Is D2 Tool Steel Good For Knife Blades?

Many Knife Blade Choices

There are so many choices of steels when it comes to blades. Each, with its own advantages and disadvantages. No steel is absolutely perfect and all blades rust if not maintained. That being said, it can be a little dizzying when you’re shopping for a knife. You encounter all of those shout-outs on websites on the types of steel that this blade or that blade is made of, and this steel is better than that steel because of blah, blah, blah…

What Is D2 Tool Steel?

Lately, I’ve noticed that D2 tool steel has had the most traction with knife sellers. So, I did some research on whether it really is as good as the hype around it in the blade industry. To know what D2 tool steel is, you need to know what its composition is. As every steel has in it, the first ingredient is carbon, which is high at around 1.5%, giving it wear-resistance. It has a high percentage of chromium at 12%, which gives it hardness and corrosion-resistance. It also contains 1.10% of vanadium, giving it the ability to resist salt and water corrosion, and small percentages of manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and molybdenum. Overall, this steel is also extremely heat-resistant. Because of this, D2 tool steel is commonly used for high-wear, high-heat applications like making dies, tools, gauges and shear blades.

What Are The Qualities Of D2 Tool Steel?

Like I said above, every steel has its advantages and disadvantages. When shopping for a knife, one of the first thing to consider is what you will be using the knife for and where. Is it an everyday carry? Is it for camping or hunting? Will you be using the knife in wet or snowy weather? With that in mind, here are the pros and cons of a D2 tool steel blade.

Pros

The advantage of a D2 tool steel blade is primarily that it is supremely hard with a Rockwell Hardness range of 55-62. If you don’t know, the Rockwell Hardness, in simple terms, is the amount of pressure the steel can take before it’s scratched or penetrated by a cone-shaped diamond being pushed against it. The measurement is, more or less, the depth of the penetration. It also has a decent toughness, which is a measure of how much pressure the steel can take before it actually fractures. A D2 tool steel blade, because of its superior hardness, has great edge retention. The high chromium content makes the blade more rust-resistant and heat-resistant.

Cons

The disadvantages of a D2 tool steel blade are, ironically, also the primary advantages. The hardness, although giving it good edge retention, makes the blade, in reality, more difficult to sharpen, when needed. The hardness can also make the blade more rigid and more likely to snap if used as a prying tool.

D2 Tool Steel Knives To Check Out

All and all, I think that the pros of D2 tool steel outweigh the cons when you’re looking for a knife that can stand-up to hard use, especially, in adverse environments. Below, I have included a few of my favorites in both pocket knife and fixed blade knife form. I have a feeling one of them will be just what you’re looking for!

Honshu Sekyuriti Ball Bearing Opening Pocket Knife

Honshu has some of the most incredible blades that I’ve ever seen from swords to knives. A savage blend of style and function, the Honshu Sekyuriti is the everyday carry pocket knife that you’ve been looking for to get the job done wherever you take it. What sets it apart from other pocket knives is the smooth ball bearing opening mechanism that lets you quickly access the D2 tool steel blade. The handle is extremely grippy with tough, textured TPU scales, attached to stainless steel liners, and there is jimping down the entire length of the handle’s spine. The handle also features a lanyard hole and a stainless steel pocket clip for different carry options.

Hibben Kukri Fighter Knife

If you don’t own a Hibben Knife, you don’t know what you’re missing. A legend in the knife world, Gil Hibben has an unequalled talent of designing knives that are built for use in the real world. No one knows better than him how vital it is that you can count on a knife to perform as he is a former Alaskan hunting guide. The Kukri Fighter Knife is effortless to use even while performing difficult tasks like hacking and chopping. The curved, D2 tool steel kukri-style blade is a beast at just under a foot in length. The finger-grooved pakkawood handle is bounded by a chrome-plated steel handguard and pommel. The kukri slides smoothly into its genuine leather, basket-woven belt sheath for carry at your side.

Contender Engineer Tan Pocket Knife

If like me, you appreciate a more streamlined knife that’s not going to add much weight to your gear, the aerodynamic Contender Engineer Tan Pocket Knife is your number one D2 tool steel blade option. What makes it so incredibly lightweight is its skeletonized, stainless steel and G10 handle. Like the pocket knife I mentioned above, it has a smooth ball-bearing opening mechanism to deploy the razor-sharp blade. Up to hard use, The Contender Engineer Tan Pocket Knife is a must-have addition to the tools and gear that you use on a daily basis.

M48 Combat Dagger

What you’re getting with the M48 Combat Dagger and why I’ve included it is a solid piece of D2 tool steel from blade to handle. The non-reflective CNC-machined, one-piece construction features a ridged and perforated handle, making it slip-free in your grip. The double-edged dagger blade has a blood groove, and it perfectly balances the handle. At a compact just under 9” in overall length, this dagger is perfect for discreet carry. It snaps into a tough Kydex sheath that has a steel belt clip and lashing holes.