Which is more corrosion resistant D2 vs 3V

P

PatrickKnight

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Jan 24, 2012
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Odds are my next fixed blade will be a custom done by Big Chris. I was going to go with a stainless steel but I dont feel that they will be as tough as I am used to (my current fixed blades are 1095 52100 and A2) so I have decided (unless someone can show me data that CPM-154 or any other stainless is as tough as the steels I am used to) to go with one of these two tool steels. I think they will both be plenty tough and they are both very corrosion resistant (as close to stainless as a non stainless can get) but im curious which will hold up to the elements the best. This is what I am thinking but please if I am wrong correct me. 3V will be tougher and hold an edge longer but D2 will be a bit more corrosion resistant.

Thanks in advance guys.
 
In your position I would choose 3V based on all the things I've heard and seen. However, if you are concerned about 3V's corrosion resistance, you might benefit from looking at S35VN which if understand correctly is one of the toughest of the popular stainless steels, while also being easier to work with. I've seen Big Chris offer several blades in S35VN recently.
 
From what I have read, D2 is better ar edge retention and corrosion resistnace while 3V is nigh unbreakable by any reasonable use, including batonning. 154cm/CPM-154 are plenty tough. Just not in the league of 3V
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/953563-3V-corrosion-resistance-vs-D2-question

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/229467-Corrosion-Resistance-Of-D2-Steel

http://www.knifemakerforums.com/archive/index.php?t-672.html

Jerry Hossom:
3V has about the same corrosion resistance as D2. The problem with 3V is how it rusts. Oxide contamination at the surface results in nasty little pits under the rust. You usually see the rust as small spots, maybe just a dozen or so on the whole blade. It doesn't look like much, but under those spots are deep pits, In real terms it's much worse than the surface bloom rust on most steels which can be removed without much residual damage. I etch all my 3V blades in FeCl to remove the oxides, basically passivating the steel, and that seems to help the problem a lot. After etching I brush it out with 600 grit compound which brings the surface finish back to the same fine level it was before etching. Actually, it seems a bit finer than the finish before etching. I often do that on Stainless blades to kill some of the shine for tactical reasons.

BTW, CPM-D2 might well have better corrosion resistance than the standard material because of the CPM process reducing the amount of chromium that ends up as carbides, leaving more free chrome for protection. I asked Crucible about that but they never got back to me with an answer. An interesting fact about CPM-D2 is that the powder, as produced, is ALL austenite, non magnetic. When CPM powders are made, they are normally collected and moved into bins with a large electromagnet. When they first made CPM-D2, they discovered the magnet didn't work so they have to hand shovel the stuff. That almost killed the product before it started.
Click to expand...
 
3V outperforms D2 in every category, every day of the week. EDIT - except for corrosion-resistance... the difference between the two is so small it doesn't matter. They're both fine with moderate to zero maintenance. Neither will just turn orange on you or get all rusty along the edge.

If corrosion is a big concern, go for Elmax. Better toughness than D2 (and any stainless I know of), great edge retention, and far more stain-resistant than D2 or 3V.
 
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It will be made into a hiking/camping knife. More often than not this will be the only blade I have with me when I go outdoors.

Thanks for all the input so far guys.
 
I've got a couple 3V knives and haven't let them get rusty or pitted.

Anyone got a pic to show the way it rusts and what I might expect if somehow I neglect my Koster knives?
 
PB Wilson said:
Anyone got a pic to show the way it rusts and what I might expect if somehow I neglect my Koster knives?
Click to expand...

Purposely abused CPM-3V prototype, used for several weeks around the kitchen, house and shop - never dried, cleaned or oiled in that time:
SK3Vprotoabused.jpg



Full thread here. It cleaned up easily.
 
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