"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote in message . 3.70...
"PrecisionmachinisT" fired this volley
in news:vJGdnaDui86CoTTSnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@scnresearch. com:


Cobalt is not a coating; it's a premuim grade of tool steel that's been
formulated with a higher cobalt content, for the purpose of increasing
red-hardness and abrasion resistance.

Correct; I saw "coated" when he wrote that. Cobalt alloy cutters and
drills are more than "just a few cents more".


Okay, just wanted to make sure you were clear on that..

BTW, cobalt end mills are a bit more difficult to grind, the word "tougher" being an apt description...spark color, pattern and intensity is also bit different.

Anyways--likely it won't take you very long to notice that, when sharpening, they actually do "feel" a bit different as compared to M2--after which point if you ever happen to unexpectadly encounter one, you'll probably realize it fairly quickly.