Carbon steel is reactive — it will rust quickly if not properly cared for. Always wash immediately after use, dry thoroughly, and apply a thin coat of food-safe oil (camellia, mineral) before storage. Over time it develops a patina that offers some natural protection and, for many users, becomes part of the knife's character. Rewarding to use, but not recommended if you want a "wash and forget" knife. Hitachi Metals (now Proterial), Japan 🇯🇵
White 2 / Shirogami #2 白二鋼
55–58 HRC — Soft. Easy to sharpen and forgiving of rough use, but dulls faster. Typical of most German knives.
59–61 HRC — Balanced. Good edge retention with manageable sharpening. Common in mid-range Japanese knives.
62–64 HRC — Hard. Excellent edge retention, holds a very fine edge. Requires more care and a fine stone to sharpen.
65+ HRC — Very hard. Exceptional edge longevity but more brittle — more prone to chipping if used roughly.
Higher is not always better — it depends on how you use and maintain your knife.
Its sibling Blue 2 shares the carbon range and adds chromium and tungsten. Neither is stainless, which the Japan Stainless Steel Association sets at 10.5% chromium or more, so dry the knife after washing.
We list White 2 from makers including Masamoto Sohonten, Hatsukokoro, Sakai Takayuki, Myojin Riki, Mazaki and Yoshikane.
White 2 / Shirogami #2 Element Composition
Typical values from third-party sources.
White 2 / Shirogami #2 Composition
What's in White 2 / Shirogami #2
What each element does in your knife.
| Element | Composition | What it does in your knife |
|---|---|---|
| CCarbon | 1.05–1.15% | The primary hardening element. More carbon means a harder edge that holds longer — but past a point it trades away toughness and rust resistance. |
| MnManganese | 0.2–0.3% | Aids hardenability and strength and acts as a deoxidiser in smelting. Too much can reduce toughness. |
| SiSilicon | 0.1–0.2% | Strengthens the steel matrix and acts as a deoxidiser, improving hardness and resistance to oxidation. |
| PPhosphorus | ≤ 0.025% | An impurity from smelting. Even small amounts promote brittleness, so steelmakers keep it as low as possible. |
| SSulfur | ≤ 0.004% | An impurity that reduces toughness and promotes brittleness; only ever added deliberately in free-machining steels. |
Composition from zknives (K&S steel dataset) reference material. These ranges come from the K&S steel composition dataset, which is derived from zknives; maker figures are cited separately only when they are used on the page.
White 2 / Shirogami #2 Buying Guide
Should you buy White 2 / Shirogami #2?
Where it shines
- Its pure, carbide-light grain takes a very fine, keen edge, and it comes back on a whetstone faster than Blue.
- The simplest recipe of the carbon family: essentially iron and carbon, with no alloying elements added.
Where it doesn't
- No chromium added, so no corrosion resistance to speak of: it greys around acidic food from day one, and orange rust shows up if you leave it wet.
- With no tungsten in it, it wears faster than Blue and asks for touch-ups more often.
Frequently asked questions
Shirogami 1 vs Shirogami 2: what is the difference?
Reviewed by K&S Staff · Last updated 31 July 2026
What is the difference between White 1, White 2 and White 3?
Published by K&S Education Desk; staff review pending
What is the difference between Blue 2 and White 2 steel?
