VG-10
VG-10 stands for V Gold 10 ("gold" meaning quality), or sometimes V-Kin-10 (V金10号) (kin means "gold" in Japanese), and is a cutlery grade stainless steel produced in Japan.
Composition
The VG-10 is a stainless steel with a high carbon content. Its composition contains 1% Carbon, 15% Chromium, 1% Molybdenum, 0.2% Vanadium, 1.5% Cobalt, and 0.5% Manganese. VG-10 should not be confused with VG-1 stainless steel.
The VG-10 stainless steel was originally designed by Takefu Special Steel Co. Ltd., based in Takefu, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (former cutlery/sword-making center of Echizen). Takefu also made another version: VG10W, which contains 0.4 % tungsten (chem. Symbol = W). VG-10 was originally was aimed at Japanese chefs, but also found its way into sports cutlery. However, Spyderco has also produced some of its most popular models from VG-10, resulting in a larger market for this steel. Almost all VG-10 steel knife blades are manufactured in Japan.
Applications
- VG-10 is used in many machine-made damascus knives such as those manufactured by KAI Shun, Dalstrong, Sumikama Kasumi, Tojiro, or CHROMA Cnife HAIKU Damascus or the Edge of Belgravia Damascus series. Most Hattori- and Hiro brand knives use this steel as well.
- Many high end hair cutting shears from different companies are made of VG-10
- Kanetsune-Seki uses VG-10 in some of their high class chef's knives.
- Japanese kitchen cutlery from Spyderco and KAI/Kershaw/Shun utilize VG-10 in their upscale offerings.
- SOG utilizes VG-10 for their higher end folding knives.
- Richardson Sheffield (Amefa) Midori range use VG-10 damascus steel.[1]
- Fällkniven use laminated VG-10 in their knives (except the top class).
- Cutlery Shoppe's Robert Terzuola-designed Gryphon M-10 is made with VG-10 steel.
- Dalstrong uses VG-10 in their premium performance Shogun Series S-Line knives.
References
- ↑ "Inspired ideas for cooking and dining". Amefa. Retrieved 2012-09-14.