VG-1 (also known as V Gold 1 steel) is a high Carbon (C) Molybdenum (Mo) stainless steel manufactured by Takefu Special Steel Co., Ltd.[1] It is not the same steel as VG-10.
VG-1 has a Carbon (C) content between 0.95–1.05 %, Chromium (Cr) content between 13.0–15.0 %, Molybdenum (Mo) content between 0.2–0.4 % and contains less than 0.25% of Nickel (Ni).[2] During forging, Mo and Cr form hard double carbide bonds, which help improve the abrasion and corrosion resistance of the steel.[3] It is usually heat treated to reach hardness of HRC 58–61.[4]
Knife retailer Cold Steel markets a variety of knives that use VG-1.[5] Cold Steel claims that VG-1 has better sharpness, edge retention, point strength, shock and strength characteristics than 440C, VG-10, or ATS 34 stainless steels, though any of those alloys may be better than VG-1 in individual categories.[6] There have been reports that VG-1 might be more chipping prone than other comparable stainless steels, but these reports have been disputed.[7]
VG-1 is also used in hairdresser's scissors, kitchen knives and blades for food-processing machines.[8]