D2 vs VG-10
D2 holds an edge longer; VG-10 is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen. Choose D2 for edge retention, VG-10 for corrosion resistance.
Who wins each property
Side by side
| D2 | VG-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tool steels | Stainless steels |
| Hardness | 58–61 HRC | 59–61 HRC |
| Edge retention | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Toughness | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Corrosion resistance | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of sharpening | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Price tier | Budget | Mid-range |
| Maker | Generic (AISI) | Takefu Special Steel |
Composition
| Element | D2 | VG-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.5 | 1 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 12 | 15 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.9 | 0.2 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1 | 1 |
| Cobalt (Co) | — | 1.5 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03 | 0.02 |
Property by property
Edge retention
D2 holds an edge longer: 6/10 against 5/10 for VG-10, a 1-point gap. Vanadium: 0.9% vs 0.2%; more vanadium carbide generally means more wear resistance.
Toughness
VG-10 is tougher: 4/10 against 3/10 for D2, a 1-point gap.
Corrosion resistance
VG-10 resists corrosion better: 7/10 against 4/10 for D2, a 3-point gap. Chromium: 12% vs 15%, though what matters is the chromium left in solution, not the total.
Ease of sharpening
VG-10 is easier to sharpen: 6/10 against 4/10 for D2, a 2-point gap.
Knives in each steel
D2
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civivi Elementum C907A | Civivi | 2.96" | 2.89 oz | Liner lock | $59 | Blade HQ |
| QSP Penguin QS130 | QSP | 3.06" | 3.14 oz | Liner lock | — | Blade HQ |
VG-10
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight | Spyderco | 2.9" | 2.4 oz | Back lock | $132 | Blade HQ |
| Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight | Spyderco | 3.8" | 3.3 oz | Back lock | $143 | Blade HQ |
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FAQ
Which is better, D2 or VG-10?
D2 holds an edge longer; VG-10 is tougher, resists corrosion better and is easier to sharpen. Choose D2 for edge retention, VG-10 for corrosion resistance.
Which is harder, D2 or VG-10?
D2 is typically run at 58–61 HRC and VG-10 at 59–61 HRC.
Is D2 or VG-10 more rust resistant?
VG-10 (7/10). D2 is a tool steel; VG-10 is a conventional stainless steel.