Aogami #1 vs Aogami #2 青紙1号 / 青紙2号
Short answer
Blue #1 has more carbon than Blue #2: harder and longer edge life, slightly more brittle. Blue #2 is the more common, more forgiving version.
| Aogami #1 | Aogami #2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (typical HRC) | 62–65 | 62–64 |
| Type | carbon | carbon |
| Easy to sharpen | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Edge retention | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Rust resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Chip resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Mark on the blade | 青一 / 青紙1号 | 青二 / 青紙 / 青鋼 |
| Whetstone | 1000 → 3000–6000 | 1000 → 3000–6000 |
Scores are relative, 1–5, for kitchen-knife use — our summary of maker data and common experience, not lab tests. Heat treatment and grind can move a knife a full point either way.
Aogami #1 青紙1号
Blue #2 with more carbon and tungsten: the hardest of the classic Yasuki carbon steels apart from Super; edge lasts long, chips if abused.
Who uses it: Baba Hamono (Sakai)
Sanjo examples with prices:
No Sanjo price rows yet.
Aogami #2 青紙2号
White #2 plus chromium and tungsten: better wear resistance, a touch harder to sharpen.
Who uses it: Babacho Co., Hinoura Hamono Kobo, Kiryu Kogyo, Nakagawa Shokai, Tadafusa, Tsurugi Kenshin, Anryu Katsushige (Echizen (Takefu)), Fujiwara Kanefusa (Seki), Hatsukokoro (Hyogo (brand)), Hitohira (Tokyo)
Sanjo examples with prices:
- Tadafusa — 庖丁工房タダフサ 青紙鋼 洋包丁三徳 170 · ¥14,300
- Nakagawa Shokai — 定明 青紙 鮭切 210 · ¥34,750
- Nakagawa Shokai — 定明 青紙 鮭切 240 · ¥39,300
- Nakagawa Shokai — 定明 青紙 鮭切 270 · ¥45,900
- Nakagawa Shokai — 定明 青鋼 蛸引 300 · ¥59,900
Care
Rinse and wipe dry immediately after each use — never leave it wet or in the sink.