Glossary

VG10 steel, VG-Gold-10

VG-10 stainless steel is a high-performance steel. The carbon content is lower compared to Aogami and Shirogami. VG-10 contains a high proportion of chromium (14.5 - 15.5 %) and is therefore rustproof. The possible hardness is approx. 61 HRC.

Knives with a VG-10 cutting core are characterised by their relatively high flexibility, sharpness, sharpness retention and cutting performance.

Aogami I, II, Super

Ao Gami (literally: blue paper), i.e. blue paper steel, is low alloyed, with a high carbon content of up to 1.4 % and proportions of chromium (approx. 0.3 %) and tungsten (approx. 1.1 %). The structure of the steel is special - fine carbide, finest martensite - which we also find in shirogami.

The knives with Aogami are characterised by an exceptionally high sharpening potential, high cutting performance and durability.

SPG2, Super Powder Gold 2

SPG2 (Super Powder Gold 2) is a high-performance steel from the Japanese manufacturer Takefu. Depending on the translation, the steel is also referred to as SGP2 - Super Gold Powder 2. At 1.3 %, the carbon content is very high in comparison. This makes it very hard, so that up to 65 HRC are possible. Other components are 15 % chromium, 3 % molybdenum and 2 % vanadium.

The knives with SPG2 steel are characterised by an exceptionally high sharpening potential, high cutting performance and durability.

R2 Powder steel

The carbon content of R2 Powder steel is 1.35 %, which is very high in comparison. The blade hardness is approx. 63-64 HRC.

The knives with R2 Powder steel have an exceptionally high sharpening potential, very high cutting performance and durability.

Gingami 3

Gin Gami (literally: silver paper), i.e. silver paper steel, is a stainless steel from Hitachi with a high proportion of chromium (approx. 13 - 15 %). The carbon content is between 0.9 % and 1.1 %.

Gingami is often used in Japan for particularly wear-resistant traditional knives. The knives are characterised by their good cutting performance, but above all by their durability.

Damascus steel

Damascus steel or Damascus steel is a combination of high-carbon and very hard steel and softer steel with a lower carbon content. The different types of steel are forged together and the material is folded. This produces the layers, which are seamed after the Damascus steel has hardened. During this process, soft and hard steel take on different shades of colour. This creates the famous damask pattern.

The chef's knives made from Damascus steel are characterised by their exceptionally high sharpening potential, high cutting performance and flexibility.

Kigami

Kiiro Gami (literally: yellow paper), i.e. yellow paper steel, is somewhat less common than Shirogami when it comes to Japanese knives. The quality is lower compared to Aogami and Shirogami. The carbon content is between 0.8 % and 1.2 %

Kigami is increasingly used in high-quality tool manufacture. Knives made with Kigami are in the mid-range segment. At Oryoki, we do not stock knives with this steel.

Shirogami I, II, III

The white paper steel Shiro Gami (literally: white paper) is very similar to Aogami, but is an unalloyed, pure carbon steel. The carbon content of shiro gami is also up to 1.4 %, with no tungsten or chromium. Its microstructure is very similar to that of aogami.

The knives with Shirogami are characterised by an exceptionally high sharpening potential, high cutting performance and durability.

AUS-8

The AUS-8 steel has a carbon content of between 0.7 % and 1.1 %. The possible blade hardness is 60 HRC.

The knives with Shirogami are characterised by an exceptionally high sharpening potential, high cutting performance and durability.

The chef's knives with AUS-8 steel are characterised by their high sharpness, easy sharpening process and medium durability.