VG10
Blade steels
VG10 Steel
Description
VG10 (V Gold 10) was developed by Takefu Special Steel (Japan), a company founded in 1954, known for laminated steel. VG10 was created over 60 years ago (~1959), around the same time as 154CM. Known for good corrosion resistance, moderate edge retention, and the unusual cobalt addition for improved tempering resistance. Commonly used in Japanese kitchen knives and pocket knives (Spyderco etc.).
Composition
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.0 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 15 % |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.0 % |
| Cobalt (Co) | 1.5 % |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.2 % |
Properties
| Property | Value | Rating (1-10) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 59–62 HRC | — |
| Toughness | 5–6 ft-lbs at 60–61 HRC | 5/10 |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good (Cr in solution ~11–12 %) | 8/10 |
| Edge Retention (CATRA TCC) | ~350–400 mm at 60 HRC | 5/10 |
| Carbide Volume | ~12–16 % (chromium carbides) | — |
| Tempering Resistance | Very good (due to cobalt) | 8/10 |
| Grindability | Good | 7/10 |
Why Cobalt in VG10?
The cobalt addition is the most unusual aspect of VG10. Cobalt primarily serves to improve tempering resistance, allowing VG10 to be used for coatings applied at high temperatures (up to 450 °C).
Cobalt provides:
- Higher hardness at elevated tempering temperatures
- Improved secondary hardening
- Suppression of martensite recovery
Microstructure
VG10 contains mainly chromium carbides. The carbide volume is about 12–16 %, comparable to 440C.
Heat Treatment
| Step | Temperature / Duration |
|---|---|
| Austenitizing | 1050–1080 °C (1975 °F) |
| Quench | Oil or air |
| Cryo | Optional |
| Tempering | 150–200 °C (2×) |
| Achievable Hardness | 59–62 HRC |
SG2 (Super Gold 2)
SG2 is a powder metallurgy variant from Takefu, developed in 1991. With a composition similar to S30V (1.3 % C, 14 % Cr, 2 % Mo, 2 % V), SG2 offers better edge retention than VG10 through higher carbide volume and vanadium carbides.
Comparison with Related Steels
| Steel | Toughness | Edge Retention | Corrosion |
|---|---|---|---|
| VG10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| SG2 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| 440C | 5/10 | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| 14C28N | 8/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| 154CM | 5/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good corrosion resistance (better than 440C)
- Cobalt addition for high tempering resistance (PVD coatings)
- Proven Japanese steel for decades
- Easy to grind
- Widely available
Cons:
- Moderate edge retention (below 440C in CATRA)
- Conventional production → coarser carbides than PM steels
- Not suitable for extreme applications
Conclusion
VG10 is an established Japanese steel with good corrosion resistance and moderate performance. The cobalt addition enables high tempering resistance for coatings. SG2 offers better performance through powder metallurgy and vanadium carbides. Ideal for kitchen knives and everyday carry knives.
Sources
- Knife Steel Nerds: VG10 – Japanese Stainless Steel
- Knife Steel Nerds: VG10 and Super Gold 2 Takefu