Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature1093°C(1999°F)
Soak Time20 minutes
Tempering
Temperature204°C(399°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles2x
Quench Medium
plate
Target Hardness
60 - 64 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness5.5/10
Edge Retention6.5/10
Corrosion Resistance7/10
Ease of Sharpening5/10
Overall Score24/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Takefu Special Steel R2 designation
- 2PM stainless with excellent edge retention
- 3Often found in Damascus-clad kitchen knives
Famous Uses
Shun Premier
High-end Japanese kitchen knives
Best For
Kitchen knives
High-end cutting applications
Edge retention priority
High-performance cutting tools
Superior edge retention applications
Similar Steels
VG-10
Easier to find, cheaper, slightly inferior
R2
Alternative name from some manufacturers
ZDP-189
Even harder, even more complex
Not Recommended For
- Budget projects
- Rough work
- Field use
Expert Tips
- 1PM technology enables fine grain structure
- 2Suitable for 64HRC hardness
- 3Popular in premium Japanese cutlery
- 4Proper heat treatment for 62-64 HRC
- 5Handle corrosion despite stainless