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.
Yosimitu Kajiya was founded in 1937 in the city of Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture. Junichi Ide, now the third generation to run the business, is a traditional village blacksmith. His main focus is supplying the local forestry and fishing industries, specializing in the manufacture of knives and tools of all kinds.
His workshop is a two-person operation: his wife in the office and he at the forge.
- HRC: 62-63
- Steel: Shirogami #2 (White Carbon)
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Length: approx. 200mm
- Thickness of blade back above heel: approx. 2.6mm
- Heel height: approx. 45mm
- Weight: approx. 128g
- Form: Kiritsuke
- Blade type: 50/50
- Finish: Kurochi
- Handle material: poplar
- Blacksmith: Yosimitu Kajiya
- Origin: Shimbara, Nagasaki (Japan)
The weight and length information are the dimensions of a randomly selected knife from this series. However, these may vary as each knife is a handmade product.
This knife has a hard carbon steel core with an iron coating for added durability. The entire blade will develop a patina over time, particularly when used with acidic foods. Special attention is required to prevent rusting.
I request the care tips in my FAQ section. Here you will also find the general knife 1x1 .