A cobalt-bearing premium grade prized for a hard, durable edge — a step beyond ordinary stainless.
ATS-314 is a cobalt-bearing high-carbon stainless that sits firmly in premium territory. It’s closely related to the well-known ATS-34 family used in fine cutlery, tuned for the demands of a hairdressing edge.
The cobalt content lets ATS-314 be hardened a touch higher than plain stainless — often HRC 60–63 — and crucially it stays tough at that hardness rather than turning brittle. The payoff is a fine edge that lasts, and a clean, crisp cut that precision stylists notice on blunt baselines and detail work.
Think of ATS-314 as a peer of VG-10 with a slightly different character — many cutters feel it holds a hard edge especially well. It’s a genuine premium grade, used where a maker wants long edge life without moving all the way to a full cobalt alloy or powder steel.
Yasaka offers ATS-314 on its premium cutting models above the 440C core, Kamisori uses it across much of its range, and Kasho employs cobalt-bearing premium grades in its top lines. If you want a hard, long-lasting edge and you’re past the VG-10 stage, ATS-314 is worth seeking out.