Thank you. Really appreciate that. You spent a whole lot of efforts to proof and take into some real tests. Rather than tons of other reviews keep talking about hard facts and showing off like 20 of their other knives collections in half of their video. Thanks for making this test.

From what I've seen (Supersteel Steve) D2 is mostly fine, but it's very difficult to heat treat properly, so there's a huge variation in D2 quality out there

AUS 8 is similiar to a 440 stainless steel. D2 is a high carbon steel and will rust quicker. In certain environments, the Aus8 is a far better choice. In the simple basis of edge retention, the D2 is a "better" steel. But, the AUS8 sharpens so incredibly quickly and easily, it makes it's worth up in leaps. Plus, the AUS 8 saves quite a bit of money, if you look hard enough. Got both an AUS 8 and a D2 OKC Rat 1. I prefer to daily carry the AUS 8 for I abuse it and almost never rub it down with oil. It simply takes it and doesn't rust. The D2 will rust pretty quick, but admittedly, does hold an edge longer.

I have both versions. They are both great knife steels. They are very different. I can sharpen the D2 to razor sharp by finishing on a 4000 grit water stone and leather strop with green chromium oxide but it takes about three times as long as AUS 8 and greater care. It takes seconds to sharpen either knife on paper wheels and I have seen the D2 sharpen just about as fast as AUS 8 using good diamond plates and diamond paste strop. I can sharpen AUS 8 with the fine side of an axe puck and my belt as a strop. I can put a serviceable edge on D2 that way but it won't be a great shaver. It will get coarse leg hairs but not fine arm hairs. If I had to use one of these knives for processing big game animals in the field I would prefer the AUS 8. (My actual hunting knife is a Buck 110 I inherited from my uncle Randy. ) What counts there is the ability to quickly maintain the sharpest edge while processing 4 or more animals (at least 2 tags for me and 2 for my son). With a little strop in between each and probably one full resharpening out in the middle of nowhere. In town and at work I like the D2 because it will cut abrasive materials longer and I can take advantage of more sophisticated sharpening techniques at home. They are both great but they have very different personalities.

Thank you for doing this and uploading it for everyone else to enjoy and learn from.

My god would you look at that scratch free cutting board. Hang in there little buddy, the next few years are gonna be wild!

Good video, and it sold me on AUS8 (budget knife - needs to be sharp when I need it, doesn't need to stay sharp for long) considering how fast I rust into everything - including nitride-treated stainless steel. Seems good enough for what I'd use it for.

Was just searching for a D2 cut test and happened to notice how much weight you lost since back then. Great job.

D2 doesn’t hold an edge that much more than Aus8, but it’s a lot harder to bring the edge back. I’d rather have a edc blade that I can resharpen with the bottom of a coffee cup if I have too.

D2 has around 3% vanadium(different sources may have more or less)The gets toothy instead of just dulling.This is one of the reasons D2 is one of my favorite steels.

This channel is my go to for all my knife related inquiries. He’s done all of the leg work already.... anytime I have a question regarding performance, this bloke has already answered it for me.

Aus 8 is less expensive, easier to sharpen and is stainless. Most people would would never notice the difference honestly. Rat 1 is a great knife overall though. I own both and love them.

Thank you for taking the time to do this test and upload the video. I like practical science like this.

It would be very interesting, to see the same blade materials compared, including resharpening times. Actual overall times, of cutting/resharpening needed for 500 cuts.

I wish there could be more steel test videos like this. Great video and concept. Subscribed.

I know this is an old one -- maybe you have a different procedure now (and I have seen your 1 hour long compendium video on edge retention). But....I think it would have been a good data point to note how well each of the knives in these experiments were able to recover sharpness by a it of stropping. First, of course, how easily a knife can recover from getting dull is nearly as important as how quickly it dulls. But secondly, I'd still love to learn more about what really HAPPENS when a knife dulls; perhaps some of these knives would recover by stropping, and some others WOULDN'T.

