Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature800°C(1472°F)
Soak Time20 minutes
Tempering
Temperature180°C(356°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles1x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
58 - 61 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness6.5/10
Edge Retention6.5/10
Corrosion Resistance1.5/10
Ease of Sharpening7.5/10
Overall Score22/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Similar to AISI O2 tool steel but without vanadium
- 2Deep hardening steel - easier heat treat than White #2
- 3About 1% carbon like Shirogami #2 but different hardenability
- 4Very easy to sharpen to extremely sharp edge
Famous Uses
Shear knives
Press dies
Japanese kitchen knives
Best For
Japanese kitchen knives
Shear knives
Industrial dies
Similar Steels
SK5
No alloying elements
Aogami #2
Premium version
Not Recommended For
- Wet environments
- Western markets
Expert Tips
- 1Often cladded with stainless
- 2Will develop patina
- 3Easy to sharpen on whetstones
- 4Good for wa-handle knives