1095 Vs D2 | Which One is Better and Why?
Good steel has a chemical composition that is well-balanced, medium-hard, and extremely tough. When it comes to combining those three primary characteristics, the names 1095 and D2 steels come first. If you are a newbie and don’t know what to choose between 1095 vs. D2, then this article is for you.
In short comparison, 1095 is an old high-carbon steel that has 0.95% carbon. And D2 steel is non-powder steel, which is not stainless steel. D2 steel is known for its fantastic edge retention, wear, and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, 1095 steel is known for its high-carbon material and hardness.
To get an in-depth comparison of 1095 and D2 steel, read the entire article.
Which one is the best steel 1095 or D2 Steel?
D2 steel is a non-powder steel made for custom knife makers and mid-tech companies. 1095 has been around since the beginning, so it’s an old company. D2 steel has good edge retention, and it is high-chromium steel. On the other hand, 1095 is a high-carbon steel made with 0.95% carbon material.
1095 is best for its toughness, which is why big knife industries always choose 1095 for their knives. It is best for professional chefs and people who cook a lot. Plus, it can be good cutlery or kitchen wear.
D2 and 1095 steel have almost the same hardness. That’s why D2 is also good for kitchen wear. You can also use D2 knives for gardening, cutting hard things, and hiking. By increasing the hardness of D2 steel, it gains more strength to cut more solid things like bones.
A Quick Comparison Chart
| Comparison Basics | 1095 | D2 |
| Chemical Compounds | 0.95% Carbon 0.5% Manganese 0.3% Phosphorus 0.5% Sulfur | 1.5% Carbon 12% Chromium 0.9% Molybdenum 1.10% Vanadium 0.45% Manganese 0.40% Silicon 0.03% Phosphorus 0.02% Sulfur |
| Hardness | 55 HRC | 55-65 HRC |
| Toughness | High | Medium |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Decent |
| Corrosion Resistance | Low | High |
| Edge Retention | Good | Best |
| Ease of Sharpening | Easy | Hard |
| Maintenance Required | Not required | Not required |
Key Differences
The ultimate key difference between 1095 and D2 steel is their chemical composition. 1095 is a high-carbon steel that improves hardness and corrosion resistance. On the other hand, D2 steel has a high amount of chromium, which makes it almost stainless steel and better at hardness. As we compare 1095 steel Vs. D2, let’s look at some additional significant differences.
Built quality
1095 is an old-company steel, which is why it has fewer chemical compounds than modern steel. D2 steel contains various kinds of chemicals that make it harder and stronger than 1095 steel. D2 steel has 12% chromium which makes it almost stainless steel. On the other hand, 1095 steel is made with only carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur.
Hardness
The HRC score of 1095 is 55, and D2 is 55-65. That means both of them have almost the same type of hardness, but D2’s HRC score can change under temperature. D2 steel can be harder than 1095 if the manufacturer changes the temperature.
Toughness
D2 steel is harder than 1095 steel which makes it brittle and easily breakable. 1095 steel has decent toughness for its fewer chemical compounds. The more chemical compounds are added to steel, the harder it becomes. As a result, D2 steel is less tough than 1095 steel.
Wear and Corrosion Resistance
People know 1095 steel for its excellent wear and corrosion resistance. Because 1095 contains fewer chemical compounds, it’s not as hard as D2, making 1095 a good fit for wear and corrosion resistance. However, D2 steel also provides decent wear and corrosion resistance.
Edge Retention
D2 steel is excellent for its edge retention because it has a higher HRC score. D2 steel is sharp and easy to cut with any hard tools. On the other hand, 1095 is good at its long-lasting edge retention but not as good as D2 steel.
Ease of sharpening
Because D2 steel is very hard, it’s not easy to sharpen at all. D2 steel contains more chemical compounds, which makes it brittle; as a result, sharpening D2 steel can break it. 1095 steel is easy to sharpen and does not require any maintenance.
Conclusion
Now it’s up to you to decide which of these 1095 Vs. D2 steels appeal to you the most. In my opinion, D2 is modern steel, which comes with various chemical compounds. If you use a knife for purposes other than cooking, choose the D2 knife. But for professional chefs, I would recommend a 1095 knife for its toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
Pros and cons
| D2 Pros | D2 Cons |
| Better edge retention | Less tough |
| more hard | Tough to sharpen |
| Premium steel | High Cost |
| 1095 Pros | 1095 Cons |
| Easy to sharpen | Less harder |
| Tougher | Edge retention is less than D2. |
Like to Read Moe comparison:
My Favourite Knives in Each Category
Here are my favorite knives in each category
1095 steel
The Ontario Rat 7 knife is a black powder-coated-blade knife. It is best for professional chefs and kitchen wear. It has a nylon sheath with a belt loop, which is convenient. The ergonomic handle of the knife makes it ideal for beginning and advanced chefs.
D2 steel
People who love adventure, gardening, and hiking will like this CIVIVI Mini Praxis folding pocket knife. This amazing knife with G-10 material is pocket friendly. You will feel comfortable holding the handles of the CIVIVI pocket knife. With the best edge retention, CIVIVI is one of my favorite knives.
