VG10 vs 10Cr15CoMoV
VG10 and 10Cr15CoMoV side by side: what the data sheets say, and what the survey says. VG10 is stated in 2,175 listings from 85 brands, 10Cr15CoMoV in 462 from 15. The median damascus chef knife in the United States is listed at $207 with VG10 and $67 with 10Cr15CoMoV.
The data sheets
| VG10 | 10Cr15CoMoV | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | stainless steel | stainless steel |
| Data sheet | Takefu Special Steel | GB standard |
| C % | 0.95-1.05 | 0.95-1.05 |
| Cr % | 14.5-15.5 | 14.5-15.5 |
| Mo % | 0.9-1.2 | 0.8-1.2 |
| V % | 0.1-0.3 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Co % | 1.3-1.5 | 1.3-1.8 |
| Usual hardness (HRC) | 59-61 | 58-61 |
| Listings in the survey | 2,175 | 462 |
| Brands | 85 | 15 |
| Share of all listings | 32 % | 7 % |
| Listings that state the layers | 68 % | 81 % |
| Median chef knife, United States | $207 | $67 |
Nominal composition in % by mass from the steelmakers' data sheets or the published standard. Hardness: usual range stated for kitchen knives.
What the difference means in use
On paper the two recipes are almost the same: about 1 % carbon and 15 % chromium in both, with small amounts of molybdenum, vanadium and cobalt. A data sheet cannot separate them. What separates two knives is the heat treatment and the grind, and no listing shows those.
In the survey a chef knife in VG10 costs 209 % more at the median than one in 10Cr15CoMoV ($207 against $67, United States). That gap also reflects the brands that use each steel, not only the steel.
How to choose: by the knife, not by the steel name. Look at the blade length, the grind, the handle and the price against the median.
Chef knife prices, United States
Median price by knife type
United States
| Type | VG10 | n | 10Cr15CoMoV | n |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damascus chef knife | $207 | 393 | $67 | 53 |
| Damascus santoku | $190 | 181 | $98 | 25 |
| Damascus nakiri | $189 | 131 | $92 | 24 |
| Damascus utility knife | $170 | 163 | $56 | 25 |
| Damascus paring knife | $90 | 39 | $69 | 17 |
| Damascus slicing knife | $262 | 102 | $99 | 7 |
| Damascus bread knife | $119 | 21 | $89 | 20 |
| Damascus kiritsuke | $344 | 38 | $46 | 12 |
| Damascus bunka | $287 | 30 | $33 | 7 |
| Damascus cleaver | $150 | 35 | $99 | 12 |
| Damascus boning knife | $130 | 19 | $78 | 10 |
| Damascus knife set | $359 | 135 | $195 | 28 |
Best-scoring chef knives in each steel
VG10
| # | Knife | Brand | Core steel | Price | vs median | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8" Japanese Damascus Chef Knife with Sheath8" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Hoshanho | VG10 | $65.96 | -68 % | 95 |
| 2 | 【Elite G Series】Sharp Professional VG10 Damascus Steel 8 Inch Chef Knife8" · 72 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Sunnecko | VG10 | $65.99 | -68 % | 95 |
| 3 | Damascus Chef Knife · 7 inch Santoku Knife7" · 33 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Letcase | VG10 | $69 | -67 % | 95 |
10Cr15CoMoV
| # | Knife | Brand | Core steel | Price | vs median | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SHAN ZU INFERNO | 8" Forged Black Damascus Chef Knife8" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Shan Zu | 10Cr15CoMoV | $66.99 | -68 % | 95 |
| 2 | Marea · Damascus Chef Knife 8"7.9" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Damascus Knife | 10Cr15CoMoV | $99 | -52 % | 95 |
| 3 | XINZUO PM8 Series 67 Layers Damascus Powder Steel Sakumira Knife 8.5 inches8.5" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Xinzuo | 10Cr15CoMoV | $99.99 | -52 % | 95 |
Questions
Is VG10 better than 10Cr15CoMoV?
Not on paper: the two data sheets are nearly identical. The heat treatment and the grind of the knife matter more than which of the two names is on the listing.
Which is cheaper, VG10 or 10Cr15CoMoV?
In the survey of 14 November 2026, the median chef knife in the United States is $67 in 10Cr15CoMoV and $207 in VG10: 10Cr15CoMoV is the cheaper one by 209 %.
Which is easier to sharpen?
They sharpen alike: same carbon, same hardness range.