Is D2 steel Good for knives [The Best D2 Steel Knives] (2023)

Knives have a wide array of purposes. Whether you want a knife for hunting, survival, or day-to-day house chores, a reliable steel knife can make a world of difference.

D2 steel knives are among the most popular types of knives you can find on the market. But how good are they? Will a D2 steel knife fulfill your needs? Stick around to find out in our review.

D2 Steel Knives Review: At a Glance

D2 steel is a high-carbon, high-chromium, air-hardened tool steel. It was developed in the early 1900s and has become one of the most popular and widely used steels for making knives.

D2 steel features high hardness, excellent edge retention, and high wear resistance. It also offers good corrosion resistance and is relatively easy to sharpen. Due to its high carbon content, D2 steel can be difficult to forge but offers good value for money compared to other steels.

D2 steel is undoubtedly an excellent choice for knife blades. A D2 blade is durable, wear-resistant, and hard. Sharpening it can be a daunting task, though.

Chemical Composition

Here’s a quick overview of the chemical composition of D2 steel:

• Carbon – 1.5%
• Chromium 12%
• Molybdenum – 0.9%
• Vanadium – 1.10%
• Manganese – 0.45%
• Silicon – 0.40%
• Phosphorus – 0.03%
• Sulfur – 0.02%

The carbon content is responsible for increasing the steel’s hardness and wear resistance, while chromium boosts its rust and corrosion resistance. As for silicon, it makes D2 steel sturdier and corrosion-free, while molybdenum improves hardenability and overall strength.

It’s also worth mentioning that sulfur content makes D2 steel easier for the machine.

Hardness

D2 steel is known for its high carbon content, which gives it its hardness. With a range of 55 to 62 HRC on the Rockwell hardness scale, D2 steel knives offer excellent edge retention and wear resistance.

The high carbon content also provides good toughness, making D2 steel an ideal choice for making durable knives. In addition, the high chromium content contributes to its corrosion resistance, making it an excellent material for outdoor use.

Toughness

Hard materials are usually not that tough, but compared to other steels used in making knives, D2 steel is considered pretty tough. Some heavy-duty tasks will definitely benefit from a tough blade that’s hard to break or bend, and D2 steel can provide just that.

Wear Resistance

D2 steel offers excellent wear resistance, making it a popular choice for knives. Its high carbon content and hardness make it very durable, allowing it to maintain its sharpness for a long time. Its chromium content forms a protective layer on the steel, making it resistant to corrosion and rust.

The combination of these properties makes D2 a good choice for knives that need to be used in harsh conditions. Sharpening can be a little difficult, but the reward is an edge that lasts a long time.

Sharpenability

Because of its high resistance to wear, D2 steel is a lot harder to sharpen than many other types of steel.

We’re not saying that you’ll have to live with a dull blade if you opt for a D2 steel knife, though; you’ll just need more time to get a sharper blade. You can get better results if you use ceramic stones. Diamond stones are highly recommended too.

Edge Retention

Since D2 steel scores high in terms of hardness, it does a great job when it comes to edge retention too. You’ll rarely have to sharpen the blade of a D2 knife, thanks to its high carbon content.

Corrosion Resistance

Thanks to its chromium content, D2 steel has good rust and corrosion resistance. It’s not 100% invincible to corrosion, but it has enough resistance to keep the knife in good condition. Just keep in mind that you can’t leave it soaked in water and expect it not to rust.

The Best D2 Steel Knives in 2023

D2 steel knives are a popular choice for those looking for an affordable, durable knife. This type of steel is known for its strength and wear resistance, making it an ideal choice for those who use their knife on a daily basis.

D2 steel is made from a combination of chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum. This combination makes the steel quite hard and gives it excellent edge retention. D2 steel is also resistant to corrosion, which makes it ideal for outdoor use as well.

When looking for a knife made of D2 steel, it’s important to take into account various factors such as design, ergonomics, and blade length to ensure you get a knife that fits your needs and budget.

Now, let’s take a quick look at some of the most promising D2 steel knives you can find on the market:

1. OKC Rat 2

The Ontario RAT 2 is a popular EDC knife that has become a favorite of many knife enthusiasts. It features a 3-inch drop point blade made from D2 steel, which is known for its excellent edge retention and hardness. The pocketknife also comes with dual thumb studs, a washer pivot, and a liner lock for extra security.

