VG-1 Steel

VG-1 Steel

Quick look

  • Hardness window: 58–60 HRC keeps the edge keen without tipping into brittle territory.3
  • Toughness: Slightly tougher than VG-10 thanks to leaner vanadium loads, so it shrugs off daily salon bumps.1
  • Corrosion profile: High-chromium stainless that handles moisture and color bowls with disciplined wipe-downs.1,3
  • Weight/feel: Often finished as lightweight offset builds that stay balanced for long scissor-over-comb passes.2

Why it matters

VG-1 (also marketed as Aichi V Gold 1) is the “working pro” sibling to VG-10. You still get a high-carbon stainless matrix that loves convex edges, but the simplified alloy delivers more forgiveness when salon life gets hectic. It holds polish longer than 440C-class steels while resisting micro-chips that can plague cobalt blends during aggressive point work.1

Shear pairing & edge compatibility

  • Convex 5.5–6.0 in cutters: Strong choice for stylists rotating between wet lines and dry contouring.
  • Lightweight offset shears: VG-1’s neutral density keeps ergonomic handles balanced for scissor-over-comb runs.

Technique map

  • Everyday salon services mixing blunt foundations, slide finishes, and contour detailing.
  • Precision barbering where a slightly tougher edge helps the blades track through coarse fades.
  • Dry refinement on medium densities when you want glide without the fragility of cobalt-rich steels.

Real-world stress tests

  • Edge retention: Plan on roughly 900–1,100 salon cuts (~5–6 weeks at 25 cuts/day) before booking a tune-up—the 0.95% carbon load documented for VG-1 and manufacturer claims of long-lived edges support the interval.2,3
  • Impact/drop resilience: Lean alloying lets the edge roll instead of chipping when a blade kisses tile; most nicks can be reset with minimal stock removal.1
  • Weight & in-hand feel: Ultra-lightweight frames keep fatigue low during long sessions while the convex edge still closes with authority.2

Maintenance notes

Clean and dry between clients, oil the pivot lightly, and keep tension neutral so the tougher edge glides instead of grinding. High-volume stylists should schedule professional convex polishing every 3–4 months; hybrid honing keeps the VG-1 apex glassy without overheating the stainless matrix.2,3

Industry snapshot

  • Kamisori Kobura II: Uses Aichi V Gold 1 (VG-1) alloy to pair long-life edges with a 3D convex grind beloved by multi-technique stylists.2

Trade-offs

  • Slightly shorter edge life than VG-10—expect to stay diligent with wipe-downs and service cadence.1
  • Needs attentive tension; overly loose pivots will let the blades flex and scuff the polish.
  • Supplies fluctuate outside Japan, so verify provenance when sourcing replacement shears.

Sources

  1. ZKnives – Takefu VG-1 Steel Overview
  2. Japan Scissors – Kamisori Kobura II Product Spec
  3. 武生特殊鋼材 – V金1 (Japanese)

Related: VG-10 • Edge Types • Scissor Maintenance

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