What Is CPM-D2 Blade Steel?

CPM-D2 is not normal D2, in this Blade Steel Series, TC breaks down the difference in these two blade steels.
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[@WilliamWallis]

Very well explained. I actually learned something which is a small miracle. 🗡️

[@SMKWcom]

That’s awesome! Glad you’re here with us! 😎

[@kevinAuman1]

I think you have got the kershaw composite blades backwards as the cutting edge is made of cpmD2 whereas the spine is made of n690 atleast on the ones that I own anyways...

[@poncho151]

I believe you’ve got it backwards in your description of the kershaw composite blades. It’s n690 on the back/spine for corrosion resistance and cpm D2 on the edge for edge retention and stability. I love cpm D2, it reminds me a lot of XHP in performance and sharpening, it’s great stuff and I appreciate when people defend it and show it some love!

[@SMKWcom]

Even TC gets confused 🤣

[@beck4218]

CPM-D2 is fantastic and underrated.

[@PoetFisherman]

I like the one example of CPM-D2 that I own, the Kershaw Dividend. It seems to take a noticeably keener edge than standard D2. Good stuff.

[@SMKWcom]

We love using and working with different steels to see how they fit how work/lives

[@PoetFisherman]

@SMKWcom oh man, don't get me started; I could drone on and on about what steels I like for what circumstances and uses. I assume like a lot of us, I put a bunch of thought and time into what knife in what steel is going into my pocket on a given day. I pick a one based on several what-ifs that could pop up for what I plan to do and where I plan to be. Then I chuckle to myself when I could have used poorly treated 420j2 to open the bag of chips I used a PM2 in S110V on.😆 At least my knives get a workout on the job most days.

[@willb7713]

TC, glad you guys did this. I thought the same thing initially, until I talked to a designer, maker and professional knife sharpener who was able to explain it.

[@SMKWcom]

It is easy to get confused, Greg just stays that way to avoid all the extra running around 🤣

[@TomBostian8255]

Thanks for helping me understand the difference.

[@SMKWcom]

That was what were hoping to help with 🙌🙌🙌

[@arrowheadguys7637]

Had Crucible given CPM-D2 an entirely different name that didn't include "D2" people would be loving it. I'm not a D2 fan by any means, but the tests and feedback I've heard on CPM-D2 have all been very good.

[@megacab]

Do you think it's worth what benchmade is charging? I'm not being a jerk, I'm seriously asking.

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@@megacab I mean, they sell CPM-154 knives for close to $300. So a full sized folder for under $200 ain't bad, relatively speaking. If you want a Benchmade but don't want to spend $300 then yeah I say its worth it.

[@megacab]

@@arrowheadguys7637 thank you for the feedback sir

[@arrowheadguys7637]

@@megacab Any time. I love my Benchmades. Wish they were about $50 cheaper but thats life. If you want it, get it. Thats my motto. I've heard nothing but good things about how Benchmade is heat-treating their CPM-D2 btw.

[@SMKWcom]

A good naming scheme can make a huge difference

[@WarhoundUTX]

I have multiple Medfords with CPM-D2, it holds up excellent after many hard uses and resharpens fairly easy

[@SMKWcom]

That’s great to hear!

[@scottharris6423]

I came in at the end of video. I have a Benchmade Bugout w/CPM-20CV & a Holtzman fixed blade with 1095. I am happy with both knives. I will be watching ur video from the start. Will then make a comment on these steel you mention. Thxs TC.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Scott

[@20alroco]

I just got a Rockeye Operator in CPM-D2. Im a fan of ingot D2 as a "regular" steel, I believe the CPM version is close to a super steel with a good heat treat. Only time will tell, the knife just arrived today

[@SMKWcom]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@cloakofshadow1]

There's a giant chuck of the knife "community" that doesn't realise how spoiled we are for steel choices, and that sometimes the 9/10 10/10 edge retention steels aren't universally better than other steels.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching! We love having all the great choices of steels and super steel available to us now days

[@randyscj429]

Hello SMKW, TC, thanks for explaining it to the 2D2C (2D**b2C**e) group. W/any steel ya MUST respect it and DON'T do stuff ya shouldn't do w/a folding knife (IMHO)! If ya do, then it's on YOU, not the steel it's made of. Just say'n. Hope all's well with everyone/thing, be safe and take care, "God Bless", sincerely, Randy. 🙏😇👊

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Randy! We often joke about one of the things you have to do now days is try to figure out how and what people are going to do with your product that it is not intended to do/for

[@jayr526]

I started buying Magnicut blades before I picked up the CPMD2. I may never find out how much better than plain D2 it is. I have a lot of D2 blades and basically they work very well. 8:37 I'm pleased with them.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@mdubb4855]

Im ok with 4116 on many of my Cold Steel, which I buy for lock safety and competitive pricing not supersteels. However I'd rebuy one of each in D2 if they offered it, wouldn't even have to be powder technology. The extra edge retention is a reasonable tradeoff vs the superior harsh condition corrosion resistance of 4116. For Benchmade i think S35Vn and Magnacut match Benchmade's nosebleed pricing better.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Dubb!

