Japenese super steels- blue 2 / 3 white 2/3/4 yellow 2/3

painkilleraz

painkilleraz

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Jul 5, 2014
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As some may know by now, I love blades. In fact, most of us here do! So I have made it my goal to learn about every steel available and blade material and have tried hard to purchase or own knives in all of them. Obviously, being human I have my favorites - 5160 spring, D2, CPM 3V, CPM S35VN, AUS 8, N690 C, Sandvik 12C27, 14C28N, 1075, 1095, XC90 just to name a few. My favorite knives come in any one of these steels. All have proven function and amazing durability.

Recently I began searching harder into Japanese Super Steels- and found this, after purchasing two knives- one in blue 2 (shirogami) and the other in white 2 (arogami) I realized how beautiful these steels were.- I am going to be testing edge retention, etc., same as all my knives.

Will update on results with pictures and possibly video :)

Here is a great link to more info on these steels-


So here is the question, who has experience in it and what is your experience?
 
Blue #2 is going to have better edge retention at the expense of taking a SLIGHTY less acute edge. Obviously, it will be a little harder to sharpen too. With that said, the Blue will not hold an edge as long as some of the crazy high alloy steels and it won't require diamonds to sharpen it either. I have used a little bit of a similar German steel 1.2442/115W8 and have been pretty impressed.
 
To be precise they are quite straight plain carbon steel (shirogami or white steel) and low alloy tool steel(aogami or blue).
Commonly used for forged balde here in japan. I have a chisel with white and wood carving knivs with blue.
White takes verykeen edge with ease. Blue holds the edge better. Both are very common among Japanese wood working people.
 
Those steels, white, blue paper are just carbon steels. I don't think anyone would call them supersteels.
If you want "supersteels" from Japan I would think ZDP-189, Cowry-X, Cowry-Y,maybe 3G(SPGS) et al.
Many decades ago there were some knives from Japan that used SRS15 which at the time was remarkable.
 
Just for reference, Shirogami is White, Aogami is Blue.

Shirogami is a great steel, and Aogami Super YSS is a great steel, too.

Shirogami takes a fine edge.

Aogami Super YSS takes a fine edge and stays sharp for a long period of time.
 
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. This is why I ask, if I dont know...must ask right?

Perfect thank you!
 
I know that I'm a huge fan of Aogami Super Blue. One of my favorite steels for sure, now that I've been carrying, using and sharpening my SB Endura.

I should get my HAP40 Delica in a day or so. Very excited for that!
 
Awesome! See, this is what I needed to know, I am going to test the shit out of the knives I ordered and see how they hold up
 
You're going to love them. Super Blue takes a scary edge. When cutting with such an edge, you need to be gentle and careful; otherwise, you might way overdo it and cut more than you intended!
 
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