Japanese Knife Steel Types Explained
Japanese knife steel can be confusing — Shirogami, Aogami, Ginsan, VG-10, SG2, HAP-40… What do all these names actually mean? Let me break them down. Carbon Steels Shirogami (白紙) — White Paper Steel Made by Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals) in Yasugi, Shimane. Almost pure carbon steel with minimal alloying elements — this means it takes the absolute sharpest edge possible. Hardness: 62–64 HRC Sharpness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rust resistance: ⭐ (very low — wipe dry immediately!) Best for: Purists who want the ultimate cutting feel Available as #1 (highest carbon), #2 (balanced), and #3 (most forgiving). ...