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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 3:10:32 GMT
hello everyone. i just got my practical plus xl, and when i picked it up i was very impressed at the geometry size and how well its put together. OK so i say to myself paul chens not just all hype. then i had my first cutting session with it and once again very impressed. now here's where the mixed emotions come in. i know that all there swords have acid etching on there hamon, and no matter what when you are cutting mats, tameshigiri your going to have some light and fine scratches so i began to polish them out and the hamon started getting lighter so i stopped and i couldn't believe it, I'm very disappointed because part of proper cutting involves the surface of the blade and if every time i try to polish and bring up the blades edge this happens there's going to be a 6in blank spot on the blade, i used 2000 grit water paper . will you guys explain to me what i should do because my other swords aren't acid etched so I've never run into this before. if anyone has any knowledge on how to correct this problem please let me know.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 3:28:31 GMT
Etching. Wipe the blade with vinegar, then use some kind of polishing compound on it. I wouldn't want to have to do this every time, though. You may want to just polish the whole thing so that the hamon is subtle down the whole blade. Sorry mate, but some hamon just don't show up much.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 5:24:31 GMT
so what exactly does the vinegar do so ill know what to look for when i do it, and i hate to have to polish down such a great piece. considering how well it cuts, will it discolor the blade, also i wonder how the blade will look if i do that and will it take away from the performance. i shouldn't have to do that to a sword from such reputable co.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2009 1:32:55 GMT
The vinegar rusts the surface of the steel. Not in a bad way though. The harder edge, which is of a different crystal structure will react differently than the rest of the blade. You'll polish off most of the rust created by this. They say sandpaper smears it, but I used some 1000 or 2000 grit sandpaper on my Musashi Takeo after etching and it looks pretty good. This should not take away from performance unless you mangle the edge while polishing.
The hamon is enhanced by a similar process by the company to make it look better. It's not necessary, but there's nothing wrong with this. When you sand it, you remove the rust/corrosion that makes it look better. (Don't worry, btw, this rust is harmless.) If you're going to use the sword, it's going to get marked up. That's not really avoidable. It looks like you have to choose between a more subtle hamon, or a nicked up blade. That is unless you want to polish, etch, polish, every time you use it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2009 2:49:31 GMT
thanks, you kinda hit the nail on the head on the purpose. i bought it to use knowing it would get usage wear, i just didn't think this was going to be the issue that i would be facing, i thought about the etching coming off when i bought it but i took the chance, i still love it. ill just go with my original plan and get the shinto for my #1 baby, i have the musashi ski dragon also the 4500 damascus ume blossom as my lookers right know. so i'm still happy. (LOL).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2009 23:50:14 GMT
Hello Reggie
I have to agree with Steve in that you sort of have to make a decision to how you want your blade to look and the upkeep that your going to put into that. I don't really like the "frosted" hamon and have polished it out and then re-etched the blades with vinegar. It can be time consuming but you can get some really nice results. I've got a practical plus elite that gets a fair amount of use from me and its the only sword I have that ill let others use. I've got this blade in such a state that I can easily fix cosmetic issues and sharpen it with little effort back to a level Im happy with. I hope that makes sense. lol
The experience you'll get when working on the blades is great as if you ever encounter a problem in the future it will be less of a big deal. Id rather have a sword that I feel comfortable using than one that I'm too precious over.
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