Rewatching this in March 2021 and the comment about D2 at the end "getting toothy" instead of dull has me thinking this is a good candidate for #dualgrit #thegabemethod sharpening. Can't wait to try it out.

And this is why D2 should be the budget steel of choice. (less you live in humid environments). That said.. Budget steel. These knives I see in D2 for $100+ are insane IMO.

D2 done right is a good working steel.

Brainstorming here, maybe if you staple some small section of tube or pipe to pass the rope through that's a slightly larger diameter than the rope you can save your hand on those m390 tests. FFT. Needed this exact review. Size of the rat2 is perfect but D2 has so much more edge retention. That carbon fiber is sweet too.

Can we get a VG10 vs D2? Just got myself an Esee Avispa D2 and a Bestech Pebble. Esee Avispa might see some heavier use, but both are kind of just EDC for me.

To everyone saying D2 is better, D2 seems a lot better at staying sharp. Keep in mind that it isn't better for every knife and every person. I would bet that it rusts easier, is more brittle, and is harder to sharpen.

Nice practical review... D2 is definitely a step up from AUS8. Any chance you could name or link the music you used?

Glad i watched this video. i had just ordered the aus8 rat 1 for $30 with free prime shipping on amazon. Then i checked out the d2 ones and saw they were $41 plus free shipping but not through prime. i was wondering if i made the right choice but now im glad i did! U got a sub from me

i like high end steels but i still take a knife to the ceramic stone well before 56 cuts

I came for the review...and stayed for the music

Benchmade's CPM D2 is insane. My Benchmade 51 is still sharp after 7 months EDC.

I Love These Knife Blade Tests People Do,,,,,,,I Got The SRK In 3V Steel & It's The Best I Ever Had !!!! I Wish You Tubers Would Do MORE Tests On 3V Steel Blades !!

Just bought two AUS 8 rat 1’s at Walmart for $13.99 each. Oregon

I might add I am a very experienced HT, maker of D2 knives

I live on the west coast of Florida and no one has mentioned the ability of D2 to rust ... I guess it was a convenient omission ... Great effort with the video ...

I've had AUS 8 before. I'll NEVER pay for that garbage again. I've had D2 on many knives and NEVER a problem. Thanx for the video my Bladed Brother 👍 ⚔️ ✝️ 🇺🇲

i noticed that you varied your cutting technique. with the aus8 version, you used a conventional cutting motion. yet later, with the d2 version, you began to push cut with your finger on top of the spine. obviously, this adds greater leverage. hence, a greater mechanical advantage. .. just something that i noticed...

Here right now in the US the aus 8 is 1/2 to 1/3rd the D2s if you go with carbon fiber on the black D2. The normal D2 is about a $10 difference though.

Yes enjoy these blade test results. Aus8 is in the 440b class of steel .its a good fair cutting steel .i like it. Old steel to .thanks good work.

I like my aus8 aus10 a bit more but I hate sharpening d2. Takes to long.....

Now, how much effort to bring each blade edge back?

What a great video! A worthwhile test with the head-to-head comparison of Aus-8 vs. D-2. Nice vid, man!

Very good comparison. Thank you for your time and effort. Cool music too.

I think the table is more what's dulling the knife rather than the rope

Looks like I'll be ordering a new rat, never knew i could get it in different blade steels

I was just watching hing to see you cut your fingers off, good skill mate

Bwahaha! Just having a look at this because I have the AUS8 version....but man, you've come a looong way mate! This is actually pretty funny Pete :o).

I'll go with the AUS 8 because honestly how often are you going to use it everyday. It's cheaper and won't rust as easy as D2. The only thing is you'd need to sharpen your knife more on Aus8 then you would have to on D2.

Nice test.Made my hands hurt to watch. Thanks for sharing

Realistic and straight forward . Well done

There's a reason D2 steel is still used in quality knives. These new steels might be slightly better, but not by as much most think

Awesome, FANTASTIC reviews. YOUR TEST METHOD is an Extremely high-value reference point, and YOUR TESTS are my first stop when I'm curious about a particular steel. MANY THANKS for your tenacity. You deserve success and respect for your content.

