Here's another look at the new (as of 2013) Pohl Force Mike One, specifically the blade steel, Niolox by Lohmann. Marketed as a sort of "rust resistant D2," Niolox supposedly emulates the mechanical proerties of D2 without the propensity for corrosion, but it has such a wildly different chemistry, I just had to get down to using it to see for myself.
What I've found so far would seem to bear out that characterization. The chemistry wild card in Niolox is the element Niobium. Apparently niobium, along with less carbon and chromium than D2 have indeed done their job in producing a wear-resistant, rust resistant tool steel, but it comes at a price -- this stuff is very hard to sharpen! Is it worth it? Hmmm... Maybe so. Pretty interesting stuff...
