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Stainless Stainless Steel

"Stainless" means stain-resistant, not stain-proof. In kitchen use, the steel can still discolour or pit if exposed to acidic environments — citrus, vinegar, or salt water — for extended periods. Wash and wipe dry after every use, and avoid leaving the blade soaking in water. With basic care, a stainless knife is very low-maintenance and a great everyday choice. Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵

SLD

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.
62–64 HRC
555759616365+
Hitachi SLD steel is a tool steel designed originally for die and machining tools. Its composition is practically identical to the D2 tool steel - a classic steel that have withstands the test of time since the WW2. The high level of Chromium content in it have made this steel almost stainless, and the decent amount of Molybdenum and Vanadium forms hard carbide, given this steel a pretty good edge retention. The toughness may be average of its kind, but it shouldn't be a big concern under the condition of normal kitchen use. SLD steel would be a good choice for those who are looking for a steel that can develop a keen edge, but not as attention demanding as a classic carbon steel.
Composition

SLD Element Composition

Compare with
    SLD
    —
    12.0% 9.0% 6.0% 3.0% 0
    C Carbon 1.5%
    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
    1.5%
    Cr Chromium 12.0%
    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
    12.0%
    V Vanadium 0.3%
    Forms extremely hard carbides for superior edge retention. Also refines grain structure, improving toughness.
    V
    0.3%
    Mo Molybdenum 0.9%
    Improves hardenability and toughness. Boosts corrosion resistance and helps the steel hold hardness under heat.
    Mo
    0.9%
    Mn Manganese 0.4%
    Aids hardenability and strength. Acts as a deoxidiser during smelting. Excess can reduce toughness.
    Mn
    0.4%
    Si Silicon 0.3%
    Strengthens the steel matrix and acts as a deoxidiser. Improves hardness and resistance to oxidation.
    Si
    0.3%
    C — Carbon Cr — Chromium V — Vanadium Mo — Molybdenum Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon
    Hardness 62–64 HRC
    555759616365+
    Steel
    SLD
    Category
    Stainless
    Manufacturer
    Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
    Hardness
    62–64 HRC

    Knives in SLD

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus K-tip Petty 120mm

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Nakiri 170mm

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi Full Polish SLD Gyuto 210mm Black Damascus Birch

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi Full Polish SLD Gyuto 210mm Black Damascus Birch

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Petty 130mm

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Petty 130mm

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Petty 150mm

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Petty 150mm

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Santoku 170mm

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Gyuto 195mm Black Chacate

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Gyuto 195mm Black Chacate

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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Gyuto 210mm

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    Hado Ouru SLD Nashiji K-tip Gyuto 200mm
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    Hado Ouru SLD Nashiji Ko-Bunka 135mm
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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Gyuto 210mm Black Chacate

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi Special SLD Kurouchi Damascus K tip Gyuto 240mm Polished
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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Nakiri 165mm Black Chacate

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    Tsunehisa SLD Washiji Gyuto 210mm Burnt Kashi
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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Santoku 170mm
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    Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Gyuto 195mm Black Chacate
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Tsuchime Damascus Petty 150mm with Saya
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Tsuchime Damascus K tip Gyuto 240mm with Saya
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi Special SLD K-tip Gyuto 210mm Kurouchi Damascus Birch Handle

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Tsuchime Damascus Gyuto 240mm with Saya
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Tsuchime Damascus Bunka 180mm Birch Handle
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Tsuchime Damascus Bunka 180mm Birch Handle

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Tsuchime Damascus Santoku 180mm with Saya
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi Special SLD Kurouchi Damascus Gyuto 240mm Birch Handle

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Sujihiki 270mm Birch Handle
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Sujihiki 270mm Birch Handle

    $14,999.00
    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Sujihiki 240mm Birch Handle
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi Special SLD Kurouchi Damascus Santoku

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi Special SLD Kurouchi Damascus Santoku

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Santoku 180mm Birch Handle

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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Santoku 180mm Birch Handle

    $12,691.00
    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Bunka 180mm Birch Handle
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Bunka 180mm Birch Handle

    $13,153.00
    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus K-tip Gyuto 240mm Birch Handle
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus K-tip Gyuto 210mm Birch Handle
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus K-tip Gyuto 210mm Birch Handle

    $14,306.00
    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Gyuto 240mm Birch Handle
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    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Gyuto 240mm Birch Handle

    $14,537.00
    Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus Gyuto 210mm Birch Handle
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    Unit 2, 2 Bishop St
    St Peters, NSW 2044
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    Kakumei
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