Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades D2 performance from different makers

I don't have an exhaustive collection of knives in D2, but I have tried several from the biggest names. Recently Dozier D2 received high marks from a well known internet knife nerd. I know sharpening skills and knife design have a lot to do with performance, but there seems to be a real gap in the performance of D2, even among the well known names. Anyone want to share their experience?

I have a lot of D2 Ingrams that I love, his heat treat is on point. I have a Benchmade D2, that doesn't act the same and I'm not a fan. That's my only comparison.

I have a Dozier YPS in his D2. It is excellent on all counts. It's easy to sharpen on ceramic or a DMT and it won't need sharpening again for longer than anything else I own. If you get one, I recommend his Wilderness sheath as well. I have a Spyderco in CPM D2 that is extremely hard to get a good edge on.

Anyone have a Queen Cutlery Trapper in D2? Wondering how they stack up?

The only D2 I have left are by G.Ingram, C. May and those with the Dozier name on it. Those guys make D2 a pleasure to own and use. Any other D2 I had are long gone thank goodness.

I wouldn't have the time or patience to fiddle with D2 that's not on par with these makers. I'm sure there are others who have figured out the heat treatment, but unless at least 2 reliable sources tell me who has D2 mastered, I'm good where I am.

Mass produced factory knives with D2--not happening.

I think I only have one D2 blade, a Spey from 2004 by Ingram. Skinned, gutted, quartered a medium blacktail where it fell and it was still scary sharp. That's good enough for me. Always wanted to try a Dozier, just haven't got around to it

IMO, hard to be David Winston’s D2.

That black scaled orange pin knife is very nice Dave!

Thnaks!

Winstons #91

Maybe my favorite of his patterns.

Along with the #43/#45

Blade geometry, heat treat, and whether they use cryo all amounts to different results from same steel.
How they are tempered and what final RC is attained makes a difference.
I know some makers who advertise high RC which I don’t think is attainable with the steel they are using.

I really like that upswept blade with a fine point.

It’s a nice one isn’t it?

Another #91.

Matching set in crosscut micarta.



#45 in yellow g10. Blue trim.

Dave,
After seeing your model #91 I asked Mr. Winston if he could do a model #91 with a model #43 handle/scales which he said no problem.

Its his model #92 and I agree his knives sure are nice. And yes his D2 sure seems to hold up great, never had an issue with the one I have that is D2, all his others have been S30V.

That is a great design combo of blade and handle shape. Bet that works game up effortlessly.

He made me one like it after your idea.

That’s the red one i posted above.

Yessir.

I like it.

Esp with the slight swedge and a tapered tang.

Some of the cheaper knives use D2 MIM [Metal Injected Molding] steel.

I don't know how this compares to forged D2.

🤔

I’ll have to second those with high regard for Dozier and May. Have both - they get scary sharp using a Accusharp (like DMT) kit and stay that way for quite some time

My Dozier is just excellent but I and friends all dumped our Knives Of Alaska.

An interesting conversation that mirrors my experience. I have custom knifes in pretty much all the new and “premium “ steels, yet, it’s always seemed that my Dozier performs better. I’ve wondered about this.

I have 4-5 D2s all from different makers, all from different heat treaters. Not surprisingly, they all have different performance characteristics and sharpen differently. There is not a one of them though that I would consider lacking in any way. Can't say though that I have a favorite, either for use, or sharpening. Good steel, good blades, low maintenance. A person could do just fine with D2, and only DS2, for a long time. I do like some other steels more, and for good reason, but D2 ain't too bad.

I love my #45 in D2. Been my go to knife the past few years. The craftsmanship is top shelf for sure.

I have to try and get Winston 91 or 92. Not many Winston’s on the secondary market.

The best I’ve used was from Reese Bose. His D2 tests at R62 and he heat treats in house. It’s a little harder than most and requires diamond to touch up. Strop with diamond paste on a straight piece of hard maple is about all it needs. But a 600 DMT works nicely with a very light touch.

Anybody have any experience with civivi d2 knives?

Made in Tiawan ? I have some of the Rat R2D2's made in Tiawan and they are ok for rough use everyday carry, They sharpen easy.

Yep. Between [bleep] D2 like Ontario and really good like custom makers.

My friend Pete published this:

3rd down...Elementum D2

Nice. That’s the one I was looking at. Seems like a good blade for $50.

You like the knife?

Beauty!

+1...missed this: awesome!!!

In all honesty all I can comment on is build quality and function; both excellent.

Sadly, I've not had the time to actually test it.