• White Steel #2

  • White Steel #2 is the most widely used steel material for knives among chefs specializing in Japanese cuisine. Here are some reasons why it is recommended for beginners:

  • Widely Used:

    White Steel #2 is the most commonly used steel material in Japanese knives. This widespread adoption indicates that craftsmen are very familiar with this material. It is also the first material that novice blacksmiths learn to work with and sharpen.

  • Ease of Sharpening:

    White Steel #2 is easy to sharpen and relatively simple to maintain. It is convenient for users because regular sharpening is straightforward, helping to maintain sharpness over time.

  • Cost-Effectiveness:

    While White Steel #2 is an affordable option, it offers excellent value for performance. It maintains sharpness over a long period and provides great cost performance, making it suitable for beginners.

  • Overall, White Steel #2 offers a good balance of durability, ease of use, and cost, making it a highly recommended steel for both beginners and experienced chefs.

White Steel #2: A Trustworthy Material Woven with Tradition and Proven Excellence

  • White Steel #2 is the most beloved steel material among chefs, widely regarded as the standard in the world of Japanese knives. This is not just due to its popularity, but because of the long history during which artisans have perfected its use, earning the trust of countless chefs along the way.

  • For us blacksmiths, White Steel #2 holds a special place. It’s a high-purity steel that is not only easy to handle but also suitable for everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals. The "ease of sharpening" is a noteworthy feature — the way the blade glides on the sharpening stone feels truly satisfying, and once you experience it, it’s hard to forget.

  • Moreover, White Steel #2 allows an artisan's skills to shine. In every step — from forging to hardening to edge-shaping — its true potential is realized, resulting in a blade that feels like an extension of the chef’s own hand in the kitchen. The balance between hardness and flexibility is perfect, giving the blade sharpness and longevity that chefs rely on in their daily work.

  • But the charm of White Steel #2 goes beyond that. Its purity eliminates unnecessary elements, allowing the material's inherent strength to shine through. This "purity" breathes life into the knife, empowering chefs to perform at their best.

  • It is a great source of pride for us artisans that the White Steel #2 knives we craft help chefs bring their culinary creations to life, infusing every dish with passion. This is the heart of what we do.

White Steel #2 Japanese Knife Collection

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • All Japanese Knives from Sakai City

    1. Exceptional Japanese Knives

    Our knives, crafted by Sakai City's master artisans, combine traditional techniques with carefully selected materials, delivering unrivaled sharpness and durability.

  • Honbazuke

    2. Genuine Sharpness

    We offer free Honbazuke sharpening performed by skilled craftsmen, ensuring that you experience the authentic sharpness of a true Sakai knife.

  • 3. Lifetime Knife Use

    Each knife comes with a free Saya (protective sheath) for added durability. We also offer after-sales service through a trusted Sakai City workshop to maintain your knife's performance.

  • White Steel #2: The Standard in Japanese Knives

  • In the world of traditional Japanese knife-making, there's one material that stands out as indispensable: White Steel #2 (Shirogami #2). Let's explore why this steel is beloved by professional chefs and craftsmen alike.

What is White Steel #2?

White Steel #2 is the purest of all blade materials. With few impurities, it is a material that has the basic requirements for making a good knife.
If a skilled craftsman can properly forge and heat treat it, it will make a knife that is sharp and easy to sharpen.

White Steel #2 vs Blue Steel #2

Features of White Steel #2

  • White Steel#2

    Sufficiently Sharp Edge

    White Steel #2 is a material with a high carbon content, making it extremely hard. When sharpened, it exhibits a sharp edge.

  • Sharpening a knife

    Not Highly Difficult to Sharpen

    White Steel #2 is not as hard as blue steel, so it is not highly difficult to sharpen. It can be considered relatively easy to handle even for beginners.

  • White-Steel-2-Yanagiba-300mm-Mirror-Polished-one-side

    Good Cost Performance

    White Steel #2 is not as expensive as the top-grade White Steel #1, making it a good choice in terms of cost performance.

  • Recommended Users for White Steel #2

  • 1. Those Eager to Learn Japanese Knife Basics

    • Individuals wanting to master traditional Japanese knife handling
    • Those looking to develop knife maintenance skills

  • 2. Those Eager to Learn Japanese Knife Basics

    • Individuals wanting to master traditional Japanese knife handling
    • Those looking to develop knife maintenance skills

  • 3. Users Who Value Balance Between Sharpness and Maintenance

    • Those seeking a combination of cutting performance and manageable upkeep
    • Beginners ready for their first serious Japanese knife

  • White Steel #2 represents a cornerstone in the world of Japanese knives. While it requires care, the reward is an exceptional cutting experience that elevates the joy of using a knife to a new level.

