How to: Heat treating Aogami Super Carbon Steel

Heat treating Aogami Super in Oblivion Blades billets

The "super steel" Aogami Super Carbon is a fairly complex ultra-high carbon steel.

Aogami Super is a steel from Japan, this is what JapaneseChefKnives.com has to say about the steel;

"Aogami Super (Hitachi Metals Ltd.) is one of the greatest Japanese Carbon Steels. In addition to containing more Carbon, Chromium and Tungsten than Blue Steel No.1, it also includes Molybdenum. It has very good edge sharpness and excellent edge retention, but is also capable of attaining high hardness without being brittle. Consequently, many knife enthusiasts rate Aogami Super as one of the very best High Carbon Steels in the world.

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Note the ultra high carbon content:

C 1.40-1.50 % | Cr 0.3-0.5 % | W 2.0-2.5 % | Mo 0.30-0.50 % | V 0.5 %

NOTICE: This is not a steel for beginners. There are no refunds for messing up these by forging them or heat treating them. This is a risky product for higher level makers who accept the risks involved in a product that consisting of high carbon steel, nickel and mild steel.. be warned.

Pro Tip: Don't grind these before heat treat if you are reading this to heat treat a san mai billet of Aogami Super and mild sides. Flatten, profile but don't grind bevel. As the cheeks are not hardenable, there is no advantage to grinding profiles before heat treat. This only increases the chances of warping or issues during the heat treatment.

Heat treatment:

Aogami Super is not a beginner steel, do your own reseach online as there is some contrasting advice on heat treatment.

Jezz from Oblivion Blades suggests to start your trials by what he does;

• hold time 7 mins at each temp, cool to black and next temp
• 900 C
• 850 C
• 800 C
• 750 C
• up to 825 C, hold 7 mins and quench in fast oil or water.

 Temper 2 hours x 2 at 205 C for about 60 HRC.