Published by K&S Education Desk; staff review pending
Knives in White 2 / Shirogami #2
View all
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Kamagata Usuba 180mm
Sukenari
Sukenari White 2 K-tip Yanagiba 270mm, Ebony Brass Handle
Sukenari
Sukenari White 2 K-tip Kiritsuke 240mm, Ebony Brass Handle
Sukenari
Sukenari White 2 K-tip Yanagiba 300mm, Ebony Brass Handle
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji Sujihiki 240mm, Stainless Clad Ebony by Hatsukokoro
Masakage
Masakage Yuki White2 Gyuto 210mm Stainless Clad
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro Kurokaze White 2 Gyuto 210mm Stainless Clad, Tall Profile
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Left Handed Yanagiba 210mm
Kenji Togashi
Kenji Togashi White 2 Honyaki, Fujin (God of Wind) Urushi Set
Yoshimi Kato
Yoshimi Kato Kintaro White 2 Damascus KU Nashiji Bunka 180mm
Takahiro Nihei
Takahiro Nihei Hyomon White 2 Damascus Yanagiba 270mm w/ Saya, exclusive to K&S
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Left Handed Yanagiba 300mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Left Handed Mioroshi Deba 270mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Left Handed Yanagiba 240mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Left Handed Mioroshi Deba 210mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 210mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 195mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 165mm
Knives and Stones (K&S)
Introductory Offer: K&S White 2 Kurouchi Chinese Cleaver 210mm
Knives and Stones (K&S)
Introductory Offer: K&S White 2 Stainless Clad Chinese Cleaver 200mm
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Takobiki 270mm (KK0127)
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Deba 195 mm KS2019
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Series Deba 195 mm KK2019
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Series Deba 150 mm KK2015
Mazaki
Mazaki White 2 Migaki Deba 180mm
Mazaki
Mazaki White 2 Migaki Gyuto 240mm
Mazaki
Mazaki White 2 Migaki Gyuto 210mm
Mazaki
Mazaki White 2 Kurouchi Santoku 180mm
Mazaki
Mazaki White 2 Kurouchi Nakiri 180mm
Mazaki
Mazaki White 2 Kurouchi Gyuto 240mm
Mazaki
Mazaki White 2 Kurouchi Gyuto 210mm
Masakage
Masakage Yuki White2 Bunka 170mm Stainless Clad
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji K-tip Gyuto 210mm Carbon Fiber Handle
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Uzushio White 2 Damascus Kamagata Usuba 195mm
Genkai Masakuni
Exotic: Genkai Masakuni (玄海正國) Mizu-Honyaki Maguro Kiri 450mm Mt. Fuji Hamon
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou White 2 Usuba 195mm
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto White 2 Kiritsuke Yanagiba 165 mm KS4616 with saya
Masakage
Masakage Yuki White2 Santoku 170mm Stainless Clad
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji Honesuki 150mm Stainless Clad Ebony by Hatsukokoro
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji Nakiri 165mm Stainless Clad Ebony by Hatsukokoro
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji K-tip Gyuto 210mm Stainless Clad Ebony by Hatsukokoro
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji Stainless Clad Bunka 165mm Ebony by Hatsukokoro
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji Santoku 165mm Stainless Clad Ebony
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 KU Nashiji Gyuto 210mm Stainless Clad Ebony by Hatsukokoro
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Yanagiba 240 mm KS0424
Masakage
Masakage Yuki White2 Stainless Clad Nakiri 165mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Honesuki Boning Knife 150mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Yanagiba 300mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Yanagiba 270mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Sakimaru 330mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 K-tip Yanagiba 330mm
Mazaki
EOFY2025 SPECIAL: Mazaki White 2 Hon-Sanmai Gyuto 240mm with Saya
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Yanagiba 330mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Sakimaru 300mm
Myojin Riki
Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 K-tip Yanagiba 300mm
Knives and Stones (K&S)
Hatsukokoro Sentan White 2 Stainless Clad Chinese Cleaver 175mm
Knives and Stones (K&S)
Hatsukokoro Sentan White 2 Stainless Clad Kurouchi Chinese Cleaver 195mm
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki White 2 Tokujou Deba 165mm
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten KS K-tip Gyuto 210 mm KS3121KT with Saya
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro Kurokaze White 2 Kurouchi Petty 150mm Stainless Clad
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 Nashiji K-tip Gyuto 210mm Stainless Clad Ebony Handle
Yoshikane Hamono
Hatsukokoro x Yoshikane White 2 Nashiji Gyuto 210mm Stainless Clad Ebony Handle
Yoshikane Hamono
Hatsukokoro x Yoshikane White 2 Nashiji Santoku 170mm Stainless Clad Ebony
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro Kurokaze White 2 Kurouchi Gyuto 180mm Stainless Clad Black Chacate
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro Sentan White 2 Stainless Clad Chinese Cleaver 195mm
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blackwind White 2 Gyuto 210mm Stainless Clad
Yoshikane Hamono
Hatsukokoro x Yoshikane White 2 Nashiji Gyuto 240mm Stainless Clad
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro Sentan White 2 SS Clad Chinese Cleaver 200mm
