D2 vs VG-10
A side-by-side of two knife steels on the specs that decide a purchase. D2 is a tool & high-speed steel; VG-10 is a stainless steel.
| Property | D2 | VG-10 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (HRC) | 58-62 | 59-61 | — |
| Edge retention | high | high | about the same |
| Corrosion resistance | medium | high | VG-10 leads |
| Toughness | medium | medium | about the same |
| Ease of sharpening | hard | moderate | — |
| Price tier | Mid | Mid | — |
D2 suits edc / folders, hard-use / survival; VG-10 suits edc / folders, kitchen. Neither is universally "better" — match the steel to the job, and remember heat treat matters as much as the alloy.
Chemical composition, side by side
| Element (%) | D2 | VG-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ~1.5 | 1 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ~12 | 15 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | ~0.95 | 1 |
| Vanadium (V) | — | 0.25 |
| Cobalt (Co) | — | 1.55 |
Nominal weight %; "~" = midpoint of the standard's range, "—" = not listed by the source. Sources: MakeItFrom (standard ranges) (D2), Takefu Special Steel (e-tokko) (VG-10).
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Full profiles: D2 · VG-10 · best steel by purpose