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By Hatsukokoro

Hatsukokoro Saihyo SG2

Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad Mirror Polish SG2 / R2 / Stainless Stainless Clad Hyogo, Japan

Hatsukokoro's Saihyo(細氷, fine ice) is a line that I would consider as the "performance looker" these knives would have a stunning finish but not relying on it as the only selling point, the steel, the grind and the profile will still be performance oriented.

This Saihyo line is equipped with Suminagashi style stainless damascus cladding, finished with a mirror polish, it is a very densely packed, high contrast and defined damascus, which combines with the mirror polish would give the blade a dazzling look. The grind of these knives do not fall short behind, with the 210mm gyuto's spine thickness measures 1.9mm above the heel, the Saihyo line is a collection of lasers. Paired with the TAKEFU SG2 powder metallurgy steel, you could easily put on a wicked edge and expect it to hold very well.

If we consider the highly polished core steel as clear water and the dense damascus pattern as cluster of fine ice, the name would match perfectly with the imagery created by the blade. The entire blade is like the face of an arctic river, with fine ice flowing down from the spine to the edge can bring. That, is a very poetic scene that appears in front of my eyes when I pick up these knives.

Pros

  • Great artistic
  • Thin behind the edge
  • Excellent performance

Cons

  • High budget
  • Mirror polish can be hard to maintain

Best For

  • Enthusiasts
  • Collectors
Construction
Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad
Surface Finish
Mirror Polish
Cladding
Stainless Clad
Steel
SG2 / R2 / Stainless
Origin
Hyogo, Japan

Frequently asked questions

SG2 steel knives at Knives and Stones

SG2 (Super Gold 2, which Takefu writes as SPG2) is Takefu Special Steel's own blade steel, made by powder metallurgy. Takefu says it meets all four of what it calls the major requirements for a blade: high hardness, high toughness, good wear resistance and excellent corrosion resistance.

SG2 runs 61 to 65 HRC depending on the maker, and Takefu does not publish its composition. As of 18 October 2026, 291 of the knives we list have SG2 in their title.

Reviewed by K&S Staff · Last updated 30 May 2026

What is the difference between VG10 and SG2?

Both are Takefu blade steels, and they differ in class and in what Takefu publishes about each. Takefu lists VG10 as a stainless steel with 1.00% carbon, 15.00% chromium, 1.00% molybdenum, 0.25% vanadium and 1.55% cobalt, at a hardening hardness of HRC 60 or more.

Takefu describes SG2, its Super Gold 2, as a blade steel created by powder metallurgy, lists its composition as not disclosed, and SG2 runs 61 to 65 HRC depending on the maker. Takefu also calls SG2 a powdered stainless high-speed steel.

Published by K&S Education Desk; staff review pending

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