Polishing without Zen
Sept 15, 2012 15:16:19 GMT
Post by aussie-rabbit on Sept 15, 2012 15:16:19 GMT
Blade polishing 102 -
Not to be confused with polishing with Zen – in which you must climb Mt Fuji to gather Japanese water stones so fine they glitter in the sun. Thereupon to polish the Hamon until the Yokote gleams with an inward light.
Lets get a little serious here, we are not dealing with blades that are hundreds of years old, almost all the blades we deal with are made from modern steels in Chinese sweat shops where the workers get a few dollars a day.
Since I have been collecting sharp things for 50 years I have some experience with the care and upkeep, collecting and use thereof.
So here we will take a 5160 Hanwei Raptor Wak. That should have been scrap and make it presentable, here is the beginning:
As you can see this blade has everything, rust, grind marks, bad geometry and a list of other faults too numerous to mention.
So here are the requirements -
One or more sheets of glass, approx. 18” x 12” or 300mm x 450mm, not window glass, you need plate glass or shelving glass 6mm or ¼ inch thick, (have the edges ground so they are not sharp) next you need sheets of wet-or-dry paper beginning with 600 grit and up, 1200 is where I stopped on this project but if you wish to put in the effort you can go higher.
Spray adhesive, 3m, Sellys or any good adhesive, the cheap brands are not water proof, now spray the glass sheet and the back of your paper, wait 5 minutes for the glue to become tacky, carefully place one edge squarely on the glass and roll the paper across with a bottle or similar so as to avoid any bubbles. You only get one try, if you miss apply you will likely need hot water and a scraper to get it off.
Here I have used a glass cutting board as the demo -
Next you will need a container and a dipper, raid the kitchen cupboard for both, fill the container with warm water and some dish detergent, (just a few drops) this lowers the surface tension of the water and floats away particles.
Place damp newspaper on the surface where you work, the kitchen bench is NOT ideal, news print will stain the bench and anger the one who wipes up. I have a set of steps and a stool outside where I work .
Place your glass sheet on the newspaper and ensure it does not slide around. Pour a little water on the paper with your dipper.
Now take your blade and place on the glass thus.
Cont...
Not to be confused with polishing with Zen – in which you must climb Mt Fuji to gather Japanese water stones so fine they glitter in the sun. Thereupon to polish the Hamon until the Yokote gleams with an inward light.
Lets get a little serious here, we are not dealing with blades that are hundreds of years old, almost all the blades we deal with are made from modern steels in Chinese sweat shops where the workers get a few dollars a day.
Since I have been collecting sharp things for 50 years I have some experience with the care and upkeep, collecting and use thereof.
So here we will take a 5160 Hanwei Raptor Wak. That should have been scrap and make it presentable, here is the beginning:
As you can see this blade has everything, rust, grind marks, bad geometry and a list of other faults too numerous to mention.
So here are the requirements -
One or more sheets of glass, approx. 18” x 12” or 300mm x 450mm, not window glass, you need plate glass or shelving glass 6mm or ¼ inch thick, (have the edges ground so they are not sharp) next you need sheets of wet-or-dry paper beginning with 600 grit and up, 1200 is where I stopped on this project but if you wish to put in the effort you can go higher.
Spray adhesive, 3m, Sellys or any good adhesive, the cheap brands are not water proof, now spray the glass sheet and the back of your paper, wait 5 minutes for the glue to become tacky, carefully place one edge squarely on the glass and roll the paper across with a bottle or similar so as to avoid any bubbles. You only get one try, if you miss apply you will likely need hot water and a scraper to get it off.
Here I have used a glass cutting board as the demo -
Next you will need a container and a dipper, raid the kitchen cupboard for both, fill the container with warm water and some dish detergent, (just a few drops) this lowers the surface tension of the water and floats away particles.
Place damp newspaper on the surface where you work, the kitchen bench is NOT ideal, news print will stain the bench and anger the one who wipes up. I have a set of steps and a stool outside where I work .
Place your glass sheet on the newspaper and ensure it does not slide around. Pour a little water on the paper with your dipper.
Now take your blade and place on the glass thus.
Cont...