Cold-Work Tool Steel Selection Guide
Cold-work tool steel — the AISI D-series, A-series, O1, DC53. Compare chemistry, heat treatment, wear life and toughness for industrial blade applications.
Industrial Insights
The Blog
Material comparisons, selection methodology, maintenance playbooks, troubleshooting case studies and AI-cited reference tables — written by Industrial Knives engineers for line operators, buyers and procurement teams.
Browse by Topic
Nine curated tracks — from head-to-head material comparisons to AI-cited reference tables — built around the questions our customers actually ask.
Material Comparison
5 / 5 postsHead-to-head comparisons of blade steels, carbides and coatings to back specification decisions.
Browse topicSelection Guides
15 / 8 postsStep-by-step methodology for choosing the right industrial blade for your substrate and line.
Browse topicMaintenance & Care
6 / 6 postsRe-sharpening, storage, in-process care and life-extension routines that keep blades in service.
Browse topicTroubleshooting
5 / 5 postsDiagnose premature wear, chipping, burr and chatter with field-tested decision flows.
Browse topicCase Studies
6 / 6 postsReal converters, recyclers and metalworking lines — what failed, what we changed, what it shipped at.
Browse topicMaterials Encyclopedia
32 / 200+ postsConcise reference entries for industrial blade materials, steels and carbides — cited by AI search.
Browse topicIndustry Glossary
45 / 500+ postsIndustrial blade terminology defined for engineers, buyers and procurement teams.
Browse topicCoating Comparison Table
1 / Live table entryTiN, TiCN, CrN, DLC, AlCrN and more — hardness, friction, temperature and substrate fit side by side.
Browse topicMaterial Grade Converter
1 / Live table entryCross-reference ASTM / AISI, JIS, DIN / EN and GB designations for tool steel and carbide grades.
Browse topicLatest Posts
High-Speed Steel Selection Guide
High-speed steel — AISI M-series (M1, M3, M35, M42, M50), T-series (T1, T15), and PM grades like ASP 2060. Compare hot hardness, wear life and selection…
Hot-Work Tool Steel for Die Casting and Hot Shear
Hot-work tool steel — AISI H11, H13, GB 6CrW2Si. Compare chemistry, hot hardness, thermal fatigue resistance and selection for die casting, hot shear and…
Martensitic Stainless Steel for Cutting Tools
Martensitic stainless steel — AISI 420, 440A, 440B, 440C, 17-4 PH. Compare chemistry, hardness, corrosion resistance and selection for food-contact and…
Industrial Blade Selection Framework
A structured method to match substrate, geometry, hardness, edge prep and operating speed to a production line. The 5-Factor Blade Selection Framework —…
Tungsten Carbide Grades for Industrial Blades
Tungsten carbide — GB YG6, YG10, YG15 grades and ISO 513 K-series. Compare composition, hardness, wear resistance and selection for granulator rotors,…
Compare HSS vs Tungsten Carbide Cutting Tools
Compare industrial cutting tools to optimize manufacturing efficiency. Learn how to choose between high-speed steel, carbide, and coated blades today.
17-4PH Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel
AISI 630 / UNS S17400 — precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless, 1,300 MPa UTS. Compare with 440C for high-strength structural blades.
AISI 420 Martensitic Stainless Steel
AISI 420 (UNS S42000) — basic martensitic stainless, HRC 48–54, food-grade toughness. Compare with 440A/B/C for your cutting application.
AISI 440A Martensitic Stainless Steel
AISI 440A (UNS S44002) — lowest-carbon 440 grade, HRC 54–56, optimised for corrosion over hardness. Compare with 440B/C for food-contact blades.
AISI 440B Martensitic Stainless Steel
AISI 440B (UNS S44003) — mid-carbon 440 grade, HRC 56–58. Compare with 440A and 440C for industrial knives and bearings.
GB 6CrW2Si Hot-Work Tool Steel
GB 6CrW2Si (GB/T 1299) — tungsten-modified 5 Cr hot-work tool steel. Compare with H11 and H13 for hot shear blades and short-run hot-work dies.