[@bwax1542]

I will wait and see how the CPMD2 performs for others. I'm loving my Magnacut knives way too much to consider something like CPMD2. Thanks Tc.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching B! MagnaCut is a beast!

[@mikereese15]

Thanks TC

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Mike!

[@highplains7777]

It seems like this would be an ideal steel for a custom maker. Don't know why it's not more popular with them. It's probably because there are just so many good choices.

[@SMKWcom]

We are in a golden age for knife makers at the moment

[@beastsembi1843]

Great info, nicely explained 👍🏼🙏🏼

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@SoldMyKidsForKnives]

I love the video and appreciate the sharing of information. I am curious as to how D2 stacks up against SOGs Cryo D2. Is there an advantage to the process SOG is using?

[@brettt1268]

Love you TC but the Kershaw dividend is n690 spine and CPM-D2 cutting edge

[@SMKWcom]

Even TC gets confused 🤣

[@galenmullenax4039]

Wow, thank you for your knowledge of 'Steel'!! You da man!!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching! TC really enjoys doing these

[@joncbabin]

Excellent explanation

[@SMKWcom]

🙌🙌🙌

[@larrycampbell7442]

My Leek with CPM D2 takes the best and fastest blade! I didn’t want to like it but it’s so good!

[@SMKWcom]

We love the Leek!

[@franzgeil422]

Outstanding video!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Franz!

[@sqhatr]

I agree with the price being higher for cpm d2 but things like the teton tickler still run too far away from their value in terms of price if you ask me. Being a 220 dollar fixed blade and all.

[@Iamthedudeman00]

When it comes to corrosion it is not just the amount of chronium or carbon content but it is also about purity of the material…

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@josephwing2758]

Awesome video!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidpape9179]

I’m a steel snob. I’ll stick with my magnacut, vanax, and zdp189 thank you very much

[@SMKWcom]

Nothing wrong with knowing what you like

[@LionMetalMusic-videochannel]

hi, i have Midgards Messer-Utgard - CMP-D2 - and is unbelievable strong steel , i feel that steel can't break!!

[@megacab]

CPM-D2 is different, but not worth what benchmade is charging.

[@SMKWcom]

thanks for watching

[@jayr526]

No Benchmade product is worth what Benchmade is charging for it.

[@mikecurtis2585]

Great steel never had any trouble with it!!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Mike!

[@michaelmcgill8397]

Its the other way around on the kershaw. Cpm D2 on the cutting edge

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching Michael

[@michaelmcgill8397]

Love the steel series.

[@seanlowkey9388]

You want cpm, it’s top shelf. 154cm used to be my all time favorite. Cpm154 whole different beast. Yes i know we are talking D2. But McDonald’s hamburger is not the same as Red Robin hamburger.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianlash154]

My body chemistry is too acidic for tool steels, however semi stainless they may be

[@nathanwhite5602]

Good video

[@SMKWcom]

🙌🙌🙌

[@richardhenry1969]

It still doesn’t change the fact that benchmade are overpriced. Not to mention most of these steels are more then 20 years old. So none of it is cutting edge technology. Knife companies use a steel name act like it’s the latest and greatest.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching. 😁

[@brianlash154]

And 154cm is still a great steel, despite being old So it doesn't matter how old the knife steel is, it all depends how the company takes the steel, manipulate it, heat treat it and turn it into a finished knife product. Whether it's magna cut or 1095. Some companies [tops] charge hundreds for knives made in 1095 and people buy them up quickly

[@coultermoulton1663]

So what you are trying to tell me is that Cpm d2 is powder metallurgy d2? Insanity i say!

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for watching

[@ezk9026]

The amount of work you have to do to sell a way overpriced knife hahah. The Benchmade Tax is a joke!

[@guncotton1950]

D2 will easily rust over night

[@SMKWcom]

We always suggest wiping your blades off after use and applying a thin coating of oil

[@mikeh5967]

You can put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig. Why not use a better steel? There are so many better choices. I won't pay $200 for D2, regardless of the recipe.