Thread: Japanese razor - Steel types

I just bought a Japanese KIYA ICHOGAKE JAPANESE KAMISORI STRAIGHT RAZOR



It seems that this is made of what is referred to as "Yellow Paper Steel"

I have done a cursory review online and it seems that there are different grades of steel in Japanese razors; Yellow Paper, White Paper & Blue Paper...can somebody explain what these mean and which is the best?

Welcome to SRP.

Hitachi metals make yellow, white and blue steels amongst others.
Yellow being the softest and blue the hardest. Usually blue and white are used for razors, but shave wise you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. White is slightly easier to hone but blue steel will retain an edge longer.
Yellow is mainly used for chef knives and woodworking tools.

@mark thanks man! Did I just waste my money? Is yellow steel a suitable solution for shaving?

I dont know much if anything about Kiya kamisoris but I'm sure it will be fine.
Post it in the Japanese straights club -http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor-clubs/30543-japanese-straights.html. Mainaman is very clued up and would be able to give you more info.

I have 5 kamisoris and absolutely love them. You strop them like a western razor and check out gssixguns youtube video on honing them.