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Carbon Steel Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is reactive — it will rust quickly if not properly cared for. Always wash immediately after use, dry thoroughly, and apply a thin coat of food-safe oil (camellia, mineral) before storage. Over time it develops a patina that offers some natural protection and, for many users, becomes part of the knife's character. Rewarding to use, but not recommended if you want a "wash and forget" knife.
Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵

Blue Super / Aogami Super 青紙スーパー

Hardness ? Rockwell C Hardness (HRC) measures how resistant a steel is to permanent deformation. For kitchen knives:

55–58 HRC — Soft. Easy to sharpen and forgiving of rough use, but dulls faster. Typical of most German knives.
59–61 HRC — Balanced. Good edge retention with manageable sharpening. Common in mid-range Japanese knives.
62–64 HRC — Hard. Excellent edge retention, holds a very fine edge. Requires more care and a fine stone to sharpen.
65+ HRC — Very hard. Exceptional edge longevity but more brittle — more prone to chipping if used roughly.

Higher is not always better — it depends on how you use and maintain your knife.
62–65 HRC
555759616365+
Aogami Super steel, also known as Blue Super Steel, is highly esteemed among Japanese carbon steels for its exceptional qualities. Produced by Hitachi Metals Ltd., this steel surpasses Blue Steel No.1 in its composition, featuring higher amounts of carbon, chromium, and tungsten, with the addition of molybdenum. Aogami Super is celebrated for its remarkable edge sharpness and superior edge retention capabilities. It can achieve high levels of hardness without becoming brittle, a characteristic that sets it apart and endears it to knife enthusiasts worldwide. The steel's enhanced carbon content enables it to maintain sharpness for extended periods, while the added chromium aids in rust resistance. A touch of vanadium increases its toughness, making it less prone to chipping. These attributes make Aogami Super one of the most revered high carbon steels globally, often described as a knife nerd's dream for its balance of hardness, durability, and maintenance ease.
Composition

Blue Super / Aogami Super Element Composition

Compare with
    Blue Super / Aogami Super
    2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0
    C Carbon 1.4%
    Primary hardening element. Raises hardness and wear resistance — but too much increases brittleness and corrosion susceptibility. As a reference: German 1.4112 (~0.5%) sits at the low end; VG-10 (~1.0%) is a common mid-range; SG2 (1.25–1.45%) and ZDP-189 (~3.0%) represent high and extreme ends respectively.
    C
    1.4%
    Cr Chromium 0.3%
    Raises corrosion resistance; 13%+ qualifies steel as stainless. Also improves hardenability and wear resistance. In kitchen use, higher chromium levels contribute to a slight drag or sticking sensation when cutting — a trade-off for the rust resistance it provides.
    Cr
    0.3%
    W Tungsten 2.0%
    Forms hard carbides for wear resistance and edge retention. Gives the steel hardness even at elevated temperatures.
    W
    2.0%
    Mn Manganese 0.2%
    Aids hardenability and strength. Acts as a deoxidiser during smelting. Excess can reduce toughness.
    Mn
    0.2%
    Si Silicon 0.1%
    Strengthens the steel matrix and acts as a deoxidiser. Improves hardness and resistance to oxidation.
    Si
    0.1%
    P Phosphorus 0.025%
    Impurity from the smelting process. Even small amounts cause brittleness — steelmakers keep this as low as possible.
    P
    0.025%
    S Sulfur 0.004%
    Impurity that reduces toughness and promotes brittleness. Intentionally added only in free-machining steels.
    S
    0.004%
    C — Carbon Cr — Chromium W — Tungsten Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur
    Hardness 62–65 HRC
    555759616365+
    Steel
    Blue Super / Aogami Super
    Category
    Carbon
    Manufacturer
    Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
    Hardness
    62–65 HRC

    Knives in Blue Super / Aogami Super

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    Kurosaki Kokusen Ei Aogami Super K tip Gyuto 270mm Turquoise White Ferrule

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    Kurosaki Kokusen Ei Aogami Super K tip Gyuto 240mm Turquoise White Ferrule
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    Kurosaki Kokusen Ei AS Nakiri 170mm - Turquoise Ferrule

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    Kurosaki Kokusen Ei AS Bunka 170mm  - Turquoise Ferrule
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    Kurosaki Kokusen Ei AS Bunka 170mm - Turquoise Ferrule

    Kurosaki Kokusen Ei AS Petty 130mm - Turquoise Ferrule

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    Hatsukokoro Shinkiro Aogami Super Gyuto 240mm Damascus Kurouchi Stag Handle

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    Hatsukokoro Shinkiro Aogami Super Gyuto 240mm Damascus Kurouchi Stag Handle

    Teruyasu Fujiwara Denka Sujihiki 240mm Aogami Super Kurouchi

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    Kurosaki Kokusen AS Santoku 170mm - Curly Maple

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    Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Gyuto 240mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
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    Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU K-tip Gyuto 210mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate

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    Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU K-tip Gyuto 210mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate

    Kurosaki Kokusen AS Santoku 170mm - Ivory Ferrule

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    Teruyasu Fujiwara Denka Sujihiki 300mm Aogami Super Kurouchi

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    Anryu Aogami Super Hammered Kurouchi Santoku 175mm Ebony Handle
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    Masakage Koishi AS Petty 120mm, Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime K&S Hearted-shaped Ironwood Handle
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    Masakage Koishi AS Nakiri 165mm, Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime K&S Hearted-shaped Ironwood Handle

    Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Gyuto 210mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate

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    Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate

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    Masakage Koishi AS Gyuto 210mm Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime K&S Hearted-shaped Ironwood Handle
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    Shibata

    Masakage Koishi AS Gyuto 210mm Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime K&S Hearted-shaped Ironwood Handle

    Masakage Koishi AS Santoku 175mm, Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime K&S Hearted-shaped Ironwood Handle

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    Masakage Koishi AS Santoku 175mm, Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime K&S Hearted-shaped Ironwood Handle

    Masakage Koishi AS Bunka 175mm, Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime K&S Hearted-shaped Ironwood Handle
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    Shibata

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    Nigara Aogami (Blue) Super Gyuto 210mm Tsuchime Black Chacate

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    Shiro Kamo AS Kurouchi Petty 150mm Ebony
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    Shiro Kamo AS Kurouchi Santoku 165mm
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    Hatsukokoro Shinkiro Petty 150mm Aogami Super Kurouchi Damascus

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    Kurosaki Kokusen Ei Aogami Super K tip Gyuto 210mm Ebony Handle
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    Nigara Aogami (Blue) Super K-tip Petty 150mm Matt Migaki Tsuchime Finished Black Chacate

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    Nigara Aogami (Blue) Super Matt Migaki Tsuchime Finished Bunka 180mm Black Chacate

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    Hatsukokoro Hayabusa Aogami Super Sanmai Sujihiki 270mm Black Chacate

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    Hatsukokoro Hayabusa Aogami Super Sanmai Sujihiki 270mm Black Chacate

    Hatsukokoro Hayabusa Aogami Super Migaki Santoku 180mm Black Chacate

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    Hatsukokoro Hayabusa Aogami Super Migaki Petty 150mm Black Chacate

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    Nigara Aogami (Blue) Super Matt Migaki Tsuchime Finished Petty 150mm Black Chacate

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    Hatsukokoro Shinkiro Aogami Super K-tip Gyuto 240mm Damascus Kurouchi Birch Handle

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    Anryu Aogami Super Hammered Kurouchi Bunka 170mm
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