VG-10 Steel

VG-10 Steel

Quick look

  • Hardness window: 59–63 HRC from Takefu’s heat treatment tables.
  • Toughness: Balanced molybdenum/vanadium package keeps edges stable without cobalt brittleness.
  • Corrosion profile: High chromium with cobalt bump resists salon moisture and chemical stains when wiped daily.
  • Weight/feel: Medium density; lamination-friendly so blades feel light with firm spine support.

Why it matters

VG-10—or “V Gold 10”—sits at the sweet spot between elite cobalt steels and approachable workhorses. Vanadium refines carbides so convex edges stay keen, while molybdenum keeps the matrix tough through repeated sharpenings. You get a daily-driver steel that forgives minor abuse yet still sings through precision palm-to-palm work.

Shear pairing & edge compatibility

  • Semi-convex 5.5–6.0 in cutters: Everyday stylists lean on VG-10 for wet-to-dry versatility without giving up slide performance.
  • Hybrid texturizers: Vanadium-rich edge supports micro-serrations, letting blenders bite through coarse textures without fray.

Technique map

  • Classic blunt and graduation work where consistent bite keeps lines clean.
  • Wet-to-dry rotations in color studios; VG-10 tolerates moisture better than lower-carbon stainless.
  • Slide detailing and channel cutting for lived-in shapes; edge stays smooth even after wedding-week marathons.

Real-world stress tests

  • Edge retention: Expect about 1,000–1,400 salon cuts (~5–7 weeks at 25 cuts/day) before you feel drag. Japan Scissors notes VG-10 as the premium “daily driver,” and Takefu’s carbide refinement helps it stretch farther than 440C.
  • Impact/drop resilience: More forgiving than ATS-314—tips are prone to slight flat spots rather than catastrophic chips, making emergency re-honing viable.
  • Weight & in-hand feel: Many makers laminate VG-10 with softer cheeks, so the blade feels floaty with a planted spine—less fatigue during marathon foiling days.

Maintenance notes

Rinse and dry after chemical services; the vanadium carbides can stain if bleach sits overnight. Reset tension weekly and oil pivots lightly so the laminated core doesn’t grind grit into the cheeks. Sharpen every 3–4 months in high-volume salons; specify a convex polish to keep the vanadium-rich edge slick.

Industry snapshot

  • Yasaka VG-10 Series: Japanese-made shears leveraging laminated VG-10 cores for durable everyday precision work.

Trade-offs

  • Slightly softer than cobalt alloys, so ultra-long dry slide sessions may require more frequent honing.
  • Premium price compared with 440C/9Cr18MoV, particularly in laminated builds.
  • Needs a sharpener comfortable with vanadium carbides; aggressive wheels can tear the edge.

Sources

Related: Edge Types • Steel Types • Scissor Maintenance

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