Simply Tool Steel Blog

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Mar 15, 2023

Knife Steel Introduction

We have updated our knife steel introduction to include the newer CPM S35VN and M390 data sheets. These are two tough stainless knife steels with very good edge retention.Have you read this article?

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Mar 14, 2023

Knife Steel Simplified Book

KSSBC-2019

Knife Steel Simplified is our new book that contains 152 pages of tool steel information devoted to the knife maker engaged in the production of high-quality tool steel knives.

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Mar 07, 2023

Tool Steel Simplified Book

TSSBC-2019

"Tool Steel Simplified" is packed with valued tool steel knowledge and resources necessary to produce high-quality tooling. 226 pages of information that can help you produce high-quality tooling for your manufacturing application.

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Mar 03, 2023

Simply Tool Steel Home

Toor_Valor_Knife

Custom fabricated high-speed steel tool bits in PM M-48 and PM T-15

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Jan 12, 2023

Knife Steel Comparison Chart

This comparison chart compares the toughness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of CPM S30V, CPM S90V, 154 CM, 440C and D-2 knife steels.

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Jan 05, 2023

Tool Steel Data Sheets

Data sheets for many common tool steel grades including O-1, L-6, A-2, D-2, S-7 and H-13, A-11, A-11LV, PM M-4, PM T-15, M-48 and many more tool steels with heat treating instructions

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Dec 29, 2022

Emergency Situation Bag

man-hiking-in-rain

Emergencies occur when least expected. Are you prepared for a real life emergency situation? What should you have prepared?

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Dec 05, 2022

A-11 Tool Steel Data Sheet

A-11 Tool steel is a very common high wear resistant tool steel. This grade achieves its wear resistance by forming vanadium carbides through the use of 10% vanadium content.

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Jun 20, 2022

Stainless and Mold Steel Comparison Chart

Toughness, wear resistance, hardness and corrosion resistance of many common mold steels including 420 ESR and 440C stainless steel are compared on thiis stainless and mold steel comparison chart.

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Jun 06, 2022

Stress Relieving of Tool Steel

Stress relieving tool steel plays a very important role. It reduces the stress in the tool that causes dimensional instability during the hardening process. See how this process works.

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May 18, 2022

Cold Work Tool Steel Comparison Chart

This is the conventional cold work tool steel comparison chart comparing O-1, L-6, S-7, H-13, A-2 and D-2

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May 09, 2022

Annealing of Tool Steel

Annealing is required when the tool steel needs to be restored to its' original soft condition.to facilitate further machining or hot working.

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May 03, 2022

Z-Wear PM Tool Steel Data Sheet

Z-Wear PM grade of cold work tool steel that offers a versatile combination of high value, high toughness and high hardness. Z-Wear PM is well suited for many form tool applications, including metal stamping, powder metal compaction and plastic injection molding

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Apr 05, 2022

Avoiding Tool Failure

Is tool failure a problem for your operation? Many factors contribute to the production of a good tool.. Using the proper precautions can lead to higher productivity.

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Mar 16, 2022

Cryogenic Treatment of Tool Steel

Some tool steels may benefit from a cryogenic treatment.This article details the cryogenic treatment of tool steel and the benefits.

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Mar 10, 2022

Tool Steel Terminology

What is residual stress? Find the definition here. An explanation of tool steel terminology is explained here.

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Mar 03, 2022

Choosing the Correct Tool Steel

Choosing the correct tool steel for your application will lead to successful production, less downtime and increased tool performance.

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Mar 02, 2022

Preheating of Tool Steel

How important is preheating of tool steel? Do you want straight tools? Consistent and even results? See the benefits of preheating in this article.

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Feb 23, 2022

Heat Treating of Tool Steel

The Complete Heat Treating Cycle for Tool Steel

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Feb 22, 2022

Common Alloying Elements of Tool Steel

What makes tool steel different from most other steel? How do the alloying elements affect tool steel? The answers are here.

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Feb 17, 2022

Powder Metal Compaction

Learn about the powder compaction process, properties, characteristics and tool steels used.in the PM industry. The PM industry is very diverse, serving nearly every consumer market.

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Feb 09, 2022

M-4 High Speed Steel Data Sheet

PM M-4 high speed steel data sheet with heat treating instructions

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Jan 13, 2022

Properties of Tool Steel

Toughness, wear resistance and red hardness are inherent properties of tool steel. Hardness is another property that is developed during the heat treating process.

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Jan 11, 2022

Steel Comparison Charts

Temp-color-chart-small

Compare the wear resistance, hardness, toughness, red hardness and corrosion resistance of similar tool steel grades.

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May 06, 2021

Conventional Tool Steel Heat Treating Cycle

Proper heat treating of your tooling is critical. This article covers the proper heat treating method for conventional tool steels, such as A-2, D-2, S-7 and H-13, to assure their best performance.

