Looking for VG10? Our 10Cr15CoMoV Knives Compared
Looking for VG10 knives? The knives in this collection do not use VG10, a Japanese stainless steel made by Takefu Special Steel.
They use 10Cr15CoMoV, a Chinese stainless steel with a similar mix of about 1% carbon and 15% chromium, plus cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium. Many of them clad the 10Cr15CoMoV core in Damascus steel. Hardness, edge angle and construction vary from knife to knife, so check each product page for its own figures. If you searched for VG10 kitchen knives, this is our alternative, and our VG10 vs 10Cr15CoMoV guide sets the two steels side by side.
Choosing Looking for VG10? Our 10Cr15CoMoV Knives Compared
Looking for VG10? VG10 is a Japanese stainless steel, made by Takefu Special Steel for high-performance cutlery. The knives in this collection do not use VG10. They use 10Cr15CoMoV, a Chinese stainless steel, and this page shows how the two compare.
Both steels share a similar mix: about 1% carbon and 15% chromium, with cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium. The Chinese name spells this out. 10 stands for about 1% carbon, Cr15 for about 15% chromium, and Co, Mo and V for cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium. VG10 is a trade name, so the name itself does not tell you what is in the steel. How a knife cuts also depends on its heat treatment, grind and edge angle, so check each knife's page for its own hardness and edge angle.
You will find 10Cr15CoMoV across several series, including the Mo Series (67-layer Damascus clad) and the Retro Series. In both, the 10Cr15CoMoV core forms the cutting edge, surrounded by softer cladding layers that protect it from lateral stress.
Steel Guides
For a detailed comparison of VG10 against its Chinese counterpart, read our VG10 vs 10Cr15CoMoV guide. Our steel hardness guide explains what HRC ratings mean in practice. For maintenance tips specific to high-carbon stainless steels, see the daily care guide.
Browse also: Damascus Knives | Japanese-Style Knives | Professional Chef Knives
More on VG10 and 10Cr15CoMoV
- VG10 vs 10Cr15CoMoV: our detailed steel comparison sets out what goes into each steel and how they compare. VG10 vs 10Cr15CoMoV comparison
- Understanding HRC ratings: what steel hardness means for a 10Cr15CoMoV kitchen knife and its edge retention and long-term durability. Knife steel hardness guide
- How Damascus layering around a 10Cr15CoMoV core adds both beauty and blade resilience. Damascus pattern and performance guide
- See our full Damascus knife range, where the core steel differs by series. Shop Damascus Knives
- Our chef knife collection covers several steels, 10Cr15CoMoV among them, across multiple blade profiles and handle options. Shop Chef Knives
- Browse our Japanese-style knife collection, made with a range of steels. Shop Japanese-Style Knives
