Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature1050°C(1922°F)
Soak Time15 minutes
Tempering
Temperature180°C(356°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
60 - 61 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness6.5/10
Edge Retention4.5/10
Corrosion Resistance7.5/10
Ease of Sharpening8.5/10
Overall Score27/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Also known as Silver #3 or Gingami #3
- 2Developed by Hitachi Metals
- 3Stainless steel that sharpens like carbon steel
- 4Popular bridge steel between carbon and stainless for Japanese knives
- 5Takes very keen edge while being corrosion resistant
Famous Uses
Japanese kitchen knives
Tojiro knives
Intermediate sushi knives
Best For
Scissors
Kitchen knives
Professional cutting tools
Similar Steels
Shirogami
Ginsan is stainless version
AEB-L
Swedish equivalent
Not Recommended For
- Rough work
- Batoning
- Budget
Expert Tips
- 1Recommended at 59-61 HRC
- 2Ingot manufacturing
- 3Excellent for kitchen applications