D2 Tool Steel: Used as a die cutting steel since WW II, D2 offers a good combination of hardness and wear resistance with moderate toughness and stain resistance. High chromium content for a tool steel (10-13%) gives D2 better corrosion resistance than most high carbon steels. #html-body [data-pb-style=STGVUTL]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll}Mike Irie: Mike Irie is more than just a knife maker from Colorado Springs, Colorado—he's also a collaborator and all-around nice guy. Since 1991, he's been crafting custom knives and contributing to the work of others through his expert blade grinding. That's right, this down-to-earth guy doesn't just create his own blades—he also grinds for other knife hotshots, including Pro-Tech Knives and a few others who would prefer to keep this well-kept secret under wraps. When he's not perfecting his own designs, he's contributing to the Knifemakers Guild and the Professional Knifemakers Association, ensuring the craft remains both high-quality and full of heart.