Recommendation? Kershaw Dividend M390 or Composite

[Ebenvoila]

Hello everybody,

I do have some folding knives, but I wasn't able to find the perfect knife for the moment.
I don't know if it exists, but I'm still looking for, and I spend a lot of time on Youtube and on forums for this. Like everybody I think

I'd like to buy a Kershaw Dividend, but to take a decision, I'd like to know which from the M390 and the Composite has the better blade?

M390:

Composite:

Which one would you choose?

 

[lieferung]

I would go with M390. It is a great all around stainless steel, very popular. D2 and N690 (comparable to VG-10) would be crossing a staining blade edge with a stainless spine, and I'm not sure that having them both on one knife makes a world of difference.

 

[gazz98]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

I agree with lieferung . I'd go M390. The composite blade might look cooler but I'll take M390 over the D2 + N690 combo.

 

[metsfan]

I went with the composite version. I have a few KAI USA knives in m390 already and cpm-d2 was a steel I didn’t have yet. As far as which has a better blade steel, the m390 is the higher performing steel of the two.

The composite does look cooler though

 

[fishface5]

Unless it's a daily work knife I would get the composite for its looks

 

[metsfan]

Unless it's a daily work knife I would get the composite for its looks

Cpm-d2 would perform well as a work knife. @Rival1314 has posted pics of his 0454 with cpm-d2 and it looks like it’s performed well for him

 

[grownstar]

If I had to choose, I would go with the new CB version. CPM-D2 is no slouch when it comes to performance, and the updates to this new version just make it look killer!

I also have a standard 420HC model and an S35VN model, but that Warhawk theme is just cool as hell.

Bottom line, I'm glad I don't have to choose!

 

[evilgreg]

I'd go with the composite, it's neat looking. And composite blades with D2 edges work just fine, I use this one regularly and it's been great:

I don't care if it's a silly novelty, I like it. I still wish I hadn't sold off my 0560cbcf--it was kind of heavy for my taste, but it was cool and I should have hung onto it.

 

[Velitrius]

Their composite is no slouch, it'll perform just fine for you I'd bet.

Looks being subjective and all, I say the composite with that green handle just looks amazing. That'd be the way I'd go on this one.

 

[marrenmiller]

Without knowing how well Kershaw heat treats their M390, I wouldn't immediately say their M390 does better than their CPM-D2. Though, in all likelihood, their D2 probably gets the same level of attention their M390 does.

Just go with whatever you like the look of best.

 

[Ebenvoila]

Many thanks for all your contributions.
I'm really happy to read all your comments, and for your welcome.

If I had to choose, I would go with the new CB version. CPM-D2 is no slouch when it comes to performance, and the updates to this new version just make it look killer!

I also have a standard 420HC model and an S35VN model, but that Warhawk theme is just cool as hell.

Bottom line, I'm glad I don't have to choose!

Does the composite not feel thinner in the hand?

 

[grownstar]

Does the composite not feel thinner in the hand?

It feels the same in hand as the other models, as far as I can tell.

 

[Ebenvoila]

I'm in France and the composite is available at around 100 €.
For the M390 there is only one available on ebay at 93 €.

The FRN/420HC is at 49 € and the aluminium/420HC at 53 €.

Other versions like S35VN are completely unavailable.

 

[grownstar]

I'm in France and the composite is available at around 100 €.
For the M390 there is only one available on ebay at 93 €.

The FRN/420HC is at 49 € and the aluminium/420HC at 53 €.

Other versions like S35VN are completely unavailable.

I wouldn't trust fleabay very much. Just looking out for ya, man.

 

[Ebenvoila]

I don't find the M390 in stores, that's why I mentioned ebay for it.

The other prices are in regular internet stores.

 

[Ebenvoila]

Composite just ordered for 98.90€ (in stock)

 

[gazz98]

Congrats. Either way you couldn't make a bad choice.

Like grownstar said, the bay doesn't have a great reputation around here. Too many counterfeits.

 

[Ebenvoila]

Thank you.
I hope this knife will be my edc for a long time.

The ebay seller is in France, and seems to be serious.
However its solved

 

[Ebenvoila]

Could some of you compare CPM-D2 and M390?

 

[tyyreaun]

Could some of you compare CPM-D2 and M390?

Check the Cedric and Ada channel on YouTube.

Few specific call-outs, though:

• Pete has found that the CPM version of D2 doesn't perform drastically better than regular D2, or PSF27 (the spray-formed version of D2). It sounds like the chemistry of the steel just doesn't get much of an advantage from being formed in a PM process
• The best M390 performs about 50% better than CPM-D2, in terms of cut tests. M390 will of course also be much more stain resistant
• Kershaw is not going to have the best M390 or the best CPM-D2, as far as their heat treat process goes, so the max numbers Pete posted don't apply in this case

For the Dividend, I'd expect M390 to perform better, but not drastically better. As long as you don't let it rust, the D2 version should be fine.