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HRC Hardness Band Comparison — China 440C vs Japanese 440C vs VG10
Visual scale of MATSUOPRO’s three disclosed hardness bands. Scale runs 50-65 HRC (the practical range for hair-scissor steels).
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| Tier | HRC | Composition | Typical Resharpen Interval | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China 440C | 56-58 | C 0.95-1.20% / Cr 16-18% | ~3-4 months | Entry / value line |
| Japanese 440C | 57-59 | C 0.95-1.20% / Cr 16-18%, verified per batch | Targets upper end of 3-4 mo. range | Mid-premium sweet spot |
| VG10 | 60-62 | ~C 1.0% / Cr 15% / Co 1.5% / V 0.2% | ~5-8 months | Premium |
Composition per ASTM A276 / EN 10088 / JIS G4303 440C standards; resharpen intervals per independent stylist cost-of-ownership data referenced on this page. Same 440C alloy composition can land anywhere in the 54-60 HRC range depending on heat-treatment process control — the bands above reflect MATSUOPRO’s disclosed, batch-verified targets for each tier, not a universal industry guarantee.
Download Japanese vs China 440C Comparison Sheet →
