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Post by otis on Jul 13, 2011 19:51:25 GMT
Greetings to the knowledgeable people of SBG. I have been lurking around the forums reading on all topics and have found a vast amount of valuable information.
As the subject stated I am new to the world of swords and have a couple questions.
Last year I purchased a Musashi Katana, nothing special but not a bad starting place. I started taking it out in the spring to do cutting of some bottles and some mats. After each cutting session (or once a month whichever comes first) I oil the blade, just this week I noticed 2 issues on the blade. 1: A small amount of fine rust, not deep pitting or into the grain, just some light surface rust. What is the best way to correct this?
2: I also noticed some slight edge roll, not terrible, but I would prefer to repair it. Again what is the best route to correct this.
My final question if in regards to Kult of Athena. I am planning to order from them and was wondering if anyone has had any issues (duties etc.) getting their products through customs into Canada.
Thanks in advance, sorry if these questions have been already been covered.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jul 13, 2011 20:32:00 GMT
Ahoy, glad to have you. As for your questions. 1. Some polishing paste, like Metal Glo or Mothers Aluminum and Mag should do it. If not, some very fine sandpaper will work. 2. A very fine stone should work. I used one and it worked well, but you should see if someone else has any better advise before you try. 3.I've heard from several of my neighbors from the great north that Kult of Athena is the best to order through as to shipping to Canada and not getting stuck-up on shipping.
I hope this helps.
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Post by Maynar on Jul 13, 2011 21:28:36 GMT
Hi Otis:
1. I would try just cleaning the blade before attempting to use a polishing paste. A little rubbing alcohol (99%) to clean the blade followed by a bit of LIGHT mineral oil, applied with a cotton cloth (old T-shirts work for me). If that doesn't work, then use a polishing paste. There are two reasons I suggest cleaning first. A) you should be cleaning the blade this way after every cutting session anyway, and B) polishing paste might fade the hamon somewhat. No abrasives involved in cleaning, so try that first. If the rust is still there, try a polish. Mother's is the least abrasive, followed by Metal Glo. Remember to clean the blade again (as above) after using the polish.
2. Can't comment, I have no experience in that regard.
3. KoA is definitely the way to go. Canada Post may occasionally (not every time) ding you with a small customs fee upon delivery, but with KoA's lowest price guarantee and best shipping rates to Canada, you'll still come out ahead of just about any other vendor. Don't forget Canada Post is still currently sorting through a huge backlog of mail at the moment, due to the recent postal strike. That issue will no doubt go away eventually.
Cheers
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Jul 14, 2011 0:31:56 GMT
hit it with never dull. i had a WW2 german hitler youth knife and the entire blade was BLACK wit thick corrosion, i hit it with never dull and now its shiny in most parts, with only the deep pitting remaining, you can even see the words engraved into it and everything. i love never dull, and i dont think its very abrasive at all, less than mothers mag i know that. it will eat that rust like Pac Man eats Quarters.
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Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
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Post by Greg on Jul 14, 2011 0:46:39 GMT
Welcome! Glad you stopped lurking and came out into the light. Sometimes it feels like we are about to get invaded with all the lurkers about. 1: Ok, the other guys have done a pretty good job of answering this one. Either of tho's compounds will work and can be picked up at your local auto parts store. If you don't have the exact brand up in Canada, just ask a sales rep for something to polish shiney metal with... like an old fender. But this only solves the symptoms of the problem and doesn't really address the problem itself. In the years I've been around here, it sounds like you are using something like WD-40 to oil your blade with. If this is the case, stop. WD-40 works great for some things, but not on swords. If you are using some other sort of oil, it sounds like you are wiping to much of it off. Granted, you don't want to leave the blade dripping with oil, but you'll want to see a light coat of oil when you are all said and done. I hope this helps. 2. The safest way I could recommend is to use a leather strop. Lemme find the video of another cutter who does it better... So basically, just take a strip of leather and rub that edge back out. But if the edge has a steep roll, you'll likely need to go to stones or high grit sand paper. 3. I haven't heard of any issues with KoA and shipping to Canada.
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Post by Sir Tre on Jul 14, 2011 4:12:00 GMT
hi Otis, glad to meet you. every one here will offer you great advise. that said, i would like to help you to keep the problem form happening again.... number one is the rust issue... it sounds like (to me) that you may not be performing the post cut ritual. after you cut any target series... especially water bottles... you have to wipe the blade with a dry cloth, then a cloth or paper towel saturated in 70-90 % alcohol, followed by dry cloth again, then a cloth saturated in a good blade oil ( i prefer gun oil) do not use wd 40 as it is more solvent lessoil and does crummy for a storage coating. 2. as for edge roll, you will receive great advise from everyone here on fixing it, so i will address preventing it... the best way is edge alignment. practice dry cutting ( cutting the air without target) listen for swish sound... the sound the blade makes when the air whisps thru the fullers groove when the blade is moved in a way the the edge and spine are aligned in a direct path with each other. this should help. the average rolled edge can happen when the alignment is off slightly enough that the edge contact is skew enough it causes a bad cut but not bad enough to notice with the naked eye.
hope this helps
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Post by Enkidu on Jul 14, 2011 17:44:02 GMT
About the postal strike in Canada and the back log. By monday everything is suppose to be fine, we have a close relashionship with Canada post where i work and those are the last infos we got yesterday.
