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Hitachi / Japan

Shirogami #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

Shirogami #1 (White Paper Steel #1) is one of the purest knife steels produced by Hitachi. Designed to minimize alloying elements, it contains primarily iron and carbon, allowing it to develop an extremely fine grain structure. This purity enables Shirogami #1 to take an extraordinarily sharp edge and makes sharpening remarkably easy compared to most modern steels. Because of its high carbon content, it can achieve very high hardness levels while maintaining excellent cutting feel. It is highly favored by traditional Japanese bladesmiths and professional chefs who prioritize ultimate sharpness over corrosion resistance. However, the lack of chromium makes it highly reactive and prone to rust if not properly maintained.

Comparable Steels:

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

  • Shirogami #1 < Aogami #1 in wear resistance

  • Shirogami #1 < Aogami Super in edge retention

  • Shirogami #1 > 1095 in sharpening ease and edge refinement

  • Shirogami #1 ≈ 52100 in cutting performance, but offers easier sharpening

  • Shirogami #1 < CPM MagnaCut and M390 in corrosion resistance

  • Shirogami #1 remains one of the benchmark steels for achieving the finest possible cutting edge in traditional Japanese knife making.

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
8.0
Toughness
8.0
Corrosion Resistance
1.0
Sharpenability
10.0

Advantages

  • Exceptional sharpness potential
  • Extremely easy to sharpen
  • Very fine grain structure
  • Excellent cutting feel and edge refinement
  • High hardness capability
  • Preferred by traditional Japanese craftsmen

Disadvantages

  • Extremely low corrosion resistance
  • Requires constant maintenance
  • Develops patina quickly
  • Can chip at very high hardness levels
  • Not suitable for humid or marine environments

At A Glance

Shirogami #1 is a premium ultra-pure Japanese carbon steel renowned for exceptional sharpness, effortless sharpening, and outstanding cutting performance in traditional handcrafted knives.