440c Steel vs d2 | Which steel should you pick?

You’ve been tired of researching budget-friendly steel blades for your knife! Still, you can’t find it, right? I think you may already have listed 440c and d2! If you want to pick one of them, you need to know the key differences between 440c and d2.

The main key differences between 440c and D2ares are hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance & edge retention. 440c has great corrosion resistance and is easy to sharpen & maintain. Whereas D2 steel has high hardness, toughness, and great sharpness! But it’s hard to be sharp!

440c and D2 have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s choose a perfect overview and detailed comparison of 440c and d2 steel with this entire article.

Quick comparison chart table

Key differences

A detailed comparison can give you the right decision for your next steel blade. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison between 440c vs D2

1. Hardness

Talking about the hardness, D2 will be slightly harder than 440c. D2 contains a high percentage of carbon, about 1.5%. Whereas 440c has 1-1.2% carbon.

So, D2 shows better hardness after treatment because of its higher carbon content. Also, the hardness increase due to the presence of vanadium, molybdenum and chromium in D2.

According to Rockwell Reports, D2 reaches 52-62 HRC after heat treatment and, 440c shows a hardness of 56-59 HRC.

2. Toughness

As for hardness, D2 beats the toughness of 440c.

Although D2 is semi-stainless steel, it is much tougher than most stainless steel. So, you’ll feel less chipping or breaking with D2 steel.

440c has less toughness for the cost of high corrosion resistance.

3. Corrosion resistance

With a high percentage of chromium, obviously, 440c has superior corrosion resistance than d2.

440c is a stainless steel as it has 16-18% chromium, whereas d2 has only 12% chromium.

So, obviously, d2 can’t even compete with the corrosion resistance of 440c. So, D2 is having rust very early and needs more maintenance.

4. Edge retention

When it comes to greater edge retention,  D2 is a choice over 440c.

Although D2 requires a lot of effort and time to sharpen,  it holds the better edge. So you don’t have to worry about frequent sharpening.

440c is easy to sharpen, but it doesn’t hold the edge longer like D2.

5. Easy sharpening

D2 is much tougher to sharpen than 44c stainless steel. D2 is harder semi-stainless steel that contains high chromium and carbon. So, it’s really hard steel.

Again, it is also an air-hardening tool. That means you can’t differentially temper this steel like other high-carbon steel. So it’s more challenging to sharpen.

In contrast, 440c steel has a blocky carbide structure & long grain. It’s very easy to sharpen, but don’t expect razor blade sharpness.

6. Price

440c is more expensive as it is stainless steel, whereas D2 price is more affordable.

Anyhow, d2 performs like other high-quality steel. So,  the price of it’s satisfying for knife users.

About 440c

440c is considered high-carbon martensitic steel. In a 440 series steel blade, 440c has higher carbon content which increases its strength, hardness, stain resistance, and wear resistance as well.

1. Corrosion resistance

440chas moderate corrosion resistance. But, it has lower corrosion resistance than other 400-series ferritic steel. It can show optimum corrosion resistance in hardened conditions when tempered below 400°c.

Hardening from 1090°C will give a better corrosion resistance because that temperature ensures a better carbide solution. 

2. Heat treatment

1. Annealing– 440c fully annealed at 850-900°C,  followed by slow furnace cooling at 600°C. It should not be used in an annealed condition.

• Hardening-440c steel is heated at 1010-1065°C, then quenched in oil or air.

• Tempering -In order to increase its hardness & wear resistance, this steel is tempered at 150-370°C.

• Forging– This steel handle is like a high-speed tool. It should be preheated at 1400°/1500°c then heated slowly at 1900°/2000°C. 440c should not forge below 1700°C.

2. Machinability

440c steel cuts best for any machine operation when it is in the soft annealed condition. This consists of high carbon content. Therefore, it performs like high-speed steel.

3. Application

440c is used in many industries for its versatile option. Like-

• Bearing
• Valve parts
• Bushing
• Structured aircraft part.

About d2

D2 is an air hardening & high carbon alloy steel. It is considered semi-stainless steel as the chromium percentage is 12% only! Instead of semi-stainless steel, it has higher wear resistance and abrasion resistance properties than other stainless steel.

D2 steel is great for its toughness, hardness, & edge retention. Let’s see how it performs with the properties-

1. Heat treatment Forging-

At first, it was heated slowly at a low temperature of 700 °C. Then, the forge continues rapidly at 900°/1400°C. But it shouldn’t be below 925°. After forging, D2 needs to be cold & annealed as below-

1. Annealing-

The steel annealing at temperature 843/871°C. D2 shows high hardness after annealing.

• Hardening–

D2 is very sensitive to overheating. It preheated slowly at 750/780°C, which continued at the final hardening temperature of 1000/1030°C. Then, Quench in oil or air. D2 shows little distortion in perfect hardening.

• Tempering –

D2 shows a high hardness of 61/62 HRC for tempering at 150°C. Again, it shows low hardness at high tempering of 450°C.

2. Machinability

D2 shows great machinability in annealed conditions.

3. Application

• Shear blades, knife.
• Tyre shredder
• Punches
• Forming Rolls.
• Scrap choppers.

My opinion ( Which I Recommend between d2 and 440c )

It fully depends on your needs and budget to choose a steel blade! Because each blade has its particular features for different tasks! If you still can’t figure it out, let’s give you some clear hints!

If you want to buy stainless steel, which has great corrosion resistance, moderate hardness & toughness, you can go with 440c.

But, with steel with high hardness, toughness,  moderate corrosion and wear resistance at an affordable budget, D2 is the best choice for you. Although it is hardened to sharp, the edge holds longer, which makes your task more perfect. I think D2 is the best choice overall!

So, what’s your next steel blade knife? Don’t forget to share it with us!

Read More:

• AEB-L Vs D2 Steel: Which Steel Is Better?
• d2 steel vs Damascus: Let’s Broke the Biggest Myth
• D2 vs 1095 Steel | Which is Better and why?

My favorite knives in each category

Do you forget to pick up a suitable knife for the steel blade?! Still can’t find the right knife? No worries!

Let’s make your task easy. I have listed two of my favorite knives.  Hopefully, you’ll pick one of them of its better features!

1.     RG-2300 Handmade 16.4 Inches Bowie Knife | (440c Stainless Steel)

If you’re searching for a perfect hunting knife, then RG-2300 handmade will be perfect for you. This knife is lightweight to carry.

Cutting a large piece of meat with this knife is pretty easy. This knife steel has great toughness to handle every task. It’s very affordable as well.

2.     Perkin Knives – Handmade Hunting Knife| (D2 steel)

Let’s introduce another hunting and campaign knife, which is a top choice for knife users!  Perkin Knives D2 steel knife tool is an absolutely brilliant knife for its design, ergonomics, and leather sheet. The polished surface gives a mirror-like appearance.

The wooden handle is my favorite to carry the knife. The sharp edge of this knife makes your task much easier & perfect. You can’t expect this superb quality knife at an affordable budget. But this is really inexpensive!