And yes, KoA is definitly a good option for posting here.
You might want to check out with Reliks a canadian based vendor, sometimes ( depending on the product you are looking for ) they offer competitive prices if you take in account the shipping and customs fees.
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Post by Maynar on Jul 14, 2011 19:55:06 GMT
I hope so, but I ordered one of Slavia's wallets in June. It left Cincinnati on the 29th headed for me, and it hasn't been seen/scanned since.
I really hope they get their poop in a pile soon.
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Post by Enkidu on Jul 14, 2011 20:48:45 GMT
One of their manager told me yesterday that they would have cleared all their back logged stuff across the country by monday, they were still 4millions pieces late. I told my customers to wait until wednesday I just ordered a sword from UK , i too frankly hope he was right !
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 14, 2011 21:02:49 GMT
Hello Otis,
Whereabouts in our Great White North do you live? (if ya don't mind me asking)
I have been ordering stuff online from across the border and from overseas since the 90's so if you have any specific questions lemme know!
Otherwise it seems you have been given all the right answers so far to your questions. Be aware though that any polishing of your blade will make the finish a bit uneven and you'll likely have to work the whole blade a bit to keep things uniform.
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Post by Sir Tre on Jul 15, 2011 4:28:57 GMT
great advise
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Post by otis on Jul 18, 2011 16:45:47 GMT
Have been busy with work so I haven't been able to make it back till today but I must say thanks for all the replies, I'm blown away. An average forum would only get a couple replies at most for a "noob" like myself. Excellent advice all around, I was unaware that I should be using rubbing alcohol in my cleaning process (Thanks Maynar and Sir Tre). Excellent video Greg, I had been watching some of that gentlemans youtube videos but apparently didn't get to that one yet. I have never used WD-40 on my blade, currently I use choji oil that came in the cleaning kit and I do believe I have been applying proper amount, the reason for the recent rust issue is more due to my stupidity than anything. After a very warm and humid day I cleaned and oiled the blade but not before letting it sit for a while. Usually I finish cutting and promptly clean the blade, however on this occasion the blade sat for a good 45 minutes, I am assuming that is the reason. chrisperoni I am in Saskatchewan, aka the middle of nothingness. Once again thanks for all the replies, if I didn't reply to you directly, no offense intended, your post was perfect and needed no reply I shall try out all of your suggestions and report back, let you know how it turned out.
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Post by otis on Jul 19, 2011 6:27:13 GMT
Alright folks, so after cleaning the blade thoroughly with rubbing alcohol most of the rust was gone, I had also picked up some Mothers polish and it cleaned the remainder of the small rust spots right up, also did one hell of a job bringing the blade back to how it looked when I purchased it. I have yet to gather the materials to repair the edge roll but I will report back when I get that done. I am also browsing Kult of Athenas website, anyone want to lend me a couple thousand dollars? Far too much good product on there, I want it all!
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Post by rjodorizzi on Jul 19, 2011 21:55:14 GMT
Otis,
I know what you mean I've ordered 2 of my production blades through KOA and have never been disappointed. Their shipping has always been fast, granted I live close to the warehouse, and their customer service is top notch. While I can't say anything regarding the shipping to Canada, I can highly recommend them as a vendor. Good luck with your purchase!
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Post by otis on Aug 19, 2011 19:01:29 GMT
So I ordered from KoA. Just arrived today. Bought the Hanwei tactical waki, and the Musashi Jurrai. Got dinged 25 dollars for border fees(damn borders). First impressions, the Tactical Waki, butter knife dull lots of rattle and the saya is loooooooose, hold it up and flick the handle with a finger lightly and the saya slides right off. Any suggestions to fix the loose saya? The rattle doesn't bother me near as much as the loose saya, its more for safety than anything.
As for the Jurrai, for the price I paid for it, its not to bad, damn light. The fittings look cheap, but its a cheaper sword, tight saya, decent sharpness, the samegawa is alright, has a crack in it but I can live with it. The blade is strangely light, and the hamon while not as exotic as traditional pieces it is a great site to behold. Considering this is my first sword with a non-wire brushed hamon I am pleased.
*EDIT* So I am in need of suggestions on how to sharpen the waki. Since its really dull I don't think stropping will be enough to get it up to snuff. I am soaking some matts now, looking forward to tomorrow, we shall see how the Jurrai cuts.
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