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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 15:18:15 GMT
Hey! In few days I will receive my sword back and I'm preparing tools needed for polishing and sharpening. I thinking about using leather stropping technique to make my tenchi razor sharp. I have found this nice peace of leather in my garage. What I want to ask is should I use it as big as it is now or split into two ~6cm width parts? I had done sharpening with leather only on knifes before so I not sure what would be more convenient and more effective then stropping the katana. I have just finished making my polishing stand and I'm considering to attach leather to it with epoxy, so thanks for your suggestions.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 16:29:18 GMT
I'd like to add the question:
where on earth do I get pieces of leather like this and that "jeweler's rouge" people talk about. Don't bother saying:
a) hardware stores. Where I live hardware stores don't sell that kind of stuff b) jeweler's supply stores. That type of store doesn't even exist where I live.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 16:51:19 GMT
I'd like to add the question: where on earth do I get pieces of leather like this and that "jeweler's rouge" people talk about. Don't bother saying: a) hardware stores. Where I live hardware stores don't sell that kind of stuff b) jeweler's supply stores. That type of store doesn't even exist where I live. Yea I understand you. The same thing is for me. I got everything I need from ebay before leaving UK. Then talking about jewelers rouge I believe ebay is the only way. In Europe it is kind a hard to find it anywhere else. As for leather. This I can say can be more or less difficult. The best choice would be to look on ebay for brown plain leather (no ornaments or other stuff, just natural leather) second hand belt (pants belt). You also can check second hand stores if you have ones in your country for these belts. The thing is that leather have to be tough and natural and it will do for stropping. I hope this helps a bit.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 17:00:34 GMT
No offence, but shipping from USA are usually too expensive to begin with. And don't forget main question
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jun 18, 2009 17:03:19 GMT
try doing a web search for Tandy Leather. I think Tandy is still in business anyway. they used to have brick and morter stores but they closed all those down in favor of internet business. what you want is vegatable tanned leather and I'm going to guess 6 to 8 ounce thickness. basically look for plain belt leather.
for the above piece of leather I don't see why not to use it in a bigger piece at first and see how you like it. after all you can cut it smaller but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to cut something bigger. sounds like you got a good setup with epoxy and a stand and all.
I use a one inch wide belt on a belt sander and that gets my blades razor-stupid sharp. of course you have to get it pretty darn sharp before you put it on the leather or you'll be at it forever with the leather and it won't be very sharp still.
I use sand paper starting at 400-500 grit and go down to 1500 or 2000 grit before I strop. make sure you work off the wire edge before stropping or you're wasting time too. as soon as you break off the wire edge or burr edge move to your leather. this will give you great results. good luck.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 17:12:26 GMT
Thanks. As tenchi is pretty sharp already, I'm thinking to fine it with 9micron sanding paper (can't get any finer dang) and then go to leather. Still need to fix kisaki though.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 21:35:29 GMT
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jun 18, 2009 22:03:31 GMT
thats the tandy leather I was talking about. thanks Randy, I knew someone would have the link. +1 for you.
9 micron is about 1200-1500 grit and should be fine for your step before leather. I use 20 micron to start 9 micron to finish and leather to strop. but that's on a belt sander so you might want a few grit steps between when working by hand.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2009 23:26:12 GMT
oh nice. Now all I need is a good beltgrinder. I'm sick and tired of doing the wet'n'dry method for hours on end.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jun 19, 2009 5:14:35 GMT
harbor freight has a nice little one inch belt grinder. dig through my youtube videos (sorry I can't link now) and you'll find all sorts of info on just how sharp I've gotten my swords with it and also where to get the machine I have and the belts I use. I think I also have it posted in the sharpening and polishing sticky in the general discussions forum.
if you cannot find it in two weeks or so I'll be able to help more, but I'm mostly off-line until then
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2009 15:45:47 GMT
The jewlers rouge I have is labeled "Tandy Leather Factory", ebay is the way to go for this. Pretty much any old untreated brown leather belt will work. Check your thrift stores. Goodevil, that piece of leather you have should be fine, just nail it to something heavy.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jun 20, 2009 2:56:48 GMT
ok here is some linkage to the vids I was talking about"
you will find web site info in the description of the first vide (thus I linked to the youtube vid instead of imbedding it here)
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