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Post by wnydel on Mar 3, 2011 13:18:56 GMT
Hi All,
I am a complete novice, but have always loved swords. I finally decided to get some real ones, but I have some questions regarding their care. I bought an accu-shapener because I wanted to use the most fool proof sharpening methond to start with. Will this cause any harm to the following blades: Cold Steel Chinese War Sword, Gross Messer and Hand-and-a- half. Hanwei Practical Kung-Fu Sword and Hanwei Practical Shinobi Ninja-to? I am also planning on getting the Cheness 9260 Tenchi Katana. From what I read, these have different sharpening requirements. Would the sharpener be a bad idea with that one? Thanks in advance for your help. BTW, I am leaving for vacation for a few days, I will be sure to check back in as soon as I get back.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 3, 2011 14:46:37 GMT
An accusharp can damage ANY sword with bad handling. An accusharp can also put a decent edge on any sword if used well. It won't be a pretty edge, but it'll work fine to give you a bottle-cutting edge. I would NOT use the Accusharp on any Asian swords though. The way they're built, a secondary bevel would just look absolutely hideous on them. It's slightly more acceptable on Western swords, though not by much. The best option is to get a wood block and some metal sandpaper, a clamp or two, and use that instead. Well, the 'best' is to use a proper stone and to spend a few years learning how to sharpen  but this works well enough for beginners. I know it's worked for me! |
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Mar 3, 2011 14:46:54 GMT
I have never tried one on a sword because it will, as I understand, ruin it. The edge of the sword is much different than that of a knife. On a knife the edge has a secondary bevel, which means that the blade starts flat, begins to taper, and then an edge known as the secondary bevel is added. This is the sharp part. On a sword the blade starts flat and then tapers completely to the edge with no secondary bevel, making the whole blade essentially the edge. This method makes the blade much sharper than it seems, and makes it strong enough to handle the stresses of cutting. Putting a secondary bevel on it will compromise the blade integrity. Other members here can give you even more details, but long story short, it may ruin your blade.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 3, 2011 14:49:55 GMT
By the way I'm not trying to seem elitist when I come down on the accusharp, in my opinion it does work to give an okay edge. However, as a.jordan says, swords' blade geometry (its shape basically) is different than knives, which are what accusharps are designed for.
It won't "ruin" your blade, but it does make for an ultimately inefficient geometry that won't use the sword's full cutting potential.
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Post by chrisperoni on Mar 3, 2011 16:54:08 GMT
The short answer is YES. To ALL of them. Read all of this thread (3 pages) to see how it can damage the blade: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1447&hilit=sharpen+dadaoThey can do a fine job at making a serviceable cuting edge if used properly but they ruin the blade geometry and make the edge prone to chipping. They will take a lot of metal off the edge. They are not fool proof. edit/add: for some reason my reply didn't post right away even though I wrote it just minutes after the OP (original post)- looks like others have given similar comments  In the past I had only ever sharpened pocket knives but just a couple of months ago I tried my hand at sharpening swords for the first time and after a bit of practice on one of my stainless steel slo's (sword like objects) I learned how to sharpen properly and the effort was well worth the time it took. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2011 18:29:27 GMT
Hey wnydel
Well i dont think it is a good idea to use it on asian swords. If you are going to buy a new sword it might be a good idea to ask the seller if they can sharpen it themselves. It might cost you 10 or 15 dollars more but it is a good option.
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Post by wnydel on Mar 8, 2011 22:01:07 GMT
Thanks all! Going to try the sandpaper tomorrow. One thing I should have mentioned is that I used the accu sharp on my war sword prior to asking the question... oh well, hopefully I didn't mess it up. Wish I would have thought to ask before I did that.
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Post by bleachsword on Mar 10, 2011 23:51:20 GMT
the swords mentioned should be ready to cut out of box from what i've herd maby just a light touch up with a fine grit waterproof siliocon carbide sandpaper (used wet of course)
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but this works well enough for beginners. I know it's worked for me!
