Why doesn't Benchmade use D2 more often?

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nonbox

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Why doesn't Benchmade use D2 more often? Why does BM use M2 instead of D2? I know BM made the BM-806D-2. What else is made in D2?


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M2 is basically made to cut other steels. It will hold an edge amazingly long. Although, if it gets dull, you better have some type of diamond sharpener, because M2 is a bear to sharpen. Personally, I'm not a big fan of it, or D2 for that matter. D2 makes a wonderful blade, but it is more prone to breakage than a typical carbon steel, and more prone to rust than the average stainless. Others would put this in a positive light by switching it around; less like to rust than a typical carbon steel, less likely to break compared to most stainless. I'll stick to what I like: If a blade is over 6 inches, give me carbon, and stainless for 6 and under.
 
I want to see something made with T1

18% tungston :rolleyes:

Just need my uncle to grind it for me
 
Benchmade has done a lot of blades in D2, mostly limited runs in the 710, 705, Ares and some others.

Personally, while I like D2 from Bob Dozier I do not like D2 from Benchmade (and I'm a BIG Benchmade fan).

The way they heat treat their D2 leaves it too brittle IMO. This puts me in a bind because one of my favorite tacticals is my 806d2, I use it a lot but end up reprofiling often to get the chips out. I've had the same experience with probably 6-8 other D2 Benchmades so I know it's not an isolated case.

Based on extensive use I would rate M2 a step up from any super stainless. I find it only slightly more difficult to harpen than S30V and have not had any problems with corrosion given minimal care in humid NE Ohio.

With that said I still prefer S30V, ATS34/154cm, 440c, BG42 or another good stainless over carbon just for ease of maintenance.
 
I like the M2 steel used in my BM710HSSR. I haven't had any problems sharpening it, but I use an Edgepro and the aluminum oxide stones seems to have no trouble with it, and other tough steels. I've seen some people say aluminum oxide stones cut faster than diamond?
 
Doesn't M2 rust easy? BM's M2 blades are coated in BT2 and now in BK but sooner or later the black coating will come off.


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D2 is relatively expensive, difficult to work, and inhabits the strange place between stainless and tool steels. I don't imagine the marketing or accounting people like it very much, even though I do.
 
nonbox said:
Doesn't M2 rust easy? BM's M2 blades are coated in BT2 and now in BK but sooner or later the black coating will come off.
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Yeah, most tool steels are that way, except D2, which is part of the reason people like it I guess.
 
J.Davey said:
less likely to break compared to most stainless.
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Humm, I disagree here. I think D2 is as brittle as 440C, ATS-34/154CM and the like.

J.Davey said:
I'll stick to what I like: If a blade is over 6 inches, give me carbon, and stainless for 6 and under.
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On that, we are on the very same page.
 
Too many factors to address when asking which is the "better steel". What are you going to use your knife for? (In fact, do you use your knife on a daily/ regular basis so that you are qualified to make a determination of which steel is better?). Are you in a harsh environment? Such as marine/ salt water, tropical, corrosive chemicals, etc.

As far as Benchmade goes, I have used their D2 and M2 on their AFCK models. I have found that they both hold a good edge. And can readily be sharpened on a diamond benchstone with just slightly more effort than non tool steels. Note that these flat ground blades have a necessarily thicker edge. And requires some out of the box rework of their edge bevels to a slightly thinner profile. Benchmade, are you listening? :) (Unfortunately no :grumpy: )

None of my AFCKs have developed any corrosion except for some very subtle dark spots on the M2 edge. This is due to not cleaning the blade after use. A clean swipe with some WD40 cures all. :) Note that I do not use either on foodstuff often. So corrosion or any rust is negligible. Again, proper steels for the proper job.

And finally, the performance of most any steel depends on its heat treat. A Benchmade heat treated D2 blade is not a Dozier heat treated D2 blade. And most certainly not the other way around either! ;)

N.
 
nonbox said:
Why doesn't Benchmade use D2 more often? Why does BM use M2 instead of D2? I know BM made the BM-806D-2. What else is made in D2?
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Balisongs. Lots of new Bali-songs. :)
 
I don't like the fact that corrosion/rust can form on the uncoated edge and once the black bt2 comes off the M2 is exposed.

When will BM come out with the BK coated M2 steel Nimravius?



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