Nitro-V vs D2 Steel

Nitro-V is a stainless steel developed in 2017 through a collaboration between New Jersey Steel Baron and Buderus Steel. It is designed as a modified version of AEB-L steel with added nitrogen and vanadium.

In comparison, D2 steel is a long-standing cold work tool steel that has been popular in knives since the 1960s.

The key difference between these two steels is that Nitro-V provides better corrosion resistance than D2 due to its higher chromium content and nitrogen addition. 

Nitro V also achieves higher toughness values, allowing thinner and tougher knife grinds. However, D2 offers greater wear resistance and typically edges out Nitro V in terms of edge retention.

Nitro-V vs D2 Steel At A Glance 

Corrosion Resistance

Nitro V steel has better corrosion resistance compared to D2 steel for knives.

Nitro V is a stainless steel with 13% chromium content and 0.11% nitrogen addition that improves its pitting and corrosion resistance. 

D2 steel has a higher 12% chromium content, but about half of that is tied up in carbides, lowering its effective corrosion resistance.

Testing shows that D2 has corrosion resistance comparable to other high-carbon nonstainless tool steels like Maxamet steel. 

While D2 has adequate corrosion resistance for tool steel, Nitro V is expected to resist corrosion better in humid and saltwater environments.

The improved corrosion resistance of Nitro V means it requires less care to prevent rusting and staining.

D2 can still perform well with proper maintenance but is more prone to corrosion. 

For knives meant to withstand wet conditions or that won’t receive regular care, Nitro V knife steel better corrosion resistance gives it an advantage over D2 knife steel. 

Hardness

Both Nitro V steel and D2 steel can reach similar higher attainable Rockwell hardness of 64HRC with proper heat treatment.

However, D2 steel has moderately higher wear resistance than Nitro V due to its higher chromium and vanadium carbide content. 

This hardness is sufficient enough for producing knives with excellent wear resistance and edge retention.

Toughness

Nitro V has significantly higher toughness than D2 Steel. Testing shows Nitro V achieves toughness values around 25 ft-lbs, while D2 steel typically measures between 15-17 ft-lbs.

The much greater toughness of Nitro V steel gives it an advantage for knives that need to withstand impact without chipping or breaking.

The high toughness also allows Nitro V knives to be ground thinner at the edge and still resist edge failure from stress.

In contrast, the lower toughness of D2 steel means edges must be more conservatively thick to avoid chipping under hard use.

However, with careful heat treatment and edge geometry, D2 can still perform well in many knife applications.

But for knife designs optimized for hard use, Nitro V steel’s superior toughness helps it resist damage better than D2.

Edge Retention

D2 steel has moderately better edge retention and wear resistance than Nitro V steel.

Although Nitro V can be hardened to higher HRC values, D2 steel has higher chromium and vanadium carbide content which improves its wear resistance.

Edge retention testing shows D2 generally outperforms steels like 440C and ATS-34, while Nitro V is expected to have similar edge retention to AEB-L steel.

This means D2 resists abrasive wear and retains its edge better than Nitro V in extended cutting tests.

The higher wear resistance and edge-holding abilities of D2 steel give it an advantage for knives designed for demanding tasks and extended edge life.

However, Nitro V maintains adequate edge retention for most cutting applications while achieving higher toughness than D2.

So while D2 has superior wear resistance and edge holding, Nitro V offers a better balance of edge retention and toughness. 

Ease of Sharpening

Nitro V steel has a small advantage over conventionally produced D2 in ease of sharpening and grinding blades due to its fine carbide size and higher toughness.

Nitro V steel has a finer carbide structure than conventionally produced D2 steel.

The smaller carbides in Nitro V make it easier to form a keen edge when sharpening and allow for finer edge finishes to be attained.

D2 steel larger carbides take more effort to remove when sharpening and can limit how fine of an edge it can obtain.

However, powder metallurgy-produced D2 steel known as CPM-D2 has a refined carbide structure more similar to Nitro V that improves grindability. 

During sharpening and grinding Nitro V high toughness makes it less prone to cracking or chipping during the process.

D2 steel lower toughness means grinding and sharpening must be done more carefully to avoid damage to the blade.

Final Thoughts on Nitro-V vs D2 Steel

Having extensive experience with both Nitro V and D2 knife steels, I would recommend Nitro V steel to most knife users due to its good toughness, ease of sharpening, and excellent corrosion resistance.

The majority of knife owners will appreciate Nitro-V combination of decent edge retention and high resistance to chipping.

The fine carbide structure also makes Nitro V knives a pleasure to sharpen.

Additionally, the stainless properties ensure low maintenance and prevent unsightly patina or rust.

However, I am quite attached to one of my D2 steel knives due to its excellent edge retention.

With proper heat treatment, D2 steel will outdo Nitro V, especially in demanding cutting tasks.

My D2 knife has a coated blade that eliminates any concerns about corrosion resistance as well.

While Nitro V is easier to live with steel, the extreme edge-holding abilities of D2 make it worthwhile for users who value long periods between sharpening over other factors. 

In the right application, D2 steel can be an excellent choice despite requiring more care and sharpening effort.

For most knife enthusiasts, Nitro V hits the sweet spot of well-rounded performance.