HAP40 vs Aogami #2

A powder-metallurgy high-speed steel from Hitachi, designed originally for industrial cutting tools. Japanese knife and tool makers adopted it for its exceptional hardness and wear resistance. The vanadium and cobalt additions produce carbides that resist abrasion beyond almost any other steel in this reference.

Similar to Aogami #1 but with slightly lower carbon and tungsten content. Offers an excellent balance of edge retention and toughness, making it the most-used steel among Japanese master blacksmiths. The sweet spot of the Aogami family — demanding enough to be worthy, forgiving enough to be reliable.