This folding pocketknife is lightweight yet still strong enough to handle everyday tasks. Its ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use, and the D2 steel blade provides superior performance for its price point. All in all, the Ontario RAT 2 is an excellent choice for those looking for an affordable EDC knife with premium materials and performance.

2. Ka-Bar Dozier

The Ka-Bar Dozier D2 Folding Hunter Lockback is an award-winning classic from Kabar Knives designed by legendary maker Bob Dozier.

This special D2 version features a 3″ D2 tool steel drop point blade with a titanium nitride finish and a blue handle made from textured Zytel material. It’s a very lightweight knife due to its simplistic design, and the lock-back mechanism is perfect for everyday tasks.

For those looking for an affordable and reliable EDC pocket knife, the Ka-Bar Dozier D2 Folding Hunter is a great choice. Find one online at House of Knives for the perfect addition to your knife collection.

3. Off-Grid Caiman

Off-Grid Caiman is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and durable knife that won’t break the bank. The knife is constructed with D2 steel, a popular material for knives due to its strength and durability.

It has a G-10 handle that provides a secure grip in any weather condition, and it also has an adjustable pocket clip and lanyard hole for easy carry.

The Off-Grid Caiman is an excellent addition to any knife collection, as it offers a great combination of features and value that make it stand out from the other D2 steel knives on the list.

4. Kershaw Cannonball

The Kershaw Cannonball is a standout work knife that is tough, beefy, and offers excellent edge retention. Its 3.5-inch drop point blade is made from D2 steel and features a BlackWash finish that hides hard-use scratches.

The folder’s frame lock and steel handle provide ideal ergonomics, while its SpeedSafe-assisted opening makes it simple to use one-handed. With a handle length of 4.5 inches, the Cannonball offers a comfortable grip for extended use. It’s a great choice for those who need a reliable work knife that won’t let them down.

5. CJRB Kicker

The CJRB Kicker is a great choice for those who are looking for a reliable D2 steel folding knife. This knife features a D2 steel blade that offers excellent durability and sharpness, and its G10 handle provides a secure grip.

The ceramic ball bearing system ensures smooth opening and closing of the blade, while the recoil-lock system ensures that the blade stays securely in place.

The lightweight design makes this knife easy to carry around, making it an ideal EDC companion. With its high-quality construction and materials, the CJRB Kicker is sure to become your go-to knife for any task.

6. Ohta Knives FK5

The Ohta Knives FK5 is one of the top-rated D2 steel knives on the market. This knife is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and durable knife.

The FK5 features a 3.5-inch blade made from D2 steel, offering excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. The handle is made from G10, providing a solid grip in any weather conditions.

The FK5 also comes with a Kydex sheath, making it easy to carry and store safely when not in use. Overall, the Ohta Knives FK5 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and dependable D2 steel knife.

7. Boker Plus HEA Hunter

The Boker Plus HEA Hunter is a great choice for those looking for a reliable front flipper with an impressive D2 steel blade. This knife has an overall length of 6.69″, with a 3.32″ blade, making it a great size and weight for EDC.

It features a blue-gray G10 handle with a stainless back and a thumb pull, making it even more comfortable to use. The HEA Hunter also features a lanyard hole and pocket clip, making it easy to carry and store when not in use.

With its impressive design and sturdy construction, the Boeker Plus HEA Hunter is sure to be an excellent addition to any knife lover’s collection.

8. CRKT Bona Fide

The CRKT Bona Fide is a great addition to the world of D2 steel knives. Designed by Ken Onion, it is a rugged everyday knife that measures just over 8 inches from the tip of the D2 blade to the end of the textured aluminum handle.

With its Field Strip Gen II technology, this knife is easy to clean and makes nice, clean cuts. The strong 1.4116 blade adds durability and reliability. The Silver Sculpted Aluminum version looks great as well. The Bona Fide is an ideal choice for any outdoorsman looking for a reliable knife with great features.

9. SOG Terminus

The SOG Terminus is a reliable and well-made folding knife made of D2 steel that is sure to delight you. With its G10 handle and D2 steel blade, it is an excellent EDC option for any user.

The Terminus XR’s 2.95-inch blade has excellent edge retention that rivals more expensive steel, making it perfect for outdoor activities like climbing logs or mountains. It’s also the perfect size to carry with you and is easy to open and close thanks to the axle lock.

