Stainless Steel

Dive into the world of stainless steel with KIREAJI, where innovation meets tradition in Japanese knives, offering chefs rust resistance without compromising on sharpness.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is resistant to rust if it contains more than a certain amount of the element chromium. Rust is a phenomenon caused when substances in steel combine with oxygen in the air, and chromium combines with oxygen faster than other elements, forming a thin film on the surface of the knife. This film prevents the rust from penetrating to the inside. This resistance can also be translated as resistance to damage or ease of maintenance. In this regard, stainless steel is in great demand, and a wide variety of types are available, offering a wide range of choices.

On the other hand, it has long been said that stainless steel is less sharp than carbon steel (knives that rust). This may be due in part to the fact that stainless steel knives with lower carbon content and lower hardness were available on the market for fear of rusting, a remnant that lasted until about 1955. However, improvements have been made and stainless steel knives that are both rust-resistant and hard are now available on the market.

Element

Carbon(C)

Carbon (C) is an essential element for steel, and it is a key element in creating various compounds and elements. It is a representative element for increasing hardness and strength.

Chromium(Cr)

Chromium (Cr) improves hardenability. Stainless steel contains 10.5% or more of Cr.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum is used to make V1 to V10. (It is originally contained in V1 as well.) Adding a small amount makes it more tenacious. It also increases strength and hardness. Molybdenum steel is often referred to as molybdenum steel, but molybdenum steel is a general term for steel materials that contain molybdenum. It is not the name of a specific steel material, such as white steel, but a steel material that contains molybdenum is widely referred to as "molybdenum steel.

ZDP189

Hitachi Metals' strongest powder steel boasts a hardness of 67 or higher, the highest of any known steel for cutting tools, and the ultimate combination of hardness, toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, due to its extreme hardness, it is difficult to sharpen with regular sharpening stones and is quite expensive.

Ginsan

Molybdenum is used to make V1 to V10. (It is originally contained in V1 as well.) Adding a small amount makes it more tenacious. It also increases strength and hardness. Molybdenum steel is often referred to as molybdenum steel, but molybdenum steel is a general term for steel materials that contain molybdenum. It is not the name of a specific steel material, such as white steel, but a steel material that contains molybdenum is widely referred to as "molybdenum steel.

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Understanding Stainless Steel: The Rust-Resistant Alloy

Stainless steel, enriched with elements like chromium, nickel, and vanadium, is celebrated for its corrosion resistance, a breakthrough in metallurgy achieved in 1913 by Harry Brearley. This advancement has led to widespread adoption in kitchen knives, particularly appreciated in settings like sushi restaurants for their ease of maintenance and hygiene. Recent innovations in high-carbon stainless steel have further enhanced these knives' sharpness, rivaling traditional carbon steel.

Stainless steel