alex4646Generally D2 holds a sharper edge much longer(3 of the favorites in my collection are all D2, and you can use them forever without touching them up unless you do something really abusive to them), though AUS 8 can be sharpened to a killer edge (it's a good blade steel to demonstrate your sharpening technique, easy to put a crazy edge on), it won't hold it as long. AUS 8 should be more corrosion resistant, but I've never had corrosion problems with either one.
I have not had this knife in both of these steels or other ESEE/Ontario knives so I can't compare how well they actually do with these 2 steels. I do have related knives: RAT 1 and 2, Zancudo all in AUS 8 and Utilitek in AUS 8a, the 8a is MUCH better than the AUS 8, both take a really killer edge that is fairly durable, better than the typical Kersaw's Chineese razorblade steel (which is OK) in the same price range, but nothing like most premium steels.