Tool steels (A2, D2, H13, O1 and others) are used for dies, molds, punches and cutting tools. In the annealed (soft) state they machine like tough alloy steel; once heat-treated hard, conventional cutting gives way to hard milling with rigid machines and CBN/ceramic tooling, grinding, or EDM. Thermal stability and rigidity define the finish.
Machine soft where you can, then heat-treat and finish hard by grinding or EDM. See tool steel, machining hardened steel and the mold-and-die guide; value machines at The Machine Blue Book.
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