Thread: Timor Blue Steel 150 question

Some years ago Shapton introduced an additional run of their glass stones and IIRC, they were for 'blue' steel, or maybe it was the white steel ......... but they were different than the original run. At the time I inquired as to what the difference between the blue and white was and never got a satisfactory answer. This thread certainly clears that up for me.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

In metallurgy, Blue Steel means that the steel was tempered to 590 degrees F.
Other common steels are indigo steel at 540 degrees, straw steel at 400 degrees, and green steel at 650 degrees.
Once quenched and polished they all "look" the same to the naked eye, but have different properties.

And here's a picture of common colors and temperatures:
Attachment 171653

To be very carefully clear...these colors are oxides that occur during the tempering cycle of heat treatment. This is not the "tempered steel" nomenclature where a tempered bar was a hardened bar. Properly phrased it should read "hardened and tempered."

A blue color, of this type of example, would be too soft to be a useful razor.

For the Timor razor, I would suggest that Blue Steel is another of the marketing labels so often bent to suit the sellers purposes.

Originally Posted by JimmyWetshaver

...Off topic one of my favorite steels used in the manufacture of razors wwas actually utilized in the making of gun barrels and that is bohlersteel. Razors made with this steel seem to take a stellar edge for me and offer a fantastic shave. As Niel pointed out, much fodder, but interesting to discuss none the less.

Bohler-Uddeholm is a Swedish steel company, not just a type of steel. I use their raw materials for blades I make whenever possible. Their quality is exceptional.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Bohler-Uddeholm is a Swedish steel company, not just a type of steel. I use their raw materials for blades I make whenever possible. Their quality is exceptional.

I've got an old NOS Solingen with 'Bohler * Extra' stamped on the reverse tang !