untested D2 Cold Steel Leatherneck

[seacucumber]

I like the design, but there's no destructive test video. I have never found it for sale in a different steel than D2.

 

[Sharp Steel]

There was a version with German Krupps 4116 steel. There are plenty of torture test videos out there. I liked the design too, but it did not last long in production.

 

[rustinxcohle]

I bought the D2 version twice and send both of them back. With only light use, both handles startet to develope a rattle that you could not only hear, but also feel when using the knife. It just felt very unsecure. It's a shame because I really like the overall design of the knife. Side note: both examples I had also suffered heavily from secure-ex dulling.

 

[seacucumber]

plenty of torture test videos

I haven't found any for the D2 version. Cold Steel has one for the 4116 version. Its not as good as the Recon Tanto video.

handles startet to develope a rattle

Thanks. I think I'd make a handle to fix that.

 

[goldie]

Ive used a d2 version in the woods had no problems at all with it; i couldnt imagine anything loosening up on it and i dont see dulling of the blade from the sheath.

 

[coloradowildman]

Yeah, they didn't do a destruction test because they know D2 is too brittle for a large fixed blade knife. D2 is great for folders and small fixed blade hunters but a bad choice for large survival/military blades. There's a reason all US mil-spec pilot and soldier survival knives are in 1095, 440B, 440A, etc, because they are tough and they work. My guess is that the military will start ordering 3V knives at some point, but may still opt for the softer steels because SERE School teaches that you must be able to sharpen a field knife using commonly found items like stones, the tops of glass car windows, etc.

Getting back to the Leatherneck, Cold Steel had it right with 4116, although AUS8 would have been better had it been offered.

There have just been too many QC issues with certain knives ever since Cold Steel mysteriously changed their iconic logo around 2015. Mainly with Taiwanese-produced SK-5 and D2 fixed blades. This is why I'm such a big advocate for grabbing vintage Carbon V/AUS8 SRKs, Recon Tantos, 4116 Leathernecks, or Japanese or US made Recon Scouts and Trailmaster's etc if you want a hard use Cold Steel fixed blade that won't fail on you. Either that or check out Ontarios, Ka Bar Beckers, TOPS, etc. I just don't trust the heat treats on the Taiwanese SK-5 or D2 knives. It just seems too hit or miss which is why some people love them while others break tips, chip the edges etc while doing tasks that the steel should handle.

 

[seacucumber]

Fail. It snapped like a Buck 119 (looked like <15°). Joe X said "denty, looks like the German politician". D2 is chippy.
Glock 78 did well.

JOE X's review:

Is there a knife like the Leatherneck, but with good steel?
Features I'd like:
- narrow, bad at cutting
- survival bushcraft
- tough
- stabs
- Cold Steel tanto shape
- stainless

 

[DocJD]

Fail. It snapped like a Buck 119 (looked like <15°). Joe X said "denty, looks like the German politician". D2 is chippy.
Glock 78 did well.

JOE X's review:

Is there a knife like the Leatherneck, but with good steel?
Features I'd like:
- narrow, bad at cutting
- survival bushcraft
- tough
- stabs
- Cold Steel tanto shape
- stainless

Maybe a 3V Warcraft or AK-47 ? If you can find one .

 

[Ruari]

Fail. It snapped like a Buck 119 (looked like <15°). Joe X said "denty, looks like the German politician". D2 is chippy.
Glock 78 did well.

JOE X's review:

Is there a knife like the Leatherneck, but with good steel?
Features I'd like:
- narrow, bad at cutting
- survival bushcraft
- tough
- stabs
- Cold Steel tanto shape
- stainless

Cold Steel Warcraft Tanto.
Or a San Mai III Recon Tanto.

 

[Drop bear]

Fail. It snapped like a Buck 119 (looked like <15°). Joe X said "denty, looks like the German politician". D2 is chippy.
Glock 78 did well.

JOE X's review:

Is there a knife like the Leatherneck, but with good steel?
Features I'd like:
- narrow, bad at cutting
- survival bushcraft
- tough
- stabs
- Cold Steel tanto shape
- stainless

Gerber strong arm.

 

[Benjamin Liu]

Assuming that "bad at cutting" was a typo:

If you want a tanto with a handle similar to the leatherneck in a good steel, then Kabar makes a tanto version in 1095 Cro-Van which is Carbon V.

Another option would be a DLC Magnum Tanto II in 3V which would be slightly larger than the Recon Tanto. If you shop around you can still find good deals on this knife.

The San Mai Recon Tanto, Master Tanto, and Magnum Tanto would be good choices if you really need stainless.

If you are not planning on prying then the Kobun is also an option.