GIN 3 Steel - Silver Paper Steel
Silver paper steel takes its name from the silver wrapping paper in which this steel is delivered. GIN 3 is a very tough steel and ideal for making easy-care knife blades. GIN 3 steel has a carbon content of 0.95 - 1.1%, which enables this steel to achieve high degrees of hardness. At the same time, the chromium content of 13 - 14.5% ensures that blades made of GIN 3 steel are hardly susceptible to corrosion.
Stainless Japanese knives made of GIN 3 steel
Japanese chef's knives made of silver paper steel can reach hardness levels of 59 - 61 HRC, depending on the manufacturing process. This means that GIN 3 steel blades do not quite reach the hardness levels of White #1, White #2, Aogami Super and Blue #2. Nevertheless, blades made of silver paper steel can be ground very sharp and offer the great advantage that they are hardly susceptible to rusting.
Silver paper steel blades - ideal for your first Japanese knife
If you are looking for a compromise between blade hardness and low maintenance for your first Japanese kitchen knife, GIN 3 blades are a good place to start. These knives are also ideal as a gift for people with little background knowledge about Japanese knife blades. The Okeya Santoku knife is a great compromise between performance and tradition.