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Hitachi / Japan

Aogami #1

High Carbon Tool Steel (Non-Stainless)62–66 HRCConventional Ingot Steel Process

Composition

Core alloying elements define the baseline trade-off between wear resistance, corrosion behavior, and toughness.

Material Overview

Aogami #1 (Blue Paper Steel #1) is one of the highest-performance traditional carbon steels produced by Hitachi. It is based on Shirogami (White Steel) with the addition of tungsten and chromium to improve wear resistance and edge retention. Compared to Aogami #2, Aogami #1 contains more carbon, allowing it to achieve higher hardness and longer edge life. It is highly regarded by Japanese bladesmiths for its ability to take an extremely fine edge and maintain exceptional cutting performance. However, its increased hardness comes with reduced toughness and very low corrosion resistance, requiring careful maintenance. It is widely used in premium Japanese kitchen knives and traditional woodworking tools.

Comparable Steels:

  • Aogami #1 > Aogami #2 in edge retention and hardness

  • Aogami #1 ≈ CTS-XHP in cutting longevity

  • Aogami #1 < ZDP-189 in wear resistance

  • Aogami #1 > 52100 in sharpness potential

  • Aogami #1 < CPM MagnaCut in corrosion resistance and overall versatility

Performance Radar

Use four core metrics to understand the usable operating envelope of this steel at a glance.

Edge Retention
Toughness
Corrosion Resistance
Sharpenability
Edge Retention
9.0
Toughness
7.0
Corrosion Resistance
2.0
Sharpenability
8.0

Advantages

  • Exceptional edge retention
  • Extremely high sharpness potential
  • Fine grain structure
  • Excellent cutting efficiency
  • Highly valued in traditional Japanese craftsmanship

Disadvantages

  • Very low corrosion resistance
  • Requires regular cleaning and oiling
  • More brittle than Aogami #2
  • Can chip under improper use
  • Not suitable for wet or marine environments

At A Glance

Aogami #1 is a premium Japanese high-carbon tool steel renowned for exceptional sharpness, outstanding edge retention, and elite cutting performance in traditional handcrafted knives.