Shirogami #2 vs VG10 白紙2号 / V金10号
Short answer
White #2 is the easiest steel to sharpen and takes the keenest edge, but rusts quickly. VG10 is stainless, holds an edge a little longer in home use, and needs far less care.
| Shirogami #2 | VG10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (typical HRC) | 60–63 | 60–62 |
| Type | carbon | stainless |
| Easy to sharpen | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Edge retention | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Rust resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Chip resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Mark on the blade | 白二 / 白紙 / 白鋼 / 白紙2号 | 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.
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
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.