D2 is not really looked at as a high impact steel for choppers these days . . .
with one notable exception . . . the Kershaw Outcast. As you may suspect, however, Kershaw had to lower the hardness level to attain the toughness necessary to use D2 in a dedicated chopper. From all accounts, they were successful. IIRC, the Outcast has a hardness rating of 55-57 Rc.
I suppose it is a fair notable exception. But, there have been quite a few critics of the Outcast. And I am not sure why Kershaw went with D2 for that blade. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> - Semi-small machete.
There is not much doubt in my mind that many of the simple carbon tough steel would have provided a better combination of toughness WITH edge retention than they achieved with the D2.
I am pretty sure 52100, 5160, 1095, 0170-6 would have all been better.
There are some other more stainless choices that would have probably been better to. I am not 100% certain, but if the reason for D2 was to maintain more stainless, I am pretty sure Bohler's N685 would have been better as well. Maybe even N690. Probably others as well.
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