|
Post by Silver_Fan on Apr 26, 2012 20:53:38 GMT
Hi,
This may seem a stupid question.
I have recently attempted to sharpen a sword using sand paper (as shown by the Tom vid tutorials), however I have moved through the 400 and 800 grit and the edge is butter knife sharp or blunt.
At what stage of the process would it be unsafe to run your finger along the edge. Would it be unsafe after filing or 400 grit or is it only when you are using the higher grit 1000 - 2000 that the edge becomes cutting sharp.
Any help much appreciated.
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Apr 26, 2012 21:59:24 GMT
Hello.
Well, it is never really safe to run your finger along the edge. What kind of sword is it? Different swords have different geometries and require their own techniques.
When using sandpaper, it is actually very easy to either make no progress or even backwards progress on the edge. If your sharpening angle is even a bit off you may be actually dulling the edge. The edge of a sword should also not be super sharp. That would mean the edge may be overly thin, which makes it more prone to damage.
A standard test used to see if the edge is sharp enough is the paper test. The thumb test is more geared towards smaller blades and blades with secondary bevels. If the edge will cut paper when pulled through it is generally considered sharp enough for work.
Many consider a 600 or 800 grit edge to be good for a work blade. The higher you go, the more polished the edge and thus less resistance going through material. A higher polish will also stay sharper longer.
In the end, it just takes practice. All you can do is push on and eventually you will find the correct technique/angle for what you are trying to accomplish and you will find that the edge is as sharp as you want.
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 26, 2012 22:13:35 GMT
sounds like you need to start with a file mate, it shouldt be blunt by 800 grit, when i sharpen my blades i dont even go above 600
|
|
Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
|
Post by Greg on Apr 26, 2012 23:13:28 GMT
Yeah, just starting with 400 grit off the bat won't be enough to remove enough material. Well, unless you go through several sheets of the stuff.
I agree with Saito. Start with a file, and work that until it can rip paper with some effort. Hold both sides of the paper and apply light preasure. If the edge doesn't rip the paper, then keep at it with the file.
Really, the majority of your edge will be created with the file.
The majority of the WORK will be done with sandpaper.
It doesn't take a lot of time to establish an edge unless you are working with a from-factory DSA or something along tho's lines. And when I say "Not a lot of time" I'm talking about an hour or so.
If you are hesitant about taking a file to your sword right away, go get something to practice on. Heck, go to Goodwill and see if they have a meat cleaver in their kitchen section. You don't need the cleaver specificly, but pick up the thickest blade they have. Practice on that until you can get an edge on it, and smooth it out with the sanding.
|
|
|
Post by willhart on Apr 26, 2012 23:47:15 GMT
Just from experience, if you used 80 grit and were doing it right, you would have a sharp, yet jaggedy edge. (I'm not saying use 80grit sandpaper, that was just an example). It would act like serated blade. Each grit you go up you smooth out the jaggedy edge, but it still should be sharp enough to cut you easially.
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 27, 2012 0:51:16 GMT
the file is the best way to get started, alot of the blades ive made became damn near sharp enough just from draw filing and polishing out the edge. you just gotta be patient and through trial and error get the angle right
|
|
|
Post by Silver_Fan on Apr 27, 2012 7:25:33 GMT
Thanks for all the replys, you have answered my question. So I will get a reasonable edge by using the file and then refine it and polish by moving up the sandpaper grits. Testing with paper as I go along.
The sword I am refering to is a windlass cutlass (pirate companion).
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 27, 2012 13:00:30 GMT
good luck, and dont get frustrated, the first 3 swords i did i totally killed the edges on and ended up more dull than they were before, you just need practice
|
|