D-2 Carbon Steel

D2 carbon steel is considered to be the best carbon steel for knifemaking. It has air hardening, high-carbon, and high-chromium properties, resulting in high wear and abrasion resistance. D2 is heat treatable and machinable in the annealed condition. It is comparable in hardness to 55-62 HRC and not as tough as 1095 grade steel, which means it is more prone to chipping. When looking for the best steel for a knife, D2 carbon steel is a great option as it is cheaper than S30V and possesses a similar high-quality. This type of blade steel comes in flat stock  (mill finish),Blanchard Ground, and Precision Ground varieties. Each D2 finish is available in assorted sizes, depending on your project needs.