SK carbon steel vs Shirogami #2 SK鋼 / 白紙2号
Short answer
SK is the general Japanese carbon tool steel; White #2 is the purer Yasuki version. White #2 takes a finer edge and holds it a little longer; SK is cheaper and slightly tougher. Both rust.
| SK carbon steel | Shirogami #2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (typical HRC) | 58–61 | 60–63 |
| Type | carbon | carbon |
| Easy to sharpen | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Edge retention | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Rust resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Chip resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Mark on the blade | SK / 炭素鋼 | 白二 / 白紙 / 白鋼 / 白紙2号 |
| Whetstone | 1000 → 3000 | 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.
SK carbon steel SK鋼
JIS general carbon tool steel. Cheaper than Yasuki paper steels; Kenshin lists it alongside White steel.
Who uses it: Tsurugi Kenshin, Sugimoto (Tokyo)
Sanjo examples with prices:
No Sanjo price rows yet.
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.