First time sharpening my sword........and I'm scared

Two possibilities: By hand or with a belt sander.
I do it by hand only so that's what I can talk about:
Clamp the blade along the edge of a table (not your kitchen table maybe, cause you'll mess up the finish). Clamp it down by the tang and very tightly, I usually use two clamps, one at the shoulders, the other at the tang end. I like to have the tip pointing away from me.
Then you need a sanding block, pretty much any !!flat!! object will do, I use an aluminum slab. Then wrap your sandpaper around the slab and move it up and down the edge in long smooth strokes, like rowing. If the edge just needs some touching up, 400-1000 grit is fine, if you need to work the edge down, start lower of even with a smooth file. Once I got the edge bevels to meet, I like to move the sanding device vertically across the very edge, as that gives a sharper edge than when you're just moving lengthwise. Polishing is always done lengthwise though, so after your vertical strokes you need to polish the vertical scratches out with full length strokes again.

Hmm, that's about it. Best way of learning is doing it yourself. Just go slow and start with some high grit stuff as you're less likely to screw up that way. From the way it sounds you just need to touch it up anyway, not to establish a whole new edge.

Edit: For a vid, look up TomK's sharpening videos. I do it pretty much the way he does, with some slight variations.

OBLIGATORY TYPO POINT-OUT.

Sacred lol. Scared, I think, you mean.

...otherwise, what they said. Take it slow and keep a good eye on things, you'll manage. Be careful, of course.

LMAO! I missed that. My auto correct on my Mac has been my enemy lately. I should save some of the better mistakes it makes and make a scrapbook.

Mike...

Some advice from someone who just started himself:

First, find an old but really nice steel knife around the house and practice on that. If you want, buy an Old Hickory knife to practice on. They are 1095 steel, inexpensive (~$15-$25), and recently don't come very sharp from the vendors. They make for great practice plus you'll have an awesome, sharp kitchen knife afterwards. (BTW: Old Hickory are not knives with finesse but are great for cutting tough meats, chicken, ribs, etc).

Second: buy a utility sharpner from places like Sear's, Lowes, or Home Depot. These are low speed grinders meant for knives and delicate instruments. These run about $50-$70. It's a decent compromise from using a belt grinder. If your blade is really dull, this helps to get the initial edge back really quickly. But practice on the old knives first to get use to holding the edge steady. And use water to keep the stone wet.

Third: buy the different size grit sandpaper and holding blocks. You'll need like 400 grit and 1000 grit...2000 grit if you really want to put a smooth look on the finish. After you finish with shaping an edge using the utility sharpner, you start working the edge with the 400 grit, using smooth even strokes. Just keep sanding and feeling the edge to your taste. Once you're close enough, start using the 1000/2000 to finish up. You should end up with a nice sharp primary edge that will be deceivingly sharp!

I recently advanced to sharpening a "non-sharpened" Windlass sword and it was not bad at all. It did take the better part of a full day but it was fun. Read the internet resources on how to sharpen. Plenty of people have posted full tutorials on this forum. It's worth studying them, then find what works for you.

Good luck and don't be afraid to take the plunge. It's really not that hard. Imagine that over the centuries, how many non-educated people with no access to the internet and very little training have had to sharpen their tools. Doesn't take a genius as much as a lot of muscle work.

Cheers....

And if you're NOT careful..you could wind up...scarred !! :lol:

Seriously though..if your planning on sharpening a custom..I'd start out by practising on a waster or similar. Once you've learnt to put a consistant edge on one of them, and then feel confident in your ability, only then would I try working on the custom job.

Yea...Tom's video is good and one that helped me too. Highly recommended...

Is it possible to do the table clamp method with peened swords?

al

Sharpening sounds more scary than it really is. All you need is practice, this is where slo's and machetes come in.

Have you ever sharpen a knife? if so, than you have a good start in learning how to sharpen a sword.

I have sharpened swords by hand and by belt sanders.
Here is a link from the old SBG forum about sharpening, I posted a good video on there, it's the six post down.
sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... thread=403

By hand I find this DMT sharpener the best for me, I tried just using sand paper, but I personally don't like it. I do still use sand paper at the end to help with the apple seed edge. I just don't hit the very edge with the paper.

www.amazon.com/DMT-FWFC-Double-D ... 078&sr=8-1
This is also really good for light touch ups and heavy work like finishing an edge like a Windlass after you file the edge down first.

Sharpening has as many ways to be done, and as many 'best' or 'right' ways its like the 'best pickup line'. Choose what works naturally and most efficently for you, the tools and resources available, and the type of sword!

Good luck man, let us know how it goes and don't hesitate to question. Gods know you've answered a few of ours!