Japanese Steel Types and Characteristic!

SHIROGAMI 1 (white steel)
Hitachi Co., around 1.3% carbon, 0.25% manganese, HRC 61-64.
This is pure carbon steel, fine grained and extremely hard, used by traditional foundries and for forging Honyaki blades.

SHIROGAMI 2
The same components as 1, but in lower quantities.

AOGAMI 1 (blue steel)
Hitachi Co., around 1.3% carbon, shirogami base + 1.5% tungsten, 0.4% chromium, HRC 61-64.
The addition of carbides makes it stronger than white steel. It is also used for the best honyaki blades.

AOGAMI 2
The same components as 1, but in lower quantities.

AOGAMI SUPER
Hitachi Co., around 1.4% carbon, aogami base + 0.4% molybdenum, 0.4% vanadium, HRC 61-65.
This high quality steel is even harder and stronger when it is treated well. Able to take very sharp, resistant edges, it cuts beautifully.

TAMAHAGANE
This is relatively soft, high-quality steel that is forged in a blast furnace for long blades, in particular, swords.

STAINLESS

GINSANKO or SILVER3
Hitachi Co., around 1.05% carbon, 13% chrome, 0.8% manganese, HRC 59-62.
This is the stainless steel traditionally used most often. It is very pure, fine grained and has a good structure for high performance.

VG10
Takefu Co., around 1% carbon, 15% chromium, 1% molybdenum, 0.2% vanadium, 1.4% cobalt, 0.5% manganese, HRC 58-62.
Cutting-edge stainless steel, widely used today for its properties. It can be forged at a higher temperature thanks to the cobalt. It is hard and resistant to wear, strain and oxidation. It will keep a clean, sharpened edge longer. It is also very often used for suminagashi.

VG1 (RC60)
Takefu Co., around 0.95% carbon, 14% chromium and 0.30% molybdenum.
An alloy with a high carbon content that is very resistant owing to the addition of molybdenum.

AUS10
Aichi Co., around 1.05% carbon, 14% chromium, 0.2% molybdenum, 0.2% vanadium, 0.5% manganese, 0.50% nickel, 1% silicon, HRC 58-61.
Middle-range stainless steel with the addition of Mo/V to give it greater strength than basic stainless steel.

HSS, POWDER STEEL

R2
Kobelco Co. steel, around 1.45% carbon, 16% chromium, 3.2% molybdenum, 2% vanadium and 0.5% manganese, HRC 62-65.
Very resistant to oxidation, wear and strain, this high-quality steel provides optimal results and sharpens relatively easily.

SKD11/ SLD
Hitachi Co., around 1.6% carbon, 13% chromium, 1% molybdenum, 0.4% vanadium, 0.3% manganese, HRC 62-64.
Steel for tools. Well used, it resists wear very well. SLD is the same base, improved at the level of the grain.

SRS15
Around 1.5% carbon, 13% chromium, 2.75% molybdenum, 1.5% vanadium, 1.25% tungsten, HRC 62-64.
An alloy with great resistance to wear. Treated correctly, it performs very well for kitchen knives.

SG2 ou SPG2 (MC63)
Takefu Co., around 1.35% carbon, 14.5% chromium, 2.8% molybdenum, 2% vanadium, 0.35% manganese, 0.10% nickel, HRC 61-63.
Practically the same as R-2.