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Apr 28, 2021

Welding of Tool Steel

Welding of tool steel is sometimes a necessary practice. This article is an explanation of the procedure and precautions that should be taken and equipment used when welding tool steel.

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Apr 23, 2021

Tool Steel Properties

This is the page dedicated to tool steel properties and selection

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Apr 15, 2021

Machining Tool Steel

Machining tool steel is the process of shaping the tool steel into a useable form. Learn about the process here or add your knowledge to teach others.

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Apr 13, 2021

Austenizing of Tool Steel

An explanation of the hardening, or austenizing of tool steel. This is the stage of the heat treating process when the transformation of the structure takes place.

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Apr 07, 2021

EDM of Tool Steel

EDM-white-layer

The EDM process is used in many toolmaking industries to aid in the production of intircate tooling. Read about the EDM process and the necessary precautions for tool steel.

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Mar 30, 2021

Tool Steel Wear Resistance

Tool steel wear resistance and hardness combine to provide longevity to the life of a tool. Do your tools wear out due to abrasion or adhesion? Find out how to tell the difference.

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Mar 19, 2021

Tempering of Tool Steel

Improper or insufficient tempering of tool steel may lead to problems during use. Discover the importance of proper tempering and ways to reduce breakage.

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Jan 13, 2021

D-2 Tool Steel Data Sheet

D-2 is a standard tool steel in many manufacturing industries and custom knife making. D-2 tool steel provides high hardness and wear resistance for reliability.

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Dec 23, 2020

Grinding Tool Steel

Chipping and cracking are two common problems that occur from the use of improper grinding practices. Severe tool steel damage may occur during the grinding operation

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Dec 22, 2020

Tool and Die

Tool and die makers are a specialized group of manufacturers that produce tooling components for other industries. Tool steel is the center of the tool and die industry.

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Aug 13, 2020

Tool Steel Selection

With so many tool steel grades available, how do you chose the correct tool steel grade for your application and what tool steel properties are required for your tool to be successful?

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Jun 01, 2020

CPM S35VN Stainless Steel Data Sheet

New CPM S35VN stainless steel data sheet highlights the edge retention and toughness of this knife steel. CPM S35VN is a tougher version of CPM S30V, due to the addition of niobium.

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May 28, 2020

M390 / CPM 20CV Stainless Steel Data Sheet

M390/CPM 20CV Stainless steel is a PM stainless grade that offers excellent corrosion resistance and good wear resistance through the use of high chromium and vanadium.

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May 22, 2020

What is Tool Steel

Tool steel forms nearly everything in your life. Tool steel is a special type of steel used in the production of tooling for many industrial processes.

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May 13, 2020

Advertise on simplytoolsteel

Sitewide advertising begins on March 1st. Reserve your spot today and reach more than 30,000 manufacturers per month. Larger ads with duration periods of 3 months or 1 year.

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Mar 13, 2020

High Speed Steel Tool Bits

HSS tool bits are available in a variety of sizes and are used for many machining operations such as milling, boring and turning. M-2 and PM T-15 are very durable grades for these operations.

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Jan 23, 2020

STS Knife Store

ESEE Sawtooth

Holiday gift giving just go a whole lot easier. STS Knife Store has some excellent buys on high-end knives. These knives and tools are catagorized by the blade steel to make selection simple.

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Jan 03, 2020

Today's Tool Steel Knife News

Are knives one of your passions? We have published an ebook titled "Knife Steel Simplified" that will aid you in understanding knife steel, its' properties, heat treatment and also provide knife grinding tips to ensure that your custom made knives are of the best quality. You can find our downloadable book on our website or on our newsfeed. Tell your friends.

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Dec 11, 2019

EDM Blanks

Speed up your tooling production cycle. Cut your tool production time in half. When quick turnaround of a tooling component is required, grab an EDM blank and complete the tool quickly.

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Dec 05, 2019

S-7 Tool Steel Data Sheet

S-7 is an air hardening tool steel, formulated for high impact resistance at relatively high hardness. It offers toughness to withstand chipping and breaking up to RC 59.

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Aug 16, 2019

T-15 High Speed Steel Data Sheet

Does your operation generate heat? PM T-15 high speed steel may solve your tooling issues caused by high speeds and friction.

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Jun 26, 2019

Today's Steel News

Simply Tool Steel joins Today's Steel News

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Mar 25, 2019

STS Knife Steel Store

KSSBC-2019

Simply Tool Steel is the premier online source for Z-Wear PM, CPM 3V and CPM S35VN knife steel.

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Feb 12, 2019

4140 Alloy Steel Data Sheet

4140 is not a tool steel, but it is an alloy steel that is commonly used in conjunction with tool steels as structural components.

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