"Tool steels"

[L2bravo]

As I have gotten deeper in this addiction. I have tried to learn a lot, concering many things including steels. One of the steel "families" if you will, that interests me, is the tool steels.

I have an Adamas, that is pretty dang nice. It takes a really polished edge, and stays that way for a good while. This now makes me want to know more. I am aware of D2, M4, and 3V. Can anybody tell me a little about these, or their differences? Thanks guys, for the help.

 

[Bo T]

As long as the heat treatment and knife design is excellent, they will all make excellent blades. In determining which steel to use it is important to note the end use as one steel might be marginally better for certain tasks. For example, I have a D2 blade that was very hard to sharpen but it holds its edge extremely well. It was cryogenically treated and subsequently has a lot of carbides that give it a more wear resistant but also rougher edge. It would be great for someone who needed to do a lot of cutting without having to resharpen very often. But it would make a poor razor blade that requires a very fine edge. Also, consider the other tool steels.

 

[Ben Dover]

There is a "sticky" thread at the top of this subforum by Joe Talmadge that has a real wealth of steel information. It's well worth reading, and re-reading.

"Steel FAQ"