May 2025

Is D2 tool steel good for blades? Yes, D2 tool steel makes a great blade, if you need extreme wear resistance above all else. Think high-volume industrial cutting, shearing, and trimming. But if your blade takes a beating or needs to resist chipping, D2 might not be your best bet due to its lower toughness. […]

What are the D2 tool steel disadvantages? While D2 tool steel is highly regarded for its excellent wear resistance in cold-work applications, it presents challenges including difficult machining and grinding, moderate toughness, potential dimensional instability due to retained austenite after heat treatment, susceptibility to quench cracking, and significant difficulty in welding. Understanding these limitations is

The Short Answer: Yes, O1 tool steel is a very capable material for many types of knives. It excels in providing high hardness, excellent edge retention, and good toughness, making it a reliable workhorse. It’s also relatively easy to work with and cost-effective. The main consideration is its lower corrosion resistance compared to stainless steels;