AISI D2 and JIS SKD11 are the most-quoted cold-work tool steels in industrial blade manufacturing. They share a spec sheet — but the heat treatment, dimensional consistency and field performance are not identical. Here is the engineering comparison.
JIS SKD11 is the Japanese standard cold-work tool steel, chemically equivalent to AISI D2 but with a tighter vanadium range and typically tighter stock tolerance. The default precision-blade grade in East Asia.
Paper slitting looks simple until you account for the substrate GSM, the caliper variation, the trim, the lay-flat tension and the line speed. This guide walks through the substrate map, the steel grade decision, the edge-prep and clearance targets, and the line-side conditions that determine whether your slitter lasts 7 days or 70 days.
A structured method our engineers use to match substrate, geometry, hardness target, edge preparation and operating speed to a production line — without second-guessing the steel grade.