Aogami #2 (Blue Paper Steel #2) is one of the most respected traditional Japanese carbon steels produced by Hitachi. It is based on Shirogami steel with the addition of tungsten and chromium, which improve wear resistance and edge retention while preserving excellent sharpening characteristics. Compared to Aogami #1, it contains slightly less carbon, resulting in improved toughness and reduced chipping risk. Many Japanese knife makers consider Aogami #2 the ideal balance within the Blue Steel family, offering outstanding cutting performance, long edge life, and practical durability. It is widely used in high-end kitchen knives and handcrafted cutting tools.
Comparable Steels:
Aogami #2 > Shirogami #2 in edge retention
Aogami #2 < Aogami #1 in maximum hardness
Aogami #2 > 1095 in wear resistance and refinement
Aogami #2 ≈ 52100 in toughness, but offers higher hardness potential
Aogami #2 < CPM-S90V and M398 in wear resistance
Aogami #2 > VG-10 in sharpening feel and edge keenness
Aogami #2 < CPM MagnaCut in corrosion resistance and versatility