Heat Treatment Specifications
Austenitizing
Temperature800°C(1472°F)
Soak Time15 minutes
Tempering
Temperature180°C(356°F)
Time120 minutes
Cycles1x
Quench Medium
oil
Target Hardness
60 - 62 HRC
Performance Characteristics
Toughness7/10
Edge Retention6.5/10
Corrosion Resistance1.5/10
Ease of Sharpening7.5/10
Overall Score22.5/40
Interesting Facts
- 1Hitachi Yasugi Specialty Steel (trademark)
- 2Equivalent to AISI-W5 and JIS-SKS93
- 3Made exclusively at Proterial plant in Shimane Prefecture, Japan
- 4Used by artisans in Sanjo city known for metalwork since 17th century
- 5More carbon than SK steel, suitable for fine blades
Famous Uses
Japanese bonsai scissors
Ikebana tools
Sanjo artisan tools
Best For
Traditional tools
Japanese knives
Chisels
Similar Steels
SK5
More well-known alternative
Aogami #2
Premium version
Not Recommended For
- Wet environments
- Western markets
- Beginners
Expert Tips
- 1Simple carbon steel
- 2Develops patina
- 3Easy on whetstones
- 4Classic Japanese tool steel