The Best Pocket Knives Made with D2 Steel

D2 steel has been prized for generations for its wear resistance, edge stability and respectable toughness. For years, D2 was deemed the go-to material for a knife blade that could handle the rigors of daily wear and tear without breaking down or losing its edge. Recent materials developments like CPM Magnacut and M390 steel have shifted D2’s position on the pyramid, and today, its star attribute isn’t its ability to resist damage or maintain its integrity, but rather, its price: D2 has become an affordable, dependable alternative to powder metallurgy stainless steels that can (admittedly) outperform it in regards to wear resistance, toughness and corrosion resistance.

If you’re in the market for a reliable blade that’s easy on the wallet without being cheaply made, D2 is going to be the metal of choice for you. Read on to discover what makes it valuable, when and where you should use it and the top knives that make the best of its combination of utility and affordability.

What is D2 steel?

D2 steel is a chromium-rich, high-carbon, air-hardening tool steel with a hardness range of 55 to 62 HRC. (HRC refers to the Hardness Rockwell C Scale, which measures the hardness of steel and its ability to retain its original shape.) All of these properties come together to form a deeply hardened steel that is durable, wear-resisting and can stand up to a temperature of 425 °C (797 °F). Thanks to its hardening capabilities, D2 steel is almost entirely free of size changes after it’s been properly treated.

How does D2 compare with other knife blade materials?

Think of D2 like a workhorse: it’s not the show pony that you’ll spend more time snapping pics of for your Instagram story than actually using, and it’s not a cheaply made substitute for the real deal that you’ll have to replace in a year or two. D2 is affordable (especially considering its fortitude and durability) and will retain its hardness and original shape even after plenty of EDC use.

The Best Pocket Knives Made with D2 Steel

Kershaw Cannonball

Kershaw

Best Unique Design

Kershaw Cannonball

The Kershaw Cannonball is a work knife that is bold, burly and tough. Featuring a BlackWash finish on its D2 blade, which hides scratches, as well as a long handle for comfortable holding and a no-nonsense stainless steel handle, the Cannonball doesn’t pull any punches.

Specs

Blade Length	3.5 inches
Blade Steel	D2
Handle Material	Stainless steel
Locking Mechanism	Frame lock
Total Length	8 inches

Pros

• No-nonsense materials make it great for tough jobs

Cons

• Can be unwieldy for smaller hands

• $69.11 at kaiusa.com

It’s unique design may throw you off at first, but the Cannonball is sure to make a splash in your everyday routine. That’s thanks to a few details: the blade has a Blackwash finish, which helps hide scratches; the assisted open makes deploying on the go easier; the handle texture, though a little odd, helps with grip; and the reversible deep-carry pocket clip makes it a low-profile carry option. This knife is billed as an everyday workhorse, and although the blade isn’t terribly thick at 0.10 inches, it’s a solid option ready to tackle most tasks.

CRKT Bona Fide Field Strip

CRKT

Best Slim Profile D2 Knife

CRKT Bona Fide Field Strip

Designed by Ken Onion in Kaneohe, Hawaii and inspired by the shape of a traditional Hawaiian waʻa, or canoe, the Bona Fide Field Strip is a slim and sleek option that combines the utility of D2 and the careful design ethos of CRKT.

Specs

Blade Length	3.59 inches
Blade Steel	D2
Handle Material	Aluminium
Locking Mechanism	Liner lock
Total Length	8.25 inches

Pros

• Flipping action is good

Cons

• Price doesn't reflect budget-minded materials

• $100.00 at crkt.com

Built with an aluminum handle and D2 steel, the Bona Fide keeps things trim at 4.3 ounces, and proprietary features like the Field Strip (easy cleaning and maintenance) and the ball bearing pivot opening will keep the blade functioning at its full potential years after its first use.

WESN Microblade

WESN

Best Keychain D2 Knife

WESN Microblade

By utilizing D2 steel in such a small package, WESN combined hard-wearing materials like titanium and G10 with an approachable profile: two attributes anyone looking for an everyday knife can appreciate.

Specs

Blade Length	1.5 inches
Blade Material	D2
Handle Material	Grade 5 Titanium Scales, w/ or w/o a single G10 side
Locking Mechanism	Frame lock
Total Length	3.75 inches

Pros

• Extremely convenient

Cons

• Easy to lose

• $89 at WESN

WESN says its Microblade is the “perfect spot where practicality and versatility meet” and we couldn’t help but agree with its logic: at just under four inches opened, with a 1.5-inch blade, the teeny-tiny Microblade can be taken anywhere and everywhere with ease. Built with Grade 5 Titanium Scales and ceramic bearings, this small-but-mighty number manages to pack in as many features as its larger counterparts: a frame lock design, lanyard hole and pocket clip. At less than one hundred bucks, WESN’s little knife packs a big punch.

