Steel Database

The science behind the edge — explore every steel used in Japanese knives

VG-10

stainless · 60-62 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 4/5 Rust: 4/5 Sharpen: 3/5 Tough: 3/5

AUS-10

stainless · 59-61 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 3/5 Rust: 4/5 Sharpen: 4/5 Tough: 4/5

SG2/R2

powdered · 63-64 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 5/5 Rust: 4/5 Sharpen: 2/5 Tough: 3/5

Aogami Super

carbon · 63-66 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 5/5 Rust: 1/5 Sharpen: 2/5 Tough: 2/5

Aogami #2

carbon · 62-64 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 4/5 Rust: 1/5 Sharpen: 3/5 Tough: 3/5

Shirogami #2

carbon · 61-63 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 3/5 Rust: 1/5 Sharpen: 5/5 Tough: 4/5

Shirogami #1

carbon · 62-64 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 4/5 Rust: 1/5 Sharpen: 4/5 Tough: 3/5

Ginsan (Silver-3)

stainless · 60-62 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 4/5 Rust: 3/5 Sharpen: 4/5 Tough: 4/5

ZDP-189

powdered · 64-67 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 5/5 Rust: 3/5 Sharpen: 1/5 Tough: 2/5

HAP40

powdered · 64-66 HRC

Edge Retention Corrosion Resistance Ease of Sharpening Toughness Hardness
Edge: 5/5 Rust: 2/5 Sharpen: 1/5 Tough: 2/5