D2 Premium Knives

D2 steel is a high-strength, semi-stainless alloy used to create affordable mid-range knives. It possesses all the necessary properties to produce high-quality products that can be used for a long time.
D2 steel was developed in America in the 1960s for the production of knives and other cutting tools. Now, this type of steel is produced not only in the USA. Alloys similar in composition to D2 have been developed in Japan, Germany, and Sweden. The only difference between them is the amount of carbon they compose.

Worldwide analogues of D2 steel include:
• X155CrMo12 - made in China;
• 1.2379 –the marking for D2 steel, according to the European steel marking system;
• SLD - made in Japan;
• SKD-11 - the marking for D2 steel in Sweden;
• Russia also has an analogue - X12MФ.

Technical properties of D2 class steel:
• Hardness. It has a high index - up to 64 HRC.
• Toughness. It is strong, but not sufficiently tough, which causes inconvenience in sharpening the products.
• Wear resistance. Due to its hardness, this alloy has a high wear resistance.
• Corrosion resistance. This type of steel is not classified as stainless steel because it lacks chromium, but is rust-resistant. Corrosion resistance is rated as average.
• Cutting-edge performance. During use, the blades of knives made from D2 steel can maintain their sharpness for a long time.

Chemical composition:
• Carbon (C) - 1.55%;
• Manganese (Mn) - 0.35%;
• Chromium (Cr) - 11-13%; • Silicon (Si) - 0.45%;
• Molybdenum (Mo) - 0.9%;
• Vanadium (V) - 0.9%;
• Phosphorus (P) - 0.03%;
• Sulfur (S) - 0.03%.
• Manganese aids the hardening process. The element does not deteriorate the hardness of steel but increases its strength and improves the product structure.

The D2 alloy has the highest corrosion resistance level among high-carbon steels. When chromium is up to 13%, the alloy is called semi-stainless, but rust formation depends on the product's contact with an aggressive environment, processing method, and other factors. Chromium increases the strenght and hardness of the metal and reduces its susceptibility to wear. Silicon provides the alloy with strength and elasticity. Molybdenum facilitates hardening, adds strength, and increases corrosion resistance. It also adds high-temperature resistance to the product. Vanadium improves hardness, provides force, and protects against cracking. Carbon is the main element in the alloy, giving the metal greater strength and sharpness. The amounts of sulfur and phosphorus, which are harmful impurities, are minimized. Such levels do not negatively affect the alloy.

Advantages of D2 steel knives:

• Remain sharp for a long time;


• Resistant to aggressive environments;

• Withstand strong impacts;


• Wear-resistant.