Is the D2 Kabar that much better than stainless?

Question

I am just wondering if it is worth paying twice as much to get the D2 Kabar knife rather than the standard steel or stainless steel....

they say it has significantly better edge holding ability, but is it that much better???

Answer 1

It is only worth it if you really plan to use it.  D2 is the steel that many dies are made from.  When doors for cars are stamped out the die is usually made from d2 steel.

I have a d2 steel Queen pocket knife that I have used for 3 years and not sharpened and I use it  regularly.  I also have a bowie knife made from D2 steel that I cut a small tree down with and it will still cut paper.

Answer 2

for routine camp use and around the house, I would buy the standard blade out of 1095 usually (and maybe a couple of spares)

If I had reason to suspect that my life (or others) really might depend on the blade, I would buy the D2 blade

I would buy the stainless (440A) only if I knew it would routinely be exposed to salt water or if I was going to be  constantly using it in a wet environment where I could not give it normal care (boat or tackle box?)

I have 2 of the regular blades (1095 - one Camillus and the other an Ontario - and I have used one to cut down a 6" diam tree)

Answer 3

D2 is superior to your average stainless steel. Because carbon is always better than stainless. I don't know about it when it comes to KA-BAR's 1095 carbon they usually make knives out of. I don't know if it's really worth the price difference. I would just go with there regular 1095.

KA-BAR's can hold there edge for years without having to resharpen and thats with lots of use and that says somthing because you'd be surprised what people use that knife for. It's not uncommon for that knife to be used like you would an axe.

Answer 4

Pardon the pun, but the tool steels, O2,M2,and D2 have the edge over stainless steels.