Shirogami #2 steel
Shirogami #2 is a carbon steel from Hitachi Metals. It rates 4/10 for edge retention, 6/10 for toughness and 1/10 for corrosion resistance, and is usually hardened to 61–64 HRC.
At a glance
- Type
- Carbon steels
- Hardness
- 61–64 HRC
- Maker
- Hitachi Metals (Proterial) Yasugi (Japan)
- Process
- ingot
- Price tier
- Mid-range
- Used by
- Tojiro (Shirogami), Masakage, Moritaka, Yoshihiro, Tanaka, Shibata
- Also called
- White #2, White Paper 2, Shirogami 2
Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.1 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.3 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.2 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.004 |
Source: manufacturer datasheet. Nominal values; where a range is published, the midpoint is shown. Phosphorus and sulfur, where listed, are maximums.
What makes Shirogami #2 behave the way it does
Shirogami #2 contains 1.1% carbon, enough to reach typical knife hardness.
Most common Japanese kitchen carbon steel.
Knives in Shirogami #2
| Knife | Brand | Blade | Weight | Lock | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoshikane White #2 Nashiji Gyuto 210mm | Yoshikane | 8.39" | 6.2 oz | — | — | Blade HQ |
| Masamoto KS White #2 Gyuto 240mm | Masamoto | 10.04" | 6.2 oz | — | — | Blade HQ |
| Sakai Takayuki Sanpou Shirogami Gyuto 210mm | Sakai Takayuki | 8.25" | 7.6 oz | — | — | Blade HQ |
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How to sharpen Shirogami #2
Shirogami #2 is easy to sharpen (10/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
FAQ
Is Shirogami #2 a good knife steel?
Shirogami #2 is strongest in ease of sharpening (10/10) and weakest in corrosion resistance (1/10). Its average across the four ratings is 5.2/10, and it sits in the mid-range price tier.
Does Shirogami #2 rust?
Yes. Shirogami #2 rates 1/10 and will rust or patina without care; dry it after use and keep a thin coat of oil on it.
Is Shirogami #2 hard to sharpen?
Shirogami #2 is easy to sharpen (10/10). Aluminium-oxide and water stones work well, and it takes a fine edge quickly; a ceramic rod or strop keeps it going between sharpenings.
What hardness is Shirogami #2?
Knives in Shirogami #2 are usually hardened to 61–64 HRC. Makers can run it outside that range; harder means better edge retention but lower toughness.