VG-1 (steel)

VG-1 (also known as V Gold 1 steel) is a high Carbon (C) Molybdenum (Mo) stainless steel manufactured by Takefu Special Steel Co.,Ltd.[1] It is not the same steel as VG-10.

VG-1 has a Carbon (C) content between 0.95-1.05, Chromium (Cr) content between 13.0-15.0, Molybdenum (Mo) content between 0.2-0.4 and contains less than 0.25 of Nickel (Ni).[2] During forging, Mo and Cr forms hard double carbide bonds which help improve the abrasion and corrosion resistance of the steel. [3] It is usually heat treated to reach hardness of 58-61[4]

Knife retailer Cold Steel markets a variety of knives that use VG-1.[5] Cold Steel claims that VG-1 has better sharpness, edge retention, point strength, shock, and strength characteristics than 440C, VG-10, and ATS 34 stainless steels.[6] On the other hand, there have been reports that VG-1 might be more chip prone than other comparable stainless steels, but these reports have been disputed.[7]

VG-1 is also used in hairdresser's scissors, kitchen knives, and blades for food-processing machines[8].

References

  1. ^ http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_vg1.htm
  2. ^ http://faq.customtacticals.com/steels/stainless_vg1.php
  3. ^ Id.
  4. ^ http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_original_list.htm
  5. ^ http://faq.customtacticals.com/steels/stainless_vg1.php
  6. ^ http://www.coldsteel.com/faqs.html#VG1%20stainless
  7. ^ http://coldsteelforums.com/m41384-print.aspx
  8. ^ http://www.e-tokko.com/eng_vg1.htm