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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 21:19:18 GMT
In a previous thread created by another member, touching up an edge was discussed. However, this appears to be a more appropriate section of the forum for that discussion. Anyways, I have a Hanwei Tinker Norman with a dull edge. The blade geometry seems to be fine, but it is not sharp. What sandpaper should I use to sharpen the blade, and should I draw the sandpaper across the blade perpendicular to the edge? Thank you for your time and help.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 22:05:55 GMT
Tom's famous sharpening thread is usually referenced for his belt-sander badassery, but it actually begins with video instructions for good old sandpaper sharpening.
/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=403&page=3#155365
His concepts are about as sound as they come for getting a consistently sharp edge over the length of the sword-- though for safety, I'd recommend clamping the blade down and moving the paper, rather than the other way around. It might take longer, but there's less chance of cutting the crap out of your fingers. The Norman dismantles, right? If it does you can strip it down and work with the bare blade for better control. He recomments 3M sandpaper, which is great stuff, and it does indeed move it perpendicularly, like stropping a barber's razor. I've sharpened a couple of factory dull blades with a series from 400, 800, 1000, 2000 grit, but there's no way all of that is necessary for just touching up your Hanwei Tinker edge. To be honest, I don't know quite which grit you should work with--the only time I've "touched up" an insufficient edge that wasn't completely dull from scratch was a Hanwei Renaissance Side Sword, which I THINK has the same sort of polish as the Tinker line (fuller is mirror polished, though). However, I didn't do the whole sandpaper shenanigans, so I can't give you a grit list. I used a multisided foam shaping tool that's meant for fingernails (it says "Shape" "Buff", "Polish", etc on it) and did so as a bit of an experiement/whim. It did work pretty well, but I was only sharpening the last few inches, not the whole sword, and I got the thing pretty well expired by the end. Sword slices paper cleanly, now.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 22:06:48 GMT
Hey there, Jonathan. Depending on just how dull it is, you may need to start out with a diamond file before you move up to sandpaper. The strokes you want to use should be a combination of lengthwise (guard to tip) and perpendicular (center to edge). I believe that ShooterMike has a pretty good tutorial on sharpening euros somewhere around here...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 23:45:06 GMT
Although I use diamond bench stones I found the tutorial Tom did very useful. I think it was about 20 min. If you can find it all of your questions should be covered. Just remember to be patient, don't press too hard, let whatever medium your using do all the work. Take breaks. The edge will emerge. Good luck.
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Post by genocideseth on Nov 7, 2009 0:15:32 GMT
I once used a flat stone to sharpen a Katana. I found it in my yard. (The stone, not the sword). I imagine a stone of better quality would do be much more effective. Just keep the blade at the right angle, and keep the stone wet (Water or oil). It is not too hard to mess up on. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 0:59:19 GMT
If you are going to be using sandpaper or some sort of stone, the blades bevel should be flat up against whatever you are sharpening. Tom goes into great detail on this in his video: /index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=403&page=3#155365 The first two vids are for hand sharpening, which some find relaxing. If hand sharpening is not your thing, just keep scrolling down and you'll see the bit on the belt sander with a link to all the places he got his belts/sander from. I went ahead and purchased the belt sander as well as some sanding belts and the leather strop as I don't find the whole hand sharpening to be very therapeutic
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Post by seansword on Dec 1, 2009 9:53:06 GMT
I agree you could use a belt sander or a file and then I would use sand paper of various grit to get the scratches out from the initial sharpening. you can't use sand paper with your hand unless your very experienced because you will just dull the edge more so I also agree you should have the sand paper flat and fixed so not to move around this will give you a very sharp edge if you keep your angles the same every time. If you do use a belt sander don't let your blade get too hot.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2009 10:19:52 GMT
I once used a flat stone to sharpen a Katana. I found it in my yard. (The stone, not the sword). I imagine a stone of better quality would do be much more effective. Just keep the blade at the right angle, and keep the stone wet (Water or oil). It is not too hard to mess up on. ;D I used a whetstone recently to touch up my VA/Atrim Arming sword. It's now ooga booga scary sharp Ditto with Seth on the importance of the angle of your blade when sharpening. Don't get complacent! (I guess that goes for anything involving sharp pointy things)
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