3V corrosion resistance vs. D2 question...

R

RABCarver

Joined
Dec 22, 2011
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55
I'm pretty new to this, so... please have patience with me. :confused:

How is 3V's corrosion resistance? I've heard claims that D2 is almost stainless. Given 3V's lower carbon content (0.8%), would that make it more resistant to corrosion than D2 (1.55%)? Or, would the lower chromium level (7.5%) of 3V, compared to D2's 11.5%, make it less resistant?

Or... is it much more complicated than that?

Any insight would be much appreciated.
 
Technically its Chromium content, 13% or higher = Stainless, D2 is usually between 11-13% that's why its an almost stainless/semi-stainless while 3V is not stainless or semi-stainless like 3V, its fairly rust resistant in its class (compared to like 1095, A2, 52100, etc) but not compared to stainless steels, both are technically tool steels. I haven't had either rust in the knives I have, including a non-coated 3V woods fixed blade. My only D2 blade is coated and a folder so it doesn't see much water if any.
 
Believe it or not the issue can be further complicated by the heat treat each steel received, and the finish applied to the knives. Of course, there could be coatings to think about. Yes, it is possible to see a particular blade in 3V have greater corrosion resistance than an individual D2 blade.

Usually though the D2, or powder steel version CPM D2 will have greater resistance to corrosion than CPM 3V.

:)

Joe
 
Thanks a lot, guys. I really like what I've been reading about 3V's wear/impact resistance versus D2's, and corrosion was the only thing I wasn't too sure about.

After using/collecting/drooling over knives for so many years, BF has shown me that I don't know as much about knives and steel as I thought I did.
Gotta keep learning.
 
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