Blue or white?

[Ironwoodownr]

I am fairly new to steel and would like to learn more about all the different steels in the world. (I know barely anything). There are so many but right now I would like to know which steel is preferred for a deba knife. I plan on getting a deba knife for breaking down fish but should I get white or blue steel?

 

[Wowbagger]

I have been told here that White can be as wear resistant or more so than blue by very reliable and experienced knife sharpeners. Well one any way.

From a woodworking back ground I am still not sure I'm buying that . . . in theory the Blue tends more toward modern alloy steel designed to be more abrasion/wear resistant when cutting harder and more abrasive wood due to minerals drawn into the wood when a live tree.

So
check this out.

Got a gritty scaly fish ? Have access to modern man made sharpening stones ? Then Blue.

Got fish that are softer and that require the sharpest of edges ? (the blue gets as sharp but is not as quick and easy to touch up once slightly dulled). Want an easily sharpened blade ? Have natural sharpening stones made out of old rocks from a quarry ? Then White.

To be fair I really, really like White and the way it feels when sharpening and when cutting.

I have and use Blue because I like the particular tool and it only came in Blue . . . but they do wear better.

Knife = White



Chisel = Blue



Bottom line buy the knife you like; that speaks to you.

I'll put up some photos if Photobucket ever lllllllllloooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaad???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!s