Swords are more than just costume accessories or one-of-a-kind wall decorations for many individuals. They are lovely curios that come in so many various sizes and designs that it is difficult not to collect them.
A keen edge is part of the attraction of a sword, whether you have one or numerous. This edge may get dull over time and require sharpening. While working on a blade that has traditionally been used as a weapon might be intimidating, there are safe and practical techniques to maintain your sword looking like new. In this article, we’ll show you how to sharpen your sword using simple tools.
Do You Need to Sharpen Your Sword?
It is critical to think about and reflect on why you are honing your blade. Is it truly necessary? If you have a sword for practice or fun, I highly advise you not to sharpen it. I have seen firsthand how easy a tiny error may lead to long-term catastrophic tissue damage. My friend dropped a shiny new sword and instinctively rushed out to collect it. Before he knew what had occurred, the sword had dropped hilt-first on the floor, and his attempt to grasp it had resulted in his arm being impaled on the tip. Years later, he still has a scar that aches to touch. This might have been much worse.What if he had knelt to get it?
I don’t want to be patronizing – you’re an adult who is accountable for everything you do – but please consider the risks before honing a blade.
It’s also worth noting that a sword may be made that is far too sharp for practical usage. A katana, or any other type of cutting sword, does not have to be razor sharp. During fight, an extremely honed blade would frequently cause less damage to an opponent, likely to glance off bone and chip. In the same circumstances, a well honed sword will remove a limb.
If you suspect that the sword is not sharp enough, the easiest method to test it is to cut with it using the proper techniques.If you want to toughen up the edge of your newly acquired sword, use a tiny piece of steel-grade abrasive paper and some water. Run the piece of paper along the length of the blade at a 30-degree angle, then repeat the operation on the other side. This removes extremely minor burs and notches and is frequently enough to restore the blade to the appropriate sharpness.
How To Sharpen Your Sword?
STEP 1: DRAW THE BLUNT EDGE
Begin by cleaning the sword down with a thick cloth to remove any oil, dust, or residue that has collected since you last sharpened it. To avoid inadvertently cutting oneself, carefully glide the cloth down the blade without applying pressure.
Once the blade is clean, place it on a table and place a block of wood at the tip to raise it. Apply even strokes to one side of the blade at a 30-degree angle with a metal file. Depending on the length of the blade, split it into halves or thirds and work on one portion at a time. To guarantee an equal filing, alternate sides after every few strokes.
Stop filing whenever you see an edge appear. Your purpose at this phase is just to remove metal until the edge is revealed. It will be extremely rough at this point, but don’t worry, you’ll sharpen it later.
STEP 2: BLADE SHARPENING ON A WHETSTONE
Whetstones are available in a variety of grit levels, ranging from extremely coarse (200 and below) to extremely fine (8000). A medium grit of 1000 to 1500 should enough for sharpening swords.
To lubricate the whetstone and encourage greater sharpening, apply a little coating of honing oil. (This oil is available at most sporting goods and gun shops.) If you’re using a Japanese water stone, use water instead of oil as a lubricant.
After you’ve lubricated the stone’s surface, use smooth, regular strokes and steady pressure to run the blade back and forth across it at a 30-degree angle. Wear protective gloves to protect your hands when sharpening a two-sided blade.
Divide the blade length into pieces and sharpen each side with the same amount of strokes, switching the blade after every few strokes to keep the sharpening process uniform.
Check in on a regular basis to see whether an edge is forming. You may also test the blade by wiping away the oil or water and observing if it cuts through a sheet of paper smoothly. If it rips or shreds the paper, you’ll need to sharpen it again.
When sharpening, the oil will get stained owing to blade and stone residue. When this happens, wipe it from the stone and reapply the oil.
STEP 3: EDGE BLENDING
To integrate the edge with the rest of the sword, tear or cut a 2″x2″ piece of 400-grit sandpaper and run it up and down both sides of the blade at a 30-degree angle. When you’re through, wipe the blade clean with a damp towel to remove any remaining oil, residue, or metal shavings. You should be thorough since uncleaned residue might cause rust to build on the blade. When finished, wipe it down with a clean towel.
Tip: You can also use this procedure to deburr your sword and touch up the edge if it becomes dull due to repeated use.
STEP 4: USE A BLADE SHARPENER TO SHORTCUT
If you are new to sharpening swords or do not feel comfortable doing so by hand, you can purchase a blade sharpening tool. They may not provide as fine an edge as hand sharpening, but they are a fantastic way for beginners to securely keep their swords in good shape. They are frequently sold in sports goods stores, culinary supply stores, or on niche websites geared at sword collectors.
Place the tool on a stable and stable surface. Depending on the model, it may be connected to a vise, clamped to your worktable, or not fastened at all. Make sure you read and understand the sharpener’s directions.
When you’re ready, sharpen the sword using the sharpening tool. Begin at the bottom and draw the blade through the V-shaped notch with even strokes to get an evenly sharp edge. Spend around 10 minutes honing each side of the blade as a general guideline, although sharpening time varies each tool, so consult the literature.
When finished, wash off the blade with a damp towel to remove any residue and then dry it to prevent rust from forming on the blade.
TIPS:
- When sharpening your swords, be exceedingly cautious and move slowly. Wear gloves and plan to work when there will be few distractions to lessen the likelihood of an accident.
- When sharpening an ancient sword, seek the assistance of a professional. Otherwise, you risk undermining its worth.
- If you’ve never sharpened a sword before, start with an inexpensive stainless steel ornamental model.
- If you don’t have the appropriate experience, don’t use power equipment to sharpen swords. Not only is it potentially harmful, but the friction can overheat the blade, causing it to lose its form.
If you want to know how to sharpen a machete, click here!