There is a reason that there are so many different types of steel used to make blades. It isn't just because of the cost of the steel. D2 is my overall favorite steel depending on the maker. Not all knife makers that use D2 actually heat treat it properly. Also D2 may retain its edge longer, but in turn is harder to properly sharpen. Most people that carry a pocket knife have no clue about how to properly sharpen any blade steel, let alone D2. Although aus8 doesn't s stay sharp as long, it literally takes 30 seconds to quickly put a shaving sharp edge back on

What is the resharpening like for a average/poor sharpener? I wondered if the AUS8 would get its edge back easier where the D2 would make those extra cuts and then be very difficult to resharpen for the average guy (me).

Just found your channel the other week. God I fucking love you and your channel. Amazing quality and content. You are a godsend.

AUS-8も結構優秀な鋼材と思っていたけれども、D2はそれの倍の刃持ちとは恐れ入る！錆びやすく無ければ今でも現役で通用する優秀な素材だね。ELMAXとも比較してみてほしい。あれはきっと手ごわいぞ！

Their both good steels but very different. D2 is a tool steel and is hard as hell when heat treated. Its very sensitive to heat, like trying to drill a hole through it. If you let it get too hot ie. without coolant, it will "work harden on you and will be harder than the drill bit. Aus 8 has more chromium and less carbon. Both good but each has its strengths and weaknesses. A carbon steel will be more flexable but rust easier. All are good for their intended use is the best way to put it. Ask yourself, "what am i going to be using this knife for", then pick you're steel. Good video.

I want another Rat, I don’t really want an Aus 8 version. The D2 seems to be the go.

I watched all of the slicing. I couldn't look away, in fact. It was...mesmerizing.

The trick is not letting it get dull to start with. Keeping the edge sharp is a lot easier than reproducing the sharp edge after its gone...

Great vid, thanks! What was the background music? Loved the vibe. EDIT: hah, just realized I'm like the 5th person to ask that and the answer is "imovie stock music", lol.

I have both and appreciate both, but appreciate the D2 more! LOL BY THE WAY, DO AVOID ANY FORM OF LIGHT SOURCES BEHIND YOU IN A CAMERA SHOT...? It totally messes with your cameras exposure and as you can see, makes you appear as a dark figure rather than any kind of lighting on your face at all. This is why studio lights point toward the subject of the camera, and not pointed at the camera.

Nice video, mate! Great to see a local enthusiast, for a change.

How a serrated knife with less quality steel compare in cutting rope vs a plain edge premium steel? you don’t have such a test, would be interesting. If cutting rope is your primary comparison test.

My first knife purchase as a collector/nerd happened to be D2 so I'm pleased af

Very unscientific personal opinion: AUS8 is much easier to sharpen into razor sharp with only simple sharpening tool. My EDC is a AUS8 Cold Steel Finnwolf. Sharpens like a dream.

I've been lately on memory lane and using and testing my old recon1 in Aus8a and im surprised how well it holds it's edge, i had waaay back an KA-BAR dosier in aus8 it didn't nearly hold it's edge as well as cold steel.

I'd take the AUS8 for daily carry and the D2 (with rust resistant treatment at least on the actual edge) for a go bag.

The D2 model seems to be discontinued am I right? It's very unfortunate because as much as I like that model I think I'd rather get a better steel than AUS 8, but that's the only version of that knife available right now...

On that note I have to make a recommendation here based on a recent purchase: Y-start Jin02. Its a similiar knife, its made from D2, has ball bearings and g10 scales and a axis-style lock. Fit and finnish is perfect. And its like $15. Its quite possibly the best value folder on the market right now beyond any Ganzo, Sanrenmu or similiar chinese brand. Dont think about it, buy it and thank me later. (On a side note, it actually fits in the elastic loop on the side of a letherman sheath thanks to being more rounded than the RAT). I never heard of the company before but I expect to see alot from them in the future.