Ontario RAT Model 2 Liner Lock Knife

Blade HQ

Best Budget D2 Knife

Ontario RAT Model 2 Liner Lock Knife

A trimmed-down version of OKC’s Rat Model 1, the Model 2 is an exercise in restraint, both frame a design and pricepoint perspective.

Specs

Blade Length	3 inches
Blade Material	D2
Handle Material	Nylon
Locking Mechanism	Liner
Total Length	7 inches

Pros

• Easy on the wallet

Cons

• Low on features

• $37.95 at Blade HQ
  $55.95 (32% off)

This legendary knife is equal parts economy and poise, thanks to features like the nylon handle, drop-point blade, dual thumb stud opener and four-position pocket clip. The Rat Model 2 won’t win contests for premium materials and finishes, and that’s kind of the point: If you’re looking for a hard-working knife that you don’t mind scratching up a bit, this one’s for you.

SOG Stout FLK – Blackout

Sog Knives

Best Compact D2 Knife

SOG Stout FLK – Blackout

The aptly named Stout is a sturdy, mid-sized folding knife with a 2.62-inch drop blade, flat grind, short swedge (a tapered or beveled false edge along the spine of the knife) and an oblong hole in the blade that can be used for one-handed folding or as a flipper tab.

Specs

Blade Length	2.62
Blade Material	D2
Handle Material	G10 and stainless steel
Locking Mechanism	Frame
Total Length	3.38

Pros

• Flexible carry and ergonomic design

Cons

• Too small for large jobs

• $59.95 at sogknives.com

This is the ergonomic knife you’d grab for cutting chores and other knife work that requires a bit of force and dexterity. In fact, the Stout features an extra large choil and a large finger recess in the handle; these, along with its other design features, allow for more control over a smaller knife, giving you the flexibility to get work done without having to reach for a larger, more cumbersome blade.

CRKT Pilar III

CRKT

Editor's Pick

CRKT Pilar III

The Pilar III is slightly heavy but it’s hard-working: the G10 stainless-steel handle is plenty durable, and the high-carbon stainless-steel blade takes an edge with the best of them.

Specs

Blade Length	3 inches
Blade Material	D2
Handle Material	G10 stainless steel
Locking Mechanism	Frame
Total Length	7.25 inches

Pros

• Versatile design works great for lots of tasks

Cons

• A little bulky in the pocket

• $60 at Blade HQ
  $85 (29% off)

We’ve waxed eloquent about the Pilar before, and for good reason: This knife is built to serve. As I stated in my review, it’s “practical and straightforward enough for the most inexperienced wielder of knives to handle, but built with enough know-how to keep die-hard enthusiasts satisfied, as well.” The Pilar III boasts a bevy of useful attributes: the IKBS ball bearing pivot keeps opening and closing smooth, the high-carbon, stainless steel blade is easy to sharpen, the G10 handle feels and looks bombproof and the frame lock felt secure during use. If you could only choose one D2 knife for your EDC kit, I would highly suggest this one.

Boker Mini Kwaiken Flipper Knife

Blade HQ

Best Upgrade D2 Knife

Boker Mini Kwaiken Flipper Knife

The Mini Kwaiken is one of the most influential knife designs of the 21st century, thanks to its clean lines, elegant look and simple yet effective function.

Specs

Blade Length	3.125
Blade Material	D2
Handle Material	Titanium
Locking Mechanism	Liner
Total Length	7.4 inches

Pros

• Elegant design

Cons

• Expensive

• $158.95 at Blade HQ
  $182.95 (13% off)

Lucas Burnley’s popular design got a downsize in this knife; it retains all the features of the first version, it’s just pared down to a more EDC-friendly take. The Mini Kwaiken is one of the most influential knife designs of the 21st century, thanks to its clean lines, elegant look and simple yet effective function. Boker describes Burnley’s knife as a cross between the Gentlemen Folder and Tactical Knife — and features like the removable clip, flipper, liner lock and titanium scales back up this claim. If you’re one for style, efficiency and perhaps even a little drama, look no further than this sophisticated EDC choice.

Related Topics