How to sharpen D2 tool steel knives?

How do you sharpen your D2 blades? Ceramic or other? Any pointers?

Try using a grinder. I have never been able to sharpen a tool steel blade.
A mill bastard sharpens them a little.

I sharpen mine with DMT diamond hones. I have course, medium and fine. They do an excellent job on d2. Here's an example and it is indeed shaving sharp.

You tube has some videos. Looks like tungsten carbide works.

I use a Tormek T4

Good to know. My Sog Trident AT-XR has D-2. Heard it is tougher to sharpen than Aus-8 or 420.

Diamond stones in a Lansky or similar type sharpener. The stones are only half of it...maintaining a consistent angle is the other half. This is where a guided stone system really helps. I have a SOG TAC XR and a SOG Terminus both in D2 and have no trouble maintaining a hair shaving edge on them.

D2 is a very tough tool steel and is tough to sharpen or grind on with a standard stone. Diamond stones work best.
Being a toolmaker for 40 yrs. I used to machine and harden the material building stamping dies. In soft state it was tough on cutoff saw blades and end mills.

Spyderco Sharpmaker

diamond lansky, message me if you would like a tutorial i wrote years ago on its use

if D2 is properly heat treated it will almost wear down a diamond stone. at least the 4 I have will. I can run it ten times on a diamond stone and nothing happens to the blade lol

Well I read Sog uses a Cryo treated D-2 but imagine most do. Luckily came reasonably sharp. Glad for the tips though. The pull-through Lansky probably won't cut it that I have. Good job maybe for Aus-8. So many steels out there it is mind boggling.

diamond stones can wear out over time

One of my favorite knife steels is D2. I have used a set of DMT diamond stones for years, followed with an old leather belt as a strop, like the old barber shops used on their razors. The secret is DO NOT LET THEM GET DULL. Touch them up every once in a while on the fine diamond stone.

Diamond can be used. CBN works just as well or better.

Thanks again. Looks like I'm investing in some. At least my new Trident A/T has maintained a decent edge so far but has seen only light duty I admit. Sog touts it as a "rescue" type but sure looks more like a tactical/defense job to me. Blade propels with authority. So far so good for 1 year of service.

KS25-06 said:

One of my favorite knife steels is D2. I have used a set of DMT diamond stones for years, followed with an old leather belt as a strop, like the old barber shops used on their razors. The secret is DO NOT LET THEM GET DULL. Touch them up every once in a while on the fine diamond stone.

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I used DMT diamond stones in my fine furniture/cabinetry business for years to sharpen chisels, carving tools and hand planes as well as my knives. Very satisfied with the results.

For my knife sharpening needs,, I use a "Wicked Edge" system. I sold my Lansky stuff after I tried & then bought a Wicked Edge.

I only have one D2 knife, it's a Benchmade minI griptilian. It's seldom used as it's a strictly home knife and barely gets touched but if or when it needs sharpening I'll give a try with my Norton 3 stone but won't put a belly in the stone trying to put a killer edge on it. At that point it gets a stamped ride to Benchmade for them to do it.