Quote Originally Posted by Kees View Post
Even using the razor on both sides is an entirely different experience. The steel is very different.

As So explained to me it is the Japanese forging process that creates smaller crystals. With the smaller crystals you get a sharper cutting edge.
Japanese steel is also, generally, more pure than the western varieties.

As for smaller crystals, the metallurgical processes that create smaller crystals in the steel's microstructure can be used/manipulated with any steel. There are limits as to how fine the grains can get, though. If you make them too small, the steel becomes very difficult to heat treat correctly.

Surely, though, if any razorsmith is at the cutting edge of metallurgical knowledge and practice, it is Iwasaki san.