Steel Library
Quick summaries of the steels referenced across JapanShears.
Steel summaries (tap through for full guides)
| Steel | Quick summary | Suggested uses |
|---|---|---|
| 440C | Value-tier stainless (58–60 HRC). Forgiving and affordable. | Apprentices, backups, blunt cutting |
| VG-10 | Japan’s everyday alloy (60–62 HRC). Balanced glide. | Mixed wet/dry salon work |
| ZA-18 | VG-10 upgrade (61–63 HRC). Better corrosion resistance, longevity. | Colour-heavy salons, stylists moving up |
| ATS-314 | Hitachi cobalt stainless (62–64 HRC). Silky precision. | Slide/point work, educators |
| Cobalt alloys | Premium cobalt-enriched steels. Smooth, rigid glide. | Premium daily drivers, ergonomic handles |
| Nano Powder Metal | Powder metallurgy (62–64 HRC). Ultra-low drag. | Dry cutting specialists, premium demos |
| Powder Damascus | Powder core + Damascus cladding. Performance + aesthetics. | Luxury services, presentation-ready kits |
More comparisons
Keep this library handy while exploring the product hub and brand guides.