D2 tooling steel -Chapter 6

D2 die steel
CHAPTER 6 DOES D2 STEEL BENEFIT FROM CRYO TREATMENT?

Cryo treatment is subjecting semi-finished blades to temperatures as low as -300°F for a specified time. Bob Dozier doesn’t use cryo treatment for his knives, while other makers swear by it. I have seen evidence that some steels subjected to specific heat treatment procedures benefit markedly from cryo treatment. But the benefits are not uniform for all steels, and cryo treatment temperatures and soak times do vary. As with all other aspects of knifemaking, cryo treatment results vary with different application methodologies.

IS D2 DIFFICULT TO SHARPEN?

There is no definitive yes or no for this question. I don’t find Charles Allen’s Diamond Blade knives, which Rockwell test at 66-68, any more difficult to sharpen than his Knives of Alaska blades that Rockwell at 58-60. I have found D2 knives that were much more resistant to abrasion from even diamond hones. But I have found D2-bladed knives from the same manufacturer that produced the most difficult to sharpen examples. Individual results vary even within the same brand.

SO, THEN, WHAT KIND OF KNIFE CAN D2 STEEL REALLY MAKE?

There is something for everyone, and I am going to let each knife enthusiast discover what suits him or her best. For me, that’s the fun part. I will tell you that, for my knife applications, I usually carry more than one knife, and as often as not, one of those knives has a D2 blade, while the second doesn’t.

Which D2-bladed knife I carry depends on the circumstances. If there is one knife that does all things equally well for all applications, I haven’t found it — but I will keep looking. If nothing else, it provides my loved ones with the certain knowledge of one thing — I will always appreciate getting more knives on special occasions.

 

What kind of knife can you get with D2 steel? Just about any type ranging from Dawayne Batten’s handmade spring-back gentleman’s folders (top and bottom) to Microtech’s hard-use tactical fixed-blade Currahee model (center). Enjoy making your choice.

I conclude by paraphrasing the late Butch Winter. There are no bad D2 knives, although some may suit certain applications better than others. You decide for yourself which D2 knife suits your needs best. I should warn you that I have been unable to stop with just one.

Ms Florence Lin

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