Hello
:)
I'm a newby knifemaker from Thailand. I've made a few knives from Daido's DC53 tool steel. Daido claim that it is D2 modified steel. Does anyone have an experient with this steel?

From the data sheet, DC53 has approximately 2 time higher strength than D2 and the hardness is higher too. But I have never seen any custom knife made of this steel. Is it available in the USA?

Look forward for your comments
:)

More information about this steel.
http://www.carrs-tool.co.uk/products/DC53Spec.htm
http://www.bssteel.co.th/english/dc53.htm

I've personally never heard of that steel in the US. From the description you gave, I would be reluctant to use it in a blade. "Strength" can mean a lot of different things, but if it's like D-2, and achieves a greater hardness, that also screams brittleness to me. I susupect it would be a great "slicer", but durability and toughness is where I suspect it would be lacking.

They claim smaller carbides to help prevent chipping and twice the toughness of D2.If that is true it should be ok. I don't know why they won't publish the composition, if it's available you could easily have it tested. Give it a try and let us know !!

Found this site: http://www.imsteel.com/dc53.htm

C - 1.0%
Si - 1.0
Mn - 0.4
Cr - 8.0
Mo - 2.0 (corrected - thanks Mete!)
V - 0.3

Thanks Jack, You had a typo ,it should be Mo 2.0. Since the Cr is 8% it won't be stainless .D2 at 12% Cr is stainless or at least in the knife business semi-stainless...It looks like the properties are closer to A2 though A2 has the advantage of being an air hardening grade.DC 53 has higher hardenability than D2 so that too may be air hardening.

Bottom line is that it isn't radically different from A2 or D2, and should make a good blade (with all the usual caveats for any steel).

Thank so much for all comments and informations. :)

Warut: I checked the specs on DC53-it looks worth trying. I don't think it will be too brittle, and, it is definitely air hardening. I may order some myself.......