Super Steel: The Japanese Craftsmanship That Captivates Professional Chefs

  • March 15, 2025

  • In the world of traditional Japanese knives, steels like Ginsan and ZDP189 are widely known, but recently, the steel that has captured the attention of professional chefs worldwide is "Super Steel", proudly developed by Shiroyama Hamono Manufacturing.

  • This special semi-stainless steel contains rich amounts of molybdenum, chromium, and tungsten, offering high corrosion resistance, outstanding durability, and an excellent balance between sharpness retention and ease of sharpening. But the true allure of Super Steel lies not just in its technical properties—it is a fusion of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

  • Craftsmanship in Every Step of Production

  • The unique qualities of Super Steel are unlocked through a meticulous production process. Two innovative techniques, vacuum heat treatment and sub-zero treatment, set this steel apart from any other.

  • Vacuum Heat Treatment:

    By heating and rapidly cooling in a vacuum environment, this process prevents oxidation and results in uniform hardness and strength, ensuring that the knife maintains consistent sharpness over time and retains its form, no matter how long it's used.

  • Sub-Zero Treatment:

    This treatment involves cooling the steel to sub-zero temperatures after heat treatment, enhancing hardness and improving dimensional stability. The result is a knife that performs excellently even under the most demanding conditions, meeting the exacting standards of professional chefs.

  • Performance That Professional Chefs Swear By

  • Knives made from Super Steel have earned high praise from chefs worldwide due to their exceptional sharpness and durability.

  • Incredible sharpness and longevity:

    Achieving an impressive HRC 62±1 hardness, these knives retain their sharpness for an extended period, allowing for easy sharpening and use over the long term.

  • Outstanding corrosion resistance:

    Super Steel is resistant to rust, making maintenance simple and ensuring the knife stays clean and hygienic even in the busiest kitchens.

  • Consistent quality:

    By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, Super Steel offers consistent high quality and reliability, making it a trusted tool in the hands of professional chefs.

  • A True Masterpiece of Japanese Tradition and Innovation

  • Super Steel is a perfect blend of Japan’s traditional blade-making techniques and the most advanced technologies. It represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship—a tool that not only performs exceptionally but also inspires creativity and passion in chefs around the globe.

  • This knife is more than just a tool—it is a partner in the kitchen, an extension of the chef’s spirit. Each cut carries forward Japan’s legacy of craftsmanship, uniting past and present in every slice.

    As Japan’s knife culture evolves to new heights, Super Steel leads the way, embodying both tradition and innovation. Beloved by chefs worldwide, it will continue to inspire, support, and elevate the art of cooking for generations to come.

Super Steel Honyaki: Precision Engineering for the Modern Master

  • Super Steel Honyaki represents a rare fusion of traditional single-steel forging and cutting-edge metallurgical science.
    Through advanced vacuum heating and controlled sub-zero treatment, the blade achieves HRC62±1 hardness, delivering long-lasting sharpness, superior wear resistance, and reduced maintenance compared to classic carbon-steel honyaki.

    Designed for those who demand more than a tool, this steel rewards skilled professionals, passionate home cooks, and culinary artists who value authenticity, precision, and modern durability in equal measure.

Super Steel

  • Meet Super Steel — where tradition meets the future of Japanese knives.

    Forged in Sakai, Japan, by master artisans who inherit centuries of sword-making spirit, and elevated with cutting-edge heat treatment and material science, this semi-stainless Honyaki blade delivers extraordinary durability, effortless maintenance, and a razor-sharp edge trusted by top chefs worldwide.
    It’s more than a knife — it’s the next chapter in Japanese craftsmanship.

Super Steel (Honyaki)

A sword in the kitchen.
Forged from a single piece of steel and meticulously heat-treated, Honyaki represents the pinnacle of Japanese bladesmithing. Each blade embodies unrivaled sharpness, elegance, and the spirit of the artisan’s craft.

Super Steel (Honyaki)

Japanese Knife Materials

The steel behind a Japanese knife defines its sharpness, durability, and care. From traditional carbon steels like White #2 and Blue #2 to modern innovations such as Ginsan and ZDP189, each material offers its own balance of performance and maintenance. This guide explores how these choices shape the knives we use today.

Japanese Knife Materials

The Soul of Craftsmanship

  • A Craftsman’s Words: Reflecting on the Essence of Traditional Craftsmanship

  • The passion we pour into our work breathes life into every step of the process. For us as craftsmen, no matter how steep the road ahead, we hold fast to the belief: “Somehow, it will work out.”


    This phrase is not mere optimism. It carries the quiet confidence born from years of experience and faith in our craft. No matter how demanding the task, when we devote ourselves with dedication and persistence, results will surely follow.


    This is the strength of tradition—the resilience and conviction refined through generations. It is the lesson we have inherited, and the spirit we continue to pass on through every blade we create.

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • japanese_knife_made_in_Sakai

    1. Forged in the Legacy of Sakai

    From Sakai City—Japan’s renowned birthplace of professional kitchen knives—each blade is crafted by master artisans with over six centuries of tradition. Perfectly balanced, enduringly sharp, and exquisitely finished, every cut carries the soul of true craftsmanship.

  • 2. Thoughtful Care for Everyday Use

    Every knife includes a hand-fitted magnolia saya for safe storage. Upon request, we offer a complimentary Honbazuke final hand sharpening—giving you a precise, ready-to-use edge from day one.

  • 3. A Partnership for a Lifetime

    A KIREAJI knife is more than a tool—it is a lifelong companion. With our bespoke paid aftercare services, we preserve its edge and beauty, ensuring it remains as precise and dependable as the day it first met your hand.