D2 vs S35VN
S35VN is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen, and the two tie on edge retention. The biggest gap is corrosion resistance (7/10 vs 4/10). D2 is the cheaper steel (budget vs mid-range price tier).
Who wins each property
Side by side
| D2 | S35VN | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tool steels | Powder metallurgy stainless steels |
| Hardness | 58–61 HRC | 58–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Toughness | 3/10 | 5/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Price tier | Budget | Mid-range |
| Maker | Generic (AISI) | Crucible |
Composition
| Element | D2 | S35VN |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 12 | 14 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.9 | 3 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1 | 2 |
| Niobium (Nb) | — | 0.5 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
Property by property
Edge retention
Both rate 6/10 for edge retention. Vanadium: 0.9% vs 3%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
S35VN is tougher: 5/10 against 3/10 for D2, a 2-point gap.
Corrosion resistance
S35VN resists corrosion better: 7/10 against 4/10 for D2, a 3-point gap. Chromium: 12% vs 14%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
S35VN is easier to sharpen: 5/10 against 4/10 for D2, a 1-point gap.
Knives in each steel
D2
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civivi Elementum C907A | Civivi | 2.96" | 2.89 oz | Liner lock | $59 | Blade HQ |
| QSP Penguin QS130 | QSP | 3.06" | 3.14 oz | Liner lock | — | Blade HQ |
S35VN
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Tolerance 0450CF | Zero Tolerance | 3.25" | 2.45 oz | Titanium frame lock | $295 | Blade HQ |
Shop D2 knives Shop S35VN knives
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FAQ
Which is better, D2 or S35VN?
S35VN is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen, and the two tie on edge retention. The biggest gap is corrosion resistance (7/10 vs 4/10). D2 is the cheaper steel (budget vs mid-range price tier).
Which is harder, D2 or S35VN?
D2 is typically run at 58–61 HRC and S35VN at 58–61 HRC.
Is D2 or S35VN more rust resistant?
S35VN (7/10). D2 is a tool steel; S35VN is a powder metallurgy stainless steel.