Does D2 perform better with a toothy or fine edge? What grit do you prefer stopping at?

Thanks for the video. The rat ones are nice knives. Keep up the good work sir

You can buy an AUS 8 for about $30 and the D2 for $40 here where I live

Whenever he said he was going to tape off the tip end and cut with the other end I was just thinking, that’s a bold move.

4 years later $19.00 at Walmart for Aus8 version. That's about perfect for what ya get. D2 is excellent for regular grinds but not good for scandis from my experience. It's so dang chippy ... I'm guessing with a micro vex scandi it would do better but crazy zero grind purest ...not so much. I can't stand zero grind Scandi blades so it's a non issue for me. That's an insanely huge step up for a small price difference.

G'day, great vid. Just wondering if you could suggest some places to buy folding knives in Australia. Im not keen to pat 3 times the price that the US pays. Thanks

Thank's for doing this! much appreciated.

Awesome test video Pete!

D2 definitely cuts longer than aus 8. It’s a lot more difficult to grind too. D2 takes about four times the effort when forging and grinding is tougher, but the effort and expense is worth it.

Thank you. Helped me decide between the two! 🔪🗡️

Excellent review, very helpful and informative! Thank you!

Aus 8 is not bad... 🤷🏼‍♂️ It's a good blade 🔪.. Surely there are better ones.. But it's survival and defend usable.. 😉 🙂

I like the Chinese style music. But it sounds a little sad. Thanks for the hard work.

You're from SA?! That's so cool. Me too! Fairly new follower to your channel but really enjoy all your videos. Got my first folder I carry daily last year. Can I send it to you for a review? Byrd Raven 2 (CTS BD1) am curious how this steel stands up to your testing!

D2 is my favorite steel for a hard use knife. It is a seriously tough and rugged steel that can hold its own against even more exotic steels. American steel really is top notch as far as affordability goes.

What is the song

D2 is tool steel. It's durable. AUS8 is soft af.

Very nice to see. Great video. Going to look at that D2 option right now.

I wonder how much of the dulling is due to the sisal vs the cutting surface (wood board)? 🤔

Is there a way I can get a copy of all your results somewhere? It’s literally a very useful guide for me

Quality review with Great Music too

Do you have a spreadsheet available with all your data for the different steels

so d2 can hold an edge longer maybe harder steel does that mean it cant flex as well? wonder which would flex better

Hello have you did any test on the HCR 13 mov if so can you tell me the test results or the name of the video thanks and I love your videos lots of great information

Was the d2 sharper to begin with? It appeared to be in the video.

these videos are so relaxing

Thank you for the test!

Great comparison. Thanks!

Nice video man. I have 4 AUS8 & 2 D2 bladed versions. I prefer the D2. Take care.

THANKS!!! I have a RAT 1 IN AUS 8. I've been thinking about getting the D2 version. I just assumed it was better. Now I know for sure.

I think there's too much emphasis on edge retention. When I get a knife, I take care of my blades and when I take out my D2 blade only to see rust has formed along the edge or on one side, to hell with it. I've never had rust form on any of my AUS8A blades. The one thing one should _never_ do is store a D2 blade in a leather holster-like sheath. I use BreakFree® on all my steel knives and it usually works great. But D2 managed to defeat it.

Retention of edge of the knife depending on material hardness. That's it mates.

Hit the aus 8 with honing steel and keep going, repeat until its actually dull lol

idk....maybe because the video is old but.... we see D2 cuts around 100 times here.... so same as c100 and 1095 and 80crv2? i saw you test mora which has c100 and jaakari puuko which has 80crv2 both did 100 times maybe those carbon steels are tougher than D2 but they wont hold an edge for the same time maybe the test makes D2 look bad because although D2 is not known to hold a fine edge for long it is known to hold a working edge for very long