I'm considering ordering a fixed-blade knife. The same knife comes in two versions, one is made with "1095" steel for $60 and the other with "D2 tool" steel is $77.

I assume the "tool steel" is better, but is it a significant difference?

Steel types, A.G. Russell Knives website:

http://www.agrussell.com/knife_information/steel_guide/index.html

D2 is more rust resistant than 1095 because of it's higher chrome content, but it is not near rust resistant as the other stainless steels. D2 is also much more tougher/wear resistant and will probably hold an decent edge longer then 1095, but 1095 will take a finer initial edge and is slightly easier to resharpen.

Ultimate strength is in D2's favor, but if you can destroy a knife made from 1095 you're probably misusing it. You will also need to be a bit more careful on long-term and storage care with 1095 because it will rust if you look at it wrong.

It's all about the heat treat regardless of what steel. One thing in 1095's favor is that it is very easy to properly heat treat by even garage mechanics (basically, it's hard to screw it up).

XerO is right.

I also think that obsessing over which steel is generally misplaced. Steel choices are trade offs between desireable characteristics: rust resistance/edge holding/toughness/ease of sharpening/hardness. Also true is that factors other than steel type can have a greater effect on ultimate utility. As XerO noted, a bad heat treat will turn the sexiest super steel into junk. Well heat treated "regular" steels will perform very well. Most users aren't sophisticated or experienced enough to detect the differences, either.

Either of those knives will perform the usual tasks very competently, if well made.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jhe888,

given the two choices, i would go with D2. i use 0-1 for all my knives. i consider 0-1 to fall in between 1095 and D2. i have not used 1095 in a while because the quality varies widely depending on where it is from. safer for me to just use 0-1. to find out more about D2, look into Dozier knives, he is a master with D2.


dozer