Aogami #2 vs VG10 青紙2号 / V金10号
Short answer
Blue #2 is a carbon steel, usually hardened a little higher than VG10: a keener feel, easier sharpening and similar or longer edge life — but it rusts and develops a patina. VG10 is stainless and low-maintenance.
| Aogami #2 | VG10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (typical HRC) | 62–64 | 60–62 |
| Type | carbon | stainless |
| Easy to sharpen | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Edge retention | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Rust resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Chip resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Mark on the blade | 青二 / 青紙 / 青鋼 | VG10 / V金10号 / V10 |
| Whetstone | 1000 → 3000–6000 | 1000 → 3000 |
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
VG10 V金10号
Takefu Special Steel's stainless with cobalt. The default steel of Tojiro's DP/PRO lines; also in damascus lines.
Who uses it: Kiryu Kogyo, Nakagawa Shokai, Shimomura Kogyo, Tojiro, Tsurugi Kenshin, Yajimaya, Baba Hamono (Sakai), Fujiwara Kanefusa (Seki), Hatsukokoro (Hyogo (brand)), Kai Corporation (Seki)
Sanjo examples with prices:
Care
Rinse and wipe dry immediately after each use — never leave it wet or in the sink.
Wipe dry after use. Dishwasher still not recommended — the heat and detergent dull the edge and loosen handles.