KAMATA

Steel material

2024.01.01

Shirogami(white)

Shirogami is one of the steels used in traditional Japanese blade manufacturing and has unique characteristics.

The main characteristics of Shirogami are as follows

  1. High purity carbon steel: Shiroshi is a very high purity carbon steel and is characterized by its low impurity content. This gives the blade an extremely sharp cutting edge.
  2. Sharpness and durability: Being a high-grade steel, the blades are extremely sharp and long-lasting. While maintaining a good sharpness, they are durable enough not to need to be resharpened for a relatively long time.
  3. Requires care: White paper has a tendency to rust. Since it is sensitive to moisture and contact with water, it needs to be dried thoroughly after use, oiled, and otherwise cared for.
  4. Traditional Methods and Craftsmanship: Shiragami is forged using traditional methods and the advanced skills of craftsmen. Different steels are layered on top of each other to create a blade with a unique pattern (jiki-e pattern or nuki-me).
  5. Soft center: In Shiragami, the blade is very sharp, but the back (the underside of the blade) is typically made of softer steel. This construction creates a blade that is both sharp and flexible.

Shiroshi is popular among chefs and knife enthusiasts who demand high quality sharpness and durability. On the other hand, one must consider the care and management required. When knives are well maintained, blades made of white paper perform extremely well.

*This is a translation by a translation tool.