VG-10 Steel
Description
VG-10 (V Gold 10) is Japan's most popular premium scissor steel at 59-63 HRC. Cobalt-enhanced stainless for professional dry and wet cutting.
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.
Composition breakdown
VG-10’s full alloy recipe is published by Takefu Special Steel (武生特殊鋼材) of Fukui Prefecture, Japan:
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.95–1.05% | Sets hardness ceiling |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.5–15.5% | Corrosion resistance |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.8–1.2% | Toughness, flex resistance |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.25–0.35% | Carbide grain refinement |
| Cobalt (Co) | 1.3–1.8% | Matrix stiffness, red hardness |
| Manganese (Mn) | ~0.50% | Hardenability |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.03% | Impurity limit |
Source: Takefu Special Steel — VG10 product page; Yamamoto Scissors composition table
The carbon sets the hardness ceiling while chromium handles corrosion resistance. Cobalt stiffens the matrix and improves red hardness, vanadium refines carbide grain for a smoother edge, and molybdenum adds toughness so the steel can flex without fracturing. Takefu developed and trademarked the “V Gold 10” designation, with the “10” referencing its position at the top of the V Gold series (V金10号). Most shear makers using genuine VG-10 source their blanks directly from Takefu’s Fukui Prefecture mill.
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| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Austenitizing | 1,050–1,100°C | Takefu recommendation |
| Quench medium | Oil, plate quench, or forced air | Takefu / KSN protocol |
| Tempering | 150–250°C, 2 cycles | Takefu recommendation |
| Sub-zero treatment | Required (–196°C liquid nitrogen) | KSN experimental protocol |
VG-10 exhibits secondary hardening with high-temperature tempering — Takefu notes it is “suitable for blades requiring surface coating treatment up to about 450°C.” This property is unusual among scissor steels and is relevant for coated blade models.
<p class=”detail-source”>Sources: <a href=”https://e-tokko.com/v_gold_10.php?lang=en”>Takefu product page</a>; <a href=”https://knifesteelnerds.com/2019/12/16/vg10-and-super-gold-2-takefu-stainless-steel-properties-and-history/”>Knife Steel Nerds experimental data</a></p> </div> </details>
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Dr. Larrin Thomas (metallurgist) tested VG-10 under controlled conditions:
| Parameter | VG-10 Result |
|---|---|
| Resulting HRC | 60.7 |
| Charpy toughness | 5.8 ft-lbs (subsize unnotched, per ASTM E23; unnotched specimens are designated for PM materials per E23 Annex A3) |
| Carbide volume | 12–16% (Thermo-Calc estimate) |
| Cr in solution | 11.7% (sufficient for stainless) |
| Mo in solution | 0.9% |
| Primary carbide type | Cr-rich (M23C6) |
| Stainless test | Passed (distilled water spray, 8 hours × 4 days, no corrosion) |
The 12–16% carbide volume means VG-10 is more prone to micro-chipping than tougher steels with less carbide (like GIN-3). Dropped scissors may chip at the tips. However, this carbide volume is also what provides the edge retention — it’s a deliberate trade-off.
Multiple knife makers report VG-10 can be “brittle” when heat-treated improperly. The steel performs best with sophisticated heat treatment (cryo + double temper); shortcuts produce brittle blades. This explains why two “VG-10 scissors” from different brands can feel dramatically different.
<p class=”detail-source”>Source: <a href=”https://knifesteelnerds.com/2019/12/16/vg10-and-super-gold-2-takefu-stainless-steel-properties-and-history/”>Knife Steel Nerds — VG10 and Super Gold 2</a></p> </div> </details>
Optimal hardness and cutting application
Properly heat treated VG-10 lands in the 60 to 62 HRC range for scissor applications, though Takefu’s published specs allow a window from 59 to 63 depending on temper cycles. This hardness range makes VG-10 particularly well suited for dry hair cutting, where a keen, lasting edge matters more than raw toughness. The steel holds a convex polish that glides through dry strands without grabbing or folding, which is why so many Japanese shear makers position their VG-10 lines as dry cutting specialists.
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.
