Steel is a compound of iron and carbon. To be classified as high-carbon steel, it needs to have anywhere from 0.6% to 1.7% carbon by weight. For premium cutlery and knives, the higher carbon content is typically better. For one, higher carbon allows for a sharper cutting edge. To be considered stainless steel, the steel must have a chromium content of more than 12%. While all steel contains carbon, typically steels that do not contain chromium are referred to as carbon steels. The differences between high carbon steel can be subtle, but they all work to create a specific knife experience. Below we explain the differences between white steel, blue steel, as well as the different types of each.
White High-Carbon Steel #1 & #2
White steel is made from finely grained carbon steel that lacks a lot of contaminates within the iron, meaning that knives made from white, high-carbon steel are able to sharpen into a razor-like edge. Many sashimi chefs love white steel knives because they can create very fine, exact cuts of fish, vegetables, and garnish. Very volatile and difficult to forge, white steel varies in its level on carbon content. #1 has the highest and will, therefore, hold its cutting edge the best. However, it’s also the most brittle, which is typically why #2 is the most commonly used by chefs.
Blue High-Carbon Steel #1 & #2, and Super Blue High-Carbon
As stated above, steel consists of iron and carbon but different alloys can be added to create different types of steel. For example, stainless steel is created from added chromium. Blue steel has tungsten and chromium added to the iron and carbon to create an easier tempering process and also a knife that holds its edge longer than a white steel knife, however while not taking on such a fine cutting edge. Just like white steel #1 and white steel #2, blue, high-carbon steel #1 has more carbon content than its #2 companion and super blue high-carbon steel has added vanadium for wear resistance and has the longest edge life of the blue steels.
FAQs
Just like white steel #1 and white steel #2, blue, high-carbon steel #1 has more carbon content than its #2 companion and super blue high-carbon steel has added vanadium for wear resistance and has the longest edge life of the blue steels.
What is the difference between white steel and blue steel? ›
Generally speaking, the differences between Aogami (Blue Steel) and Shirogami (White Steel) are that it is harder to break, and the sharpness lasts longer. Additionally, it is said that Shirogami or White Steel is easier to sharpen compared to Aogami or Blue Steel due to the addition of the tungsten.
What is super blue steel? ›
Japanese steels are commonly known by the colour that the label wrapped around the steel happens to be (white, blue, super blue). In this case it's super blue steel, also known as Aogami Super Blue. This is considered to be just about the best mix found for a high carbon steel for knife making.
What is the difference between blue super and blue 2 steel? ›
Blue Steel and Aogami Super Kitchen Knife Blades
Moving on to blue steels, Blue #2 is a bit tougher, meaning it is less prone to edge damage and known for superior edge retention. Aogami Super is a high-performance Blue Steel, that is a bit more stain resistant and offers the best edge retention of the group.
What is the difference between blue super and blue 1? ›
Blue #1 is the purest of the 3, and will take the keenest edges, while blue super is much more rich in chemical composition and includes vanadium & molybdenum for strength and edge retention.
What is the difference between blue steel and high carbon steel? ›
Both Carbon Steel and Blue Carbon Steel will yield perfect sears and can withstand high heat. However, Carbon Steel is considered “Blue” if it has undergone the annealing process. As a result, Blue Carbon Steel is slightly more corrosion resistant than general Carbon Steel.
What is blue steel vs carbon steel? ›
The Blue Carbon Steel pans are made with thinner iron than the Mineral B and Mineral B PRO. This results in the Blue Carbon Steel pans being much more lightweight than traditional carbon steel. These pans have undergone a heat treatment that results in its “blue” color.
What is white carbon steel? ›
Despite the name, white steel isn't actually white, it is named after the paper that it comes wrapped in at the factory. White steel is made from a very fine grained high purity carbon steel and is graded 1, 2 and 3 in relation to carbon content (1 has the highest).
What is the hardness of super blue steel? ›
Aogami Super, also known as Super Blue, is the most rigid type of Aogami steel. It contains 1.45% carbon and rates 65–67 HRC on the Rockwell hardness scale. Additionally, it contains vanadium, which gives it superior wear resistance and the ability to hold an edge for extended periods.
Is blued steel strong? ›
All blued parts still require oiling to prevent rust. Bluing, being a chemical conversion coating, is not as robust against wear and corrosion resistance as plated coatings, and is typically no thicker than 2.5 micrometres (0.0001 inches).
The positives of using blue steel over stainless steel and carbon steel are that it provides the best of both worlds. Blue steel is more flexible than stainless steel allowing professionals to have a nuance to their profession. Blue steel is also more rust-resistant than carbon steel.
What is blue steel good for? ›
Blue steel has tungsten and chromium added to the iron and carbon to create an easier tempering process and also a knife that holds its edge longer than a white steel knife, however while not taking on such a fine cutting edge.
What is the difference between Blue Steel 1 and 2? ›
Blue Steel No. 1 is very similar to Blue Steel No. 2, but the additional Carbon and Tungsten result in even better wear resistance / edge retention and toughness.
What is the difference between blue 1 and 2? ›
Blue No. 1 is called "brilliant blue" and, as is typical of modern dyes, was originally derived from coal tar, although most manufacturers now make it from an oil base. Blue No. 2, or "indigotine," on the other hand, is a synthetic version of the plant-based indigo that has a long history as a textile dye.
What is blue steel used for? ›
Blue steel has tungsten and chromium added to the iron and carbon to create an easier tempering process and also a knife that holds its edge longer than a white steel knife, however while not taking on such a fine cutting edge.
What are the benefits of white steel? ›
White steel, also known as Shirogami, is a type of carbon steel from Japan manufactured by Hitachi Metals and known for its purity and high carbon content. This steel is easy to sharpen and can achieve a mirror-like edge finish.
Which type of steel is better? ›
Compared to low-carbon steel, stainless steel offers a massive upgrade in strength, hardness, and most importantly corrosion resistance. High carbon steel offers strength rivaling and sometimes exceeding stainless steel, but is largely a niche material in the manufacturing world.
