R2 and SG2 steels are basically the same steels, sold under different names. R2 steel is distributed by one of the leaders in Japanese steel production, namely Kobelco Steel Company. This steel is also purchased by Takefu Steel Company which labels it as SG2 (according to Koki Iwahara of JapaneseChefsKnife.Com). This steel is powder-coated, high-speed steel. Thanks to the unique production process, this steel has a very high degree of purity, precisely selected chemical composition and an intricately designed structure. It has an outstanding sharpness at the level of 64 HRC, it is harder than most powder steels, thanks to the significant share of molybdenum and vanadium forming carbides. A significant amount of vanadium, in addition to improving the hardness and abrasion resistance of steel, does not reduce plastic properties, and even improves impact strength and elasticity. The very high content of molybdenum, improving the strength properties, together with chromium also affects the corrosion resistance of this steel. R2 / SG2 keeps sharpness for a very long time. In addition, it is maintenance-free, with excellent blades, even better than the iconic ZDP-189. This steel is ideal for professionals who have the highest demands on their tools.
Composition:
- Carbon: 1,25 – 1,45%,
- Vanadium: 1,80 – 2,20%,
- Chromium: 14,00 – 16,00%,
- Molybdenum: 2,30 – 3,30%,
- Manganese: 0,40%,
- Phosphorus: 0,03%,
- Sulfur: 0,03%,
- Silicon: 0,5%