Shirogami #2: White paper steel is one of the purest carbon steels. Shirogami is made from iron sand (Japanese: satetsu), which is also mined in Japan. This material has been used for centuries to make sword blades.
Shirogami is more difficult to work with than Aogami or other carbon steels. The blacksmith only has a very small temperature window for hardening. Therefore, experienced and skilled hands are needed to forge the steel without making any mistakes. Steel that cools too quickly will cause cracks in the blade.
This makes resharpening relatively easy and effective.
Shirogami comes in 3 quality levels: 1, 2 and 3, with 1 being the highest quality.
Sakai Kikumori Shironiko Shirogami #2 Yanagiba 270mm: Single-edged Shirogami #2 core with Migaki finish and handmade Kasumi. The handle is D-shaped made of magnolia wood with a water buffalo ferrule.
Sakai Hand-forged knife in the usual excellent Sakai-Shirogami quality. The Shironiko series is not made by a specific blacksmith, but rather by a collective of craftsmen. Sakai is known above all for its Shirogami. The special heat treatment guarantees easy sharpening and a long edge. The knife has beautiful details such as the polished throat and a handmade Kasumi.
This knife has a hard carbon steel core with an iron coating for added durability. The entire blade will develop a patina over time, especially This is increased with acidic foods. Special attention is required to prevent rusting. I ask the care tips in my FAQ section. Here you will also find the general knife 1x1 .
Founded in 1926, Sakai Kikumori draws on the 600-year history of Sakai, the most important center of traditional Japanese blade making. They work with a variety of the best blacksmiths, sharpeners and small factories in Sakai to offer a wide range of knives, from traditional to modern.
Yanagiba: Fish knife/slicer , more information about the most common knife shapes can be found here: knife shapes .
- HRC: 61-63
- Steel: Shirogami #2 (White Carbon)
- Blade length: 270mm
- Heel height: approx. 33mm
- Thickness of blade back above heel: 4.15mm
- Weight: approx. 190g
- Form: Yanagiba
- Finish: Migaki
- Blade type: Single-sided ground
- Handle material: Magnolia, water buffalo horn
- Blacksmith: Sakai Kikumori
- Origin: Sakai, Japan
Size and weight can always vary for a handmade product. These figures were taken from a knife in my range.