D2 steel is different from ATS-34 how?

[Snowdog]

It's official, my beloved Benchmade Stryker I puchased when they first hit the shelves years ago has finally run off for good. I've misplaced this knife countless times over the years, but I always manage to find it within a few days. Weeks went by after the last misplacing before I declared it "lost" decided I needed to replace it with another Stryker (assuming they're still made). At circa $100 a knife, I'll make certain the the location of the replacement is never in question.

After a little searching on the internet, I found the Stryker line seems to have evolved into an auto knife, something I've never personally cared for (heck, the springless Stryker opens just as fast with the flick of the thumb, sans any movement of the wrist with little practice).
I was relieved to find a full-size manual Stryker on Ebay in all its glory NIB that was nearly identical to my much loved Stryker of old... G10 scales, double titanium liners, fancy screws and all the workmanship typical of Benchmade (and made here in the good ol' USA, of course). Best of all, she was selling for a little less than $90.

But there is a slight difference. The blade material of my first Stryker was "Black T" (PTFE coated) ATS34, which I understand was a respectable Japanese steel. The material of my new Stryker is matte finish D2 "tool steel".

The only info I was able to gather so far (limited access to the internet lately due to a massively increased workload) is that it's a "semi-stainless" steel typically used in tool and die making. What the heck? I know firearms, I do not know much about knives. I know what I like and that's about it.

Here are the questions:

1) What reasons likely compelled Benchmade to change materials and what exactly is the difference? Could it be this whole "D2" steel hype is a typical profit-boosting gimmick or is there a viable difference between the two?

2) Are there any differences in qualities that earmark it for special treatment (more attention to rust prevention, more frequent sharpening, etc).

3) In terms of performance, did I step down, up or is this material on par with ATS34 as far as edge retention and overall strength is concerned? How about corrosion resistance?

I'm happy to have a Stryker back in my belt, but I have nagging questions that won't subside until answered, regardless how petty they are.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ecos]

d2 contains less chromium and and slightly more carbon so it isnt as stainless as ats-34. it will hold an edge longer. d2 is used for industrial blades on machines like wood planers. it has a reputation for "taking a bad edge and holding it forever" meaning the carbides arent as fine in it as ats34(it wont polish as well) and the edge is fairly jagged under a microscope compared to ats34, but it stays sharp a very long time.

it can rust but as long as you take care of the knife it shouldnt be a problem. d2 still has about 12% chromium so its pretty close to being stainless.

if you are looking for edge holding d2 is better. if you are looking for stainlessness ats34 is better.

personally i would pick d2 over ats34 (for myself) for anything short of a saltwater dive knife or a knife that requires a high polish.

on terry primos's site it shows you the alloying elements of different steels and the affects these elements have on the steel. http://www.primosknives.com/articles/steelcmp.htm

 

[Snowdog]

Thanks, Ecos... that does help quite a bit. Less stainless yet a bit "tougher"? I'll accept that trade-off.
I guess the inability to polish nicely explains the matte finish. However, I hope this edge does hold up well as it came razor sharp from the factory (well, shaves arm hair as effortlessly as any one of my straight razors).

Thanks for the link!

 

[Kurt_M]

You got an upgrade, D2 is good stuff when properly heat-treated (something Benchmade is good at). Hope you enjoy your knife.

 

[MadMercS55]

One of my EDC knives is a Benchmade 806 Axis lock, D2 blade steel. What was said above is very true regarding the edge. It will hold a working edge for a LONG time. It is also relatively easy to resharpen as well. In comparing to ATS34\154CM, etc. I find that they tend to "feel" sharper than the D2 does. My 806 has the BT2 black coating, but the edge has rusted lightly when neglected or submerged and not cleaned. As already mentioned, the D2, IMO is an upgrade, and the Stryker is a very nice knife.

 

[Gordon]

The increased Carbon content of D-2 gives it more Martesite crystals which give it a toothier edge that cuts much better than the soapy Austenite chromium stainless. MUCH easier to sharpen. Not quite O-1, but closer to a correct knife blade metal for non decrative/food service purposes!

 

[Kevlarman]

I've got a Benchmade Ascent in ATS-34 and an AFCK Axis in D2.

Both knives are pretty dang sharp, but I find it easier to shave my arm hair (what little I have) with the ATS-34 blade over the one made of D2.

The D2 blade stays sharp a lot longer though; I can cut up cardboard boxes all day it'll still be plenty sharp by the time I'm done with it.

Both my the knives have the BT2 coating, so rust really isn't a problem. If I'm going to be storing the knives for a long period of time, I wipe 'em down with a marine Tuf-Cloth. It also helps that I live in the desert.

 

[ghost squire]

Technically I don't think it gives it more martensite crystals. I believe you may be thinking of ferritic carbides or something like that?

 

[hso]

D2 better performer, ATS34 more rust resistant.

Ecos's link gives the tech info.