The difference between metals used in blades

[TonyC]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of having a knife made and have to make a decision as to which metal should be used for the blade.

The knife is going to be a user, it will do some quite hard outdoor work, camp chores, game prepartation etc.

Now the two choices of steel are 01 sprung steel, or D2.

Can anyone tell me the pro's and con's of these two steel types. I really want to know if one is perhaps more prone to the rust bug, which holds a better edge, which is easier to sharpen etc.

I apologise is this question has been asked a hundred times before, I'm afraid that although I have used knives most of my life, I know nothing at all about them. only that some I have used have been superb and others terrible.

Thanks,

Tony

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Basically, O1 will be tougher and less prone to chipping, and overall be a more durable knife especially when differntially tempered. D2 will hold and edge longer when cutting abrasive materials.

Neither will resist corrosion very well, D2 will however resist a patina stronger than O1. Both would want to be kept dry, and rinsed after exposure to blood, salt water, and hte like.

Which one is easier to sharpen is mainly a function of geometry and suitability of the steel. As long as the edge isn't damaged in use, and the edge profile minimized, sharpening will be just a few passes on a hone with either steel.

-Cliff

 

[Roadrunner]

What Cliff said. I assume you're looking at a custom knife, so another concern is which steel the maker in question is more comfortable heat treating. Heat treating will make a world of difference in the final characteristics of the blade, such as the edge holding and toughness of the blade. I don't think one would be significantly harder to sharpen, and the edge geometry should be good from the start unlike most factory knives, so you won't need to do much reprofiling.

 

[Buzzbait]

I agree with RoadRunner. I usually go with the steel that the maker feels more comfortable heat-treating, as long as it’s appropriate for the knife’s intended use. For example, Bob Dozier is willing to work with a couple of different steels, but his D2 is legendary. If I were purchasing a similar knife from Bob, I’d go with the D2, even though 01 might technically be the more appropriate choice. As long as you explain the knife’s intended use to the maker, he can tailor the heat treatment and grind to your needs.

 

[Citori]

The knife I use for skinning most things is D2 at a hardness of 61-62. It gets cleaned up before it goes into storage, but I've left blood on the blade for an hour or so when going through several animals and it has yet to show any discoloration.

One of the reasons I continue to use this knife is that it retains its edge very well. I find it annoying to have to stop halfway through a job, clean up, and work on the edge of a knife. I've gotten through two whitetails at a time with this knife and not had to do that.

The knife hasn't done any prying or chopping so I can't really provide any info there. I have a knife in O1 by the same maker, but his D2 hasn't given me reason to take it out of the safe.