VG-10 is a proprietary cutlery-grade stainless steel developed by Takefu Special Steel (武生特殊鋼材). It is not classified under JIS G 4303 but belongs to the same general material class as the SUS440 martensitic series defined in that standard.
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 1,200–1,800 salon cuts (~6–10 weeks at 25 cuts/day) before you feel drag. Takefu’s carbide refinement helps it stretch significantly 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.
How it compares
| Steel | HRC | Corrosion | Edge Retention | Sharpening | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VG-10 | 59–63 | Very good | Very good | Moderate | Mid–Premium |
| ATS-314 | 60–62 | Very good | Excellent | Difficult | Premium |
| 440C | 58–60 | Good | Good | Moderate | Mid |
| SG2/R2 | 63–64 | Excellent | Excellent | Difficult | Premium |
| AUS-8 | 57–59 | Good | Fair | Easy | Entry |
VG-10 variants
Takefu produces several variants of the VG-10 base alloy, each with specific modifications:
- VG-10W (V Gold 10W): Adds tungsten (0.3–0.4% W) to the standard VG-10 formula. Takefu states VG-10W delivers “20% higher durability/strength and 25% higher cutting performance” compared to standard VG-10, while maintaining the same corrosion resistance. The tungsten “precipitates and disperses hard, fine carbides” per Takefu’s product page. Used by Kasho (KAI Group) in their Blue and Ivory Series. Source: Takefu — VG-10W
- VG-10B (V Gold 10B): A lower-carbon variant (0.75–0.85% C vs. standard 0.95–1.05%), resulting in a softer HRC of approximately 58. This makes VG-10B more forgiving and easier to sharpen — a budget-friendlier option, not a premium upgrade.
- ATS-314: Proterial’s (formerly Hitachi Metals) proprietary modification of VG-10W with undisclosed additional elements. Yamamoto Scissors — a Japanese scissor manufacturer and steel supplier — documents ATS-314 as “V金10W + (SECRET).” Only Proterial can manufacture steel labeled ATS-314. See our ATS-314 reference for details.
Counterfeit warning
Takefu Special Steel has issued an official warning: “Recently, there have been rampant sales of similar or counterfeit products on the Internet, etc., with advertising claims that our original blade steel ‘VG10’ is used as the material.” When purchasing VG-10 scissors, verify the manufacturer’s supply chain relationship with Takefu. Source: Takefu VG-10 product page
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
- Takefu Special Steel — VG-10 Product Page (manufacturer primary)
- Takefu Special Steel — VG-10W Product Page (manufacturer primary)
- Knife Steel Nerds — VG10 and Super Gold 2 (independent testing, Dr. Larrin Thomas)
- Yamamoto Scissors — Proterial Steel Composition Table (manufacturer partner)
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Proterial — Yasugi Specialty Steel Catalog (manufacturer primary)
- ASTM E23-25 — Standard Test Methods for Notched Bar Impact Testing (testing standard for Charpy toughness data cited above; current edition April 2025) Related: Edge Types • Steel Types • 440C • ATS-314 • GIN-1 • GIN-3
Verified Sources
- Primary 🇯🇵 武生特殊鋼材 (Takefu Special Steel Co., Ltd.) (VG-10 product page)
- Secondary Knife Steel Nerds (Dr. Larrin Thomas) (independent testing, Dr. Larrin Thomas)
- Primary Yamamoto Scissors — Official (steel composition table)
- Primary Proterial / Yasugi Specialty Steel (旧日立金属・安来鋼) (Yasugi Specialty Steel catalog)
Frequently Asked Questions
VG-10 (V Gold 10) is Japan's most popular premium scissor steel at 59-63 HRC. Cobalt-enhanced stainless for professional dry and wet cutting.
VG-10 has a Rockwell hardness (HRC) range of 59 to 63. This hardness level determines edge retention, sharpening difficulty, and overall blade durability in professional scissors.
VG-10 is used in professional hair scissors for its balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpenability. It is classified as a Premium Japanese steel. It originates from Japan. The choice depends on your cutting style, volume, and maintenance preferences.