Posts: 1,973 Location: Nipmuc USA
Fri 28 Jul, 2006 6:01 am
Sharpening and maintaining an edge can be a tough skill to communicate in writing. Not only are there a great many methods that work; very often, each type of blade crossection may not respond well to all techniques.
The Accusharp™ gizmos are a good addition to any tool kit but require a very light and steady hand if they are the type with carbide inserts. Quite light strokes willl take very small amounts of steel from an edge. I use them at the other extreme of the spectrum to rough in an edge (much like draw filing). This beginning, I later smooth with stones or diamond plates.
These carbide tools are easy to misuse and the initial results may well be dissapointing. The carbide rippers can remove vast amounts of metal pretty quickly. You need to keep the plane of the grip directly in line with the edge or one side gets ripped more than the other. With a very light and steady hand, they can certainly do a great job for touch ups.
There are also tools with two ceramic or diamond coated inserts that are applied very much the same way but remove metal much more slowly. The disadvantage to any of the V type systems is the apex angle may not match what you are working on.
I changed over to diamond coated plates for most work. A DMT™ 3×6 coarse has become my primary sword sharpener and a small pocket EZ-LAP™ for light touch ups. I also have a pocket size ceramic rod that has flats of coarser surface. I've been fine tuning edges with it for 30 years.
Something I keep meaning to try for swords but have not, is the back of a toilet tank lid. The unglazed edges should work quite efficiently for honing and would work well if secured to a table top or bench. Basically, moving standard knife sharpening tecnique up to sword length blades.
Sharpening is a great skill set to learn and keep experimenting with. Katana, even production ones, can be a challenge but light touch ups are no big deal. Maintaining an edge is vastly easier than creating one. One needs to understand the concepts and where to start.
I don't have a link handy but there are some great online tutorials for this subject. A Google search for Sharpening Guide will bring many of them up. Most forums that include blade discussion have a few threads and there are some quite diverse techniques that get the job done.
I roughed and honed an edge on a blade just last night in about half an hour. It was typical India (read that as Windlass but it is perhaps not) grind that does not quite give one a best final angle to work with. From non-sharp to paper slicing in a short amount of time. Tools used were a carbide insert Accusharp™ and a diamond DMT™ 3×6 coarse plate.
I would have used a file but I couldn't find my file handle, the handiest mill was plugged with soft stuff because I hadn't carded it (and it takes longer plus other excuses). I'll be going back to refine things over time. Blending the bevel and
polishing. The major grunt work is done.
If one is unfamiliar with any type of sharpening, it is prudent not to start praticing on a blade you cherish. Draw filing and other techniques can be practiced on virtually any length of steel. Try various methods of sharpening and fine tuning on your kitchen knives, or pocket knives. Expand knowledge of the skill set and apply experience to longer lengths.
Cheers and happy sharpening, it is good keen fun!
GC