What tools are made from tool steel?

[markv]

Most all drill bits are HSS (very hard M2 or a variant with more colbalt). I've used endmills made of HSS before, but you have to keep coolant on them to prevent them from going orange! Carbide (far more expensive than any steel) is used in most of the endmills that I cut with. D2, A2, etc. are called tool steels because that is what dies (from tool and die) are made from. Huge billets many tons in weight are cut to make a single tool (kinda makes knives seem insignificant). I've heard of other shops getting broken into and the theives making off with huge billets of tool steel, some worth around $100,000!
Most chinese hand tools are made of "vanadium stainless steel" which is kind of similar to cheap chinese knife steel. I have not heard of many hand tools being made of M2, D2, or A2, as these steels are too brittle (and expensive).

i think you've got it.%$#@@!
go to .wwwflatground.com they have some good info.

 

[longbeachguy]

Cliff mentioned A2 being used for planer irons. Lie Nielson planes, which are top of the line use A2 irons. My better bench chisels are also made with A2.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

My better bench chisels are also made with A2.

Have you had any experience with chipping issues? Both Beach and Elliott have noted this with their work with A2 and they both make comments that it is common behavior and they are not seening an exception.

-Cliff