Today, the SOG Terminus is the preferred knife of the Navy SEAL and is field tested by U.S. Special Forces. It is a great addition to any knife enthusiast’s collection or a fantastic starter knife for those just getting started with knives.

10. Off-Grid Tracker-X

The Off-Grid Tracker-X is the perfect knife for tough use. Its full tang D2 steel blade is 5mm thick and designed for tough applications. The wide belly and apartment grind give it excellent cutting properties, while the Scandi grind, slightly longer blade, and thinner handle make it ideal for detailed cutting work.

The easy-grip Micarta scales provide an ergonomic grip and make the knife easy to handle even when wet. With its 14C28N steel blade and Kydex sheath, this knife is durable and will be a great addition to your bushcraft, hunting, survival or camping trips.

11. LionSteel M2 Hunter

The LionSteel M2 Hunter is another great D2 steel knife that you should consider. This knife features a full-tang D2 stainless steel drop-point blade with a black handle G10 scales and a blade thickness of 4 mm.

It also has a satin finish and comes with a brown leather sheath for easy carrying. With an overall length of 7.68 inches, this fixed-blade knife is ideal for hunters and outdoorsmen looking for a reliable and strong blade.

The M2 Hunter is a great choice when it comes to finding the right D2 steel knife, as it combines the durable material of D2 steel with the attractive olive wood handle.

12. Off-Grid Alpha Dog

The Off-Grid Alpha Dog is a durable fixed-blade knife perfect for outdoor activities. Made of 5 mm thick cryogenic D2 steel, it is sharp and ready for immediate use.

This steel is also used for the fixed blades of the Off-Grid Tracker-X, so you can be sure you are getting top quality. With a wide radius blade, full tang construction, and G10 scales, this knife is built to last.

The blade has excellent edge retention and is tough enough to maintain a nice edge, which is what D2 steel is known for. The Off-Grid Alpha Dog is sure to be a reliable companion on your next adventure.

13. Kizer Harpoon

The Kizer Harpoon is another top-of-the-line folding knife and fixed-blade knife made of D2 steel. With its large, teardrop-shaped D2 steel blade, it practically cannibalizes the proportions and geometry of Western kitchen knives, while its black powder coating makes it easy to sharpen and holds a great edge.

The handle is made of black micarta, which makes it comfortable to hold and esthetically pleasing. Also, the edge near the tip gives the Harpoon a unique look, making it stand out from other knives. This knife is perfect for outdoor use and as an EDC knife, making it an incredibly versatile addition to any collection.

14. Boker Magnum Collection 2020

The Boeker Magnum Collection 2020 is a limited-edition knife designed by Dietmar Pohl. It features a G10 handle and a 5mm thick Spearpoint blade made of D2 steel, which gives it great balance and stability.

The combination of stonewash and satin finish gives the blade an attractive look, while the textured G10 handle provides a secure grip. Weighing 460 grams, the Boker Magnum Collection 2020 is a reliable tactical knife that will serve you well in any situation.

This impressive fixed-blade knife is just one of many premium steel knives available from the renowned Boker brand.

15. Boker Magnum Vox Collection 2021

The Boker Magnum Vox Collection 2021 is a limited edition folding knife designed by Jesper Voxnaes, a renowned knifemaker. The blade is made of 440C steel, a high-quality steel known for its durability and edge retention.

The handle is made of olive wood and offers a classic and comfortable design. The Vox Collection 2021 also features a liner lock for a secure lock and a reversible pocket clip for convenient carry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Overall, these knives all offer excellent performance and quality, with their D2 steel blades being a major highlight. Whether you’re looking for a tactical folding knife, a hunting knife, or a stylish collector’s piece, there is sure to be a D2 steel knife on this list that will fit your needs.

When choosing a D2 steel knife, it’s important to consider the specific features that are important to you, such as blade shape, handle material, and locking mechanism. Additionally, be sure to consider the intended use of the knife, as some knives may be better suited for certain tasks than others.

No matter which D2 steel knife you choose, you can be confident that you’re getting a high-quality tool that will provide years of reliable use. So whether you’re a knife enthusiast, a hunter, or just someone who appreciates a good tool, be sure to add a D2 steel knife to your collection.

See also:

• 440C Stainless Steel Review [Is 440c steel good for a knife]
• CTS XHP Steel Review [Is it a Good Knife Steel?]