 was a dull from the factory so decided this was the perfect time to compliment my little knife collection with a sharpener.
I follwed the instructions in the pamphlet and the knife sharpened up great and it was easier to sharpen than my spydercos. Now there is a pile of shredded junk mail, bills and bank statements on my coffee table.
 
I've carried and used both some time ago. IMHO, I'd take the D2 version. It does hold an edge longer than 154CM. My 710D2 takes a bit more time to get that 'hair poppin' edge (using a Shaprmaker Fine and Ultrafine stones with stropping afterwards), but it is worth it. I've had no problems with chipping or staining (black blade version, anyway).
 
Both are great knives and you really won't see much of a difference between the two.

Neither will be hard to sharpen if you take your time with it and don't let it get too dull. But if I had to make the choice again (there was no D2 when I got my 710, only 154cm and M2) I'd still go with the 154cm. I've played with the D2 710 and while it's just as nice of a knife, I like the edge that 154cm takes better than D2.

You really can't go wrong here though. But my vote goes to 154cm.
 
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