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Old 05-08-2006, 09:36   #43
The Reaper
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Harsey
What makes a knife stainless?

Can a tool steel be stainless?
10-12% or more Chromium (Cr) content generally defines a "stainless" steel, though Cr content can run as high as 30%. Not sure how knife steel is defined versus normal metallurgical steel definitions.

IMHO, D2, at 11-13% Cr, is technically a high-carbon, high-chromium cold work tool steel. Depending on the exact amount of Cr, it could be stainless, or it might be very nearly stainless.

A little metallurgical poem, from one of my favorites.

"Gold is for the mistress - silver for the maid
Copper for the craftsman cunning in his trade.
"Good!" said the Baron, sitting in his hall
But iron - cold iron is the master of them all."
-Rudyard Kipling

TR
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