Wow, after getting my HT down for this steel, and working on my first Blue#2 Gyuto I found a new hidden cost in using this steel. My HT ended up around HRC 64 and my first surprise was to find that grinding after heat treat was almost impossible (granted, I am using a 1x30 belt sander!). My regular Blaze belts at 60 and 120 grit did almost nothing, just danced across leaving wispy scratches. Norax U264 finer belts the same- almost no effect. Fortunately I had a couple Norton R984 220 grit ceramic belts I bought a while back but didn't use that handled it pretty well- but they didn't last long! Even my trusty fine scotchbrite belt that has been providing a nice satin finish with other steels didn't do much here.
Then, I went to refine the bevels with a 250 grit water stone- took a long time but worked well- until I finished and noticed my stone had a nice saddle shape! Must have removed 1/8 inch! Have done same process with 52100 without removing much of the stone surface at all. This was even much harder to work with then CPM 154 stainless.
So, end result was great- sharpest cutting edge I have ever been able to achieve- and I have a feeling it will last a long time! But, I think I may stick to 52100 as my primary steel for exploring new designs.
Then, I went to refine the bevels with a 250 grit water stone- took a long time but worked well- until I finished and noticed my stone had a nice saddle shape! Must have removed 1/8 inch! Have done same process with 52100 without removing much of the stone surface at all. This was even much harder to work with then CPM 154 stainless.
So, end result was great- sharpest cutting edge I have ever been able to achieve- and I have a feeling it will last a long time! But, I think I may stick to 52100 as my primary steel for exploring new designs.