  • After mastering a White Steel #2 knife, some users might explore stainless or other materials. However, many chefs return to White Steel #2 for its pure characteristics and reliability. As the saying goes in Japanese workshops, "White Steel #2 is where both beginners start and masters return."

FAQ About White Steel #2

Knife_forging_process

What are the characteristics of White Steel #2?

White Steel #2 is a representative high-grade steel commonly used in Japanese kitchen knives. While it requires skill to work with and is often handled by seasoned craftsmen, it offers exceptional sharpness and a moderate level of resilience, ensuring prolonged sharpness. Additionally, it is easy to sharpen, allowing craftsmen to create high-quality knives with ease.

Which is easier to sharpen, White Steel or Blue Steel?

White Steel is easier to sharpen, requiring less time for each sharpening session and maintaining optimal sharpness more easily after each sharpening. On the other hand, Blue Steel, while offering better edge retention, contains elements that contribute to prolonged sharpness, making it more challenging to sharpen.

japanese_knife_made_in_Sakai

Japanese Knife Materials

In the realm of Japanese knives, the choice of material plays a crucial role in performance and maintenance. This guide delves into the nuances of carbon and stainless steel, including popular variants like White Steel #2 and Blue Steel #2, and newer innovations like ZDP189 and Ginsan.

Japanese Knife Materials

The Origin of Craftsmanship

  • White Steel #2: The Foundation of Japanese Knives and the Pride of Artisans

    White Steel #2 is truly the "foundation" of Japanese knives. It is the material where many artisans hone their skills and refine their craft. With its pure composition, it delivers an unparalleled combination of sharpness and ease of sharpening, making it approachable for beginners while still satisfying the demands of professional chefs.

  • Often chosen as the "first knife" for many, White Steel #2’s appeal lies in more than just its usability. This steel holds the "potential" to grow alongside its user, adapting and excelling as their skills improve. A single knife forged from White Steel #2 has the promise of becoming a lifelong companion—reliable, responsive, and endlessly rewarding.

  • Each time you hold a knife crafted from this material, you’ll feel the warmth of artisan craftsmanship and witness the blade’s beauty as it matures with use. It’s a connection that turns a simple tool into an enduring relationship.

  • White Steel #2: Unparalleled Purity that Unlocks a Knife’s True Potential

    White Steel #2 is the very embodiment of purity. With no unnecessary elements in its composition, it offers an exceptional balance of ease of sharpening and the ability to maintain an incredibly sharp edge over time. These qualities make it equally appealing to seasoned artisans and those handling a Japanese knife for the first time.

  • Its simple elegance reflects the essence of what a knife should be. Not complexity, but purity is where the true beauty of Japanese swords and traditional knives resides.

  • Every time you sharpen it, you’ll feel the blade come alive, revealing its full potential. The more care you invest, the more this steel forges a profound bond between the user and the knife.

  • When you experience the pure and unadorned beauty of White Steel #2, you’ll realize that a knife is more than just a tool—it’s a companion that elevates your everyday cooking into something extraordinary

  • White Steel #2: A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship—Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Own It

    White Steel #2 is the culmination of generations of craftsmanship, embodying the expertise and dedication of skilled artisans. Its purity and ease of sharpening have made it a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike. The razor-sharp edge it offers and its ability to be revitalized through sharpening make it a truly exceptional material.

  • However, with changes in production and market conditions, White Steel #2 may become increasingly rare in the future. This makes now the perfect time to experience its unmatched quality and craftsmanship.

  • A knife is more than just a tool—it is a testament to skill and tradition. Owning a White Steel #2 knife allows you to appreciate its unique value in your daily cooking and sharpening rituals. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this remarkable piece of heritage for yourself.

    Yasuki Steel 
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

  • Beware of Inexpensive Knives

    Inexpensive knives are often made with cost-cutting measures during production. Specifically, important elements such as sharpness, balance, and maintainability—key factors that directly affect quality—are not given sufficient investment. These aspects are often difficult to notice at first glance, but they can significantly impact the performance of the knife.

  • At KIREAJI, we offer authentic Japanese knives crafted by trusted artisans from Sakai City. Every knife is carefully handcrafted with a focus on sharpness, balance, and maintainability, ensuring you receive a high-quality product that provides long-lasting reliability and peace of mind.