Blue Steel #2 (Aogami #2)
Blue Steel #2 (Aogami #2) – Japanese steel with improved durability
Chemical composition and characteristics
Blue Steel #2 is a high-carbon steel with alloying elements, based on the basic Shirogami (White Steel #2), but with the following additional elements:
Chromium (Cr) – increases corrosion and wear resistance
Tungsten (W) – contributes to hardness and blade stability
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Typical composition:
Carbon (C): ~1.1%
Tungsten (W): ~1.0–1.5%
Chromium (Cr): ~0.5%
Manganese (Mn), silicon (Si): small amounts
Properties
Excellent edge retention – thanks to alloying elements, the blade stays sharper for longer than White Steel.
Higher wear resistance – ideal for intensive kitchen use.
Easy to sharpen – despite the added elements, it retains good sharpenability.
Better stability in heavy use – less brittle than Shirogami.
Disadvantages and maintenance
Still not stainless – although more resistant than White Steel, it can still corrode, especially the cutting core.
Needs care – wash thoroughly after use, dry and treat with oil.
Use
Premium kitchen knives for professionals and demanding home cooks
Knives designed for long cuts, fine slicing and more demanding work
Aogami #2 is a great compromise between traditional purity and modern durability. It offers the same excellent sharpness as Shirogami, but with longer durability and higher wear resistance. The ideal choice for those who want performance and stability without compromise.
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The name "Blue Steel" (Aogami) – meaning "blue steel" – comes, as does "White Steel" (Shirogami), from the traditional Japanese packaging system used by Hitachi Metals.
Why "blue"?
Aogami steel was wrapped in blue paper when shipped from the steelworks (unlike white steel, which was wrapped in white paper).
This blue paper indicated that it was not pure carbon steel, but an improved version – White Steel enriched with alloying elements such as chromium and tungsten.
The name therefore has nothing to do with the color of the steel itself, but exclusively with the color of the original packaging and the type of steel inside.
What does "Aogami" mean?
青紙鋼 (Aogami-kō) literally means "blue paper steel":
青 (ao) = blue
紙 (gami/kami) = paper
鋼 (kō) = steel
The Blue Steel (Aogami) designation means:
Higher alloy grade than Shirogami (White Steel)
Wrapped in blue paper – a historical metallurgical standard
Combines the performance of traditional materials with modern improvements for greater durability and edge retention