Japanese knife steels, compared on one scale

The steel decides how sharp a knife gets, how long it stays that way, how hard it is to bring back, and whether it rusts. Ratings are relative to each other. The steel guide explains how to choose.

Steel	Kind	HRC	Edge retention	Ease of sharpening	Rust resistance	Toughness
VG-10	stainless	60-61	●●●○○	●●●○○	●●●●●	●●●○○
SG2 / R2	powder stainless	62-64	●●●●○	●●○○○	●●●●○	●●○○○
Ginsan (Silver 3)	stainless	60-62	●●○○○	●●●●○	●●●●○	●●●○○
Stainless (AUS/Swedish/Moly)	stainless	58-60	●●○○○	●●●●○	●●●●○	●●●●○
ZDP-189	powder stainless	65-67	●●●●●	●○○○○	●●●●○	●○○○○
Shirogami 2	carbon	61-63	●●○○○	●●●●●	●○○○○	●●●○○
Aogami 2	carbon	61-63	●●●○○	●●●●○	●○○○○	●●●○○
Aogami Super	carbon	63-65	●●●●○	●●●○○	●○○○○	●●○○○

VG-10 Steel: What It Is and Who Should Buy It

VG-10 steel explained: Takefu stainless at HRC 60-61, how a VG-10 knife holds an edge, sharpens and resists rust, and how it stacks up against SG2 and AUS-10.

SG2 / R2 Steel: Powder Stainless for Long-Lasting Edges

SG2 and R2 steel are the same Kobelco powder stainless. See how an SG2 knife holds an edge at HRC 62-64 and how it compares with VG-10 and ZDP-189.

Ginsan Steel: Silver 3 Stainless That Sharpens Like Carbon

Ginsan steel, or Silver 3, is Hitachi stainless that sharpens like carbon. See how a Ginsan knife performs and how it compares with Shirogami 2 and VG-10.

AUS-10 Steel: Aichi Stainless for Everyday Japanese Knives

AUS-10 steel is Aichi stainless for value Japanese knives. See how an AUS-10 knife holds an edge, sharpens and resists rust, and how it compares with VG-10.

ZDP-189 Steel: The Hardest Japanese Knife Steel Explained

ZDP-189 steel is Hitachi powder stainless at HRC 65-67. See how a ZDP-189 knife holds an edge, why it is hard to sharpen, and how it compares with SG2.

Shirogami 2 Steel: White #2 Carbon Steel Explained

Shirogami 2 steel is Hitachi's white carbon steel. See why a Shirogami 2 knife is the easiest to sharpen, how it rusts, and how it compares with Aogami 2.

Aogami 2 Steel: Blue #2 Carbon Steel for Japanese Knives

Aogami 2 steel is Hitachi's balanced blue carbon steel. See how an Aogami 2 knife sharpens and rusts, and how it compares with Shirogami 2 and Aogami Super.

Aogami Super Steel: Blue Super Carbon Steel Explained

Aogami Super steel is Hitachi's top carbon steel at HRC 63-65. See how an Aogami Super knife cuts and sharpens, and how it compares with Aogami 2 and SG2.