Aogami #2 vs Shirogami #2 青紙2号 / 白紙2号
Short answer
Blue #2 is White #2 plus chromium and tungsten: it keeps its edge noticeably longer and is a little harder to sharpen. White #2 takes a slightly keener edge, sharpens faster and is more forgiving on the stone. Both rust; care is identical.
| Aogami #2 | Shirogami #2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (typical HRC) | 62–64 | 60–63 |
| Type | carbon | carbon |
| Easy to sharpen | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Edge retention | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Rust resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Chip resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Mark on the blade | 青二 / 青紙 / 青鋼 | 白二 / 白紙 / 白鋼 / 白紙2号 |
| 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 #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
Shirogami #2 白紙2号
Hitachi/Proterial Yasuki carbon steel. Easiest to sharpen, takes the finest edge, rusts fast.
Who uses it: Babacho Co., Babacho Kanamono, Hinoura Hamono Kobo, Shigefusa, Tadafusa, Tojiro, Tsurugi Kenshin, Wakui Bar Hamono, Wakui Co., Yoshikane Hamono
Sanjo examples with prices:
- Tadafusa — 庖丁工房タダフサ 黒打 最高級白鋼 鍛冶鍛造 210 · ¥23,100
- Babacho Co. — 切れるよろこび 白紙 柳刃 270 (片刃) · ¥27,450
- Babacho Co. — 切れるよろこび 白紙 出刃 (片刃) · ¥28,050
- Wakui Co. — 金次郎 槌目 水牛栗柄 ペティ 135 · ¥45,760
- Wakui Co. — 金次郎 槌目 水牛栗柄 三徳 165 · ¥47,840
Care
Rinse and wipe dry immediately after each use — never leave it wet or in the sink.