Thread: Kamisori steel choice?

I think you was right to go with the blue #2
Found some more info:
Yasuki steel
A Japanese steel derived from iron sand which is known to be traditionally used in the making of the nihonto. Hitachi metals used a similar iron sand to produce a material called Yasuki steel originating in the mountain ranges of China.

Yasuki steel can be divided into white, yellow, blue and silver.

White steel
100% iron sand, has a few impurities such as phosphorus & sulphur.
Yellow steel
50% iron sand. Contains much more impurities than white steel.
Blue steel
White steel mixed with chrome, tungsten & Carbon properties.
Silver steel
A type of stainless steel. Highly resistant to rust, but dulls rapidly.

White steel is traditionally said to create the sharpest blade. The more pure the carbon steel is, it is harder to work as a metal. Additionally, it must be cooled rapidly or it will not produce the true potential of hardness. As a metalsmith, it is a steel which becomes a show of skill level to work with.
Blue steel is white steel mixed with chrome & tungsten. The mixture improves workability, while the carbon helps it stay hard & sharp, its properties can be compared to new ceramic material.

Ratings of the Yasuki steel go from 1 to 3. 1 is hardest while 3 contains more impurities, however, 1 chips easier. The softest is 3 yellow Yasuki steel & hardest is super blue (one above 1 blue steel).

It took a bit of work, but I got it shaving! I had to take out some chips in the toe and under magnification, I saw the bevels weren't fully set. I added some electrical tape and honed to make sure I got the bevels meeting (there was some hone wear showing from the chip removal stage). Went up to my Nakayama I just got and it was a nice edge, then went to my Ozuka Asagi and got a more polished edge! Stropped on leather and shaved. Did a full 3 pass progression, cheeks were nice and smooth, neck wasn't all that great, which is normal for me. Even with DE's, it takes several passes and different angles to get the neck smooth. Even was able to get my chin and upper lip passable! It was tree topping arm hairs reluctantly after this, so I stropped it on some .25 micron spray on Balsa and that really make it tree top hairs easier! Can't wait to try the next shave with it!

Kamisori are a different breed of cat. Sharpen like a chisel.
Glen has two great videos:
gssixgun Kamisori part 1.wmv - YouTube