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Kiritsuke 300mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Kiritsuke 270mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Unagi Saki 195 mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Usuba 240mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 Nashiji Petty 150mm
Satoshi Nakagawa
Nakagawa White 2 Mizu-Honyaki Gyuto 240mm
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Usuba 195 mm KS0619 Blonde Ferrule
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro (初心) White 2 Bunka 180mm
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro (初心) White 2 Gyuto 210mm
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 Nashiji Stainless Clad Bunka 170mm
Yoshikane Hamono
Yoshikane White 2 Nashiji Stainless Clad Nakiri 165mm
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou(別誂) White 2 Honesuki (Boning Knife) 150/180mm
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Sujihiki 270mm KS4327
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten KS Series Gyuto 210 mm KS3121 with Saya
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten KS Series Gyuto 240 mm KS3124 with Saya, Black Ferrule
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten KS Gyuto 240 mm KS3124 K&S Special
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Series Usuba 210 mm KK0621 with SAYA
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Series Deba 210 mm KK2021
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Kiritsuke Yanagiba 270mm KS4627, with ho wood saya
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Series Usuba 180 mm KK0618
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Yanagiba 330 mm KS0433
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Hamokiri 270mm KS1027
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Kamagata Usuba 195 mm KS0719
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Deba 165 mm KS2016 with SAYA
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten KS Series Gyuto 270 mm KS3127 with Saya
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Sujihiki 240mm KS4324
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Petty 165mm KS4216
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Takobiki 300 mm KS0130
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Kiritsuke Yanagiba 300mm KS4630
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Mukimono 180mm KS2718
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Honyaki (HS, White 2) Yanagiba 330 mm with SAYA
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Honyaki (HS, White 2) Yanagiba 300 mm
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Honyaki (HS, White 2) Yanagiba 270 mm with Saya HS0427
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Yanagiba 300 mm KK0430
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Yanagiba 300 mm KS0430
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Yanagiba 270 mm KS0427
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Takobiki 330 mm KS0133
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Takobiki 270mm (KS0127) with Saya
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Mioroshi Deba 240 mm KS2324
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Mioroshi Deba 210 mm KS2321
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Kiritsuke Yanagiba 165 mm KS4616 with saya
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Kamagata Usuba 210 mm KS0721
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Kamagata Usuba 180 mm KS0718
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Deba 210 mm KS2021
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Hongasumi White 2 Deba 180 mm KS2018
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Yanagiba 270 mm KK0427
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Yanagiba 240 mm KK0424
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Series Deba 180 mm KK2018
Masamoto Sohonten
Masamoto Sohonten Kasumi White 2 Series Deba 165 mm KK2016
Sugimoto
Sugimoto Chuka (Chinese Cleaver) #7 (4007) Mid Weight White 2, Full Size
Sugimoto
Sugimoto Chuka (Chinese Cleaver) #6 (4006) Slicer White 2, Full Size
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Mioroshi Deba 270mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Mioroshi Deba 240mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Yanagiba 300mm Left Hand White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Yanagiba 270mm Left Hand White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Usuba 180mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Usuba 210mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Kiritsuke 240mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Yanagiba 330mm White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou White 2 Mukimono (single bevel utility) 180mm
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Edo Saki 180mm (7.1") White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou White 2 Deba 165mm
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Yanagiba 300mm (11.8") White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou White 2 Yanagiba 270mm
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Yanagiba 240mm (9.4") White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Deba 195mm (7.7") White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki
Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Deba 180mm (7.1") White 2 Carbon Steel
Sakai Takayuki