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Post by Jordan Williams on Oct 13, 2017 16:02:20 GMT
I still seemed to be looking for a (magical) pristine yet unrestored antique in new condition and with an historically significant history (maybe even ... used in battle), all for a very modest price. Beginners... Swords used in combat are almost never in pristine condition. Sometimes they're even the subject of harsh "restoration", grinding down the edge or dulling the swords edge. They are cheap though My Spanish sabres, one used in the Spanish American war and the other I think was used in the morrocan conflicts were between 90 and 120 dollars.
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Oct 13, 2017 16:24:34 GMT
Popular culture has really done a disservice to realistic expectations of weapon degradation in regular use (especially combat). When is the last time you saw an accurate portrayal of PMCS with regards to weapon systems (regardless to the setting)?
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Scott
Member
Posts: 1,675
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Post by Scott on Oct 14, 2017 1:55:31 GMT
Thanks Ulahn.
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Post by bebut on Nov 3, 2017 22:10:00 GMT
As youth I learned the coin collecting wisdom of "Want to know how to make a $10 coin? Simple, take a $100 coin and clean it". Times have changed and the numbers now would probably be $100/$1000, but I take that attitude into sword collecting. Clean and conserve, then think long and hard before doing more.
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Post by robinsonv0211 on May 17, 2020 2:38:34 GMT
I have koto katana mounted on a ww2 Japanese officer mount. The sword has some dark blackish stains that I was told was from blood and some rust. From doing research and probably rushing I messed up and gave it a 24hr white vinegar bath!! Yup, the result was horrible! It left the sword with no rust, but the blade was left at a dark matte grey looking finish. I ended up buying wet/dry sandpaper 1000-3000 grit and used it with singer lubricant oil for every step. Then I used Mothers metal and aluminum polish. The result was a lot better, but still no mirror shine that it had b4. Some of the black stains stayed but a lot less. What can I do to get that mirror polish again and have the hamon show nicely? Desperately seeking help!
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Post by treeslicer on May 17, 2020 4:50:20 GMT
I have koto katana mounted on a ww2 Japanese officer mount. The sword has some dark blackish stains that I was told was from blood and some rust. From doing research and probably rushing I messed up and gave it a 24hr white vinegar bath!! Yup, the result was horrible! It left the sword with no rust, but the blade was left at a dark matte grey looking finish. I ended up buying wet/dry sandpaper 1000-3000 grit and used it with singer lubricant oil for every step. Then I used Mothers metal and aluminum polish. The result was a lot better, but still no mirror shine that it had b4. Some of the black stains stayed but a lot less. What can I do to get that mirror polish again and have the hamon show nicely? Desperately seeking help! You don't want a mirror shine, you want a deliberately different amount of abrasion in different areas to make the hamon clear, the hada (grain of the folded steel) apparent in the area above the hamon (the ji) by contour enhancement, and the area above the shinogi (the shinogi ji) mirror polished by burnishing using a special needle called a migaki.
You need special natural stones, a great deal of patience, and some guidance on the matter.
The primary book on the subject, The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing which I use, is out of print, and has become obscenely expensive, so your best resource is the internet. Here's some examples, go look for more.
BTW, now that you know better, don't ever do this again. Techniques used on production swords are totally inappropriate for nihonto, and will ruin them. What you did can be repaired, but only if you do it right. Good luck.
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Post by robinsonv0211 on May 18, 2020 2:07:45 GMT
Thanks for the info. I definitely wont be doing that again. I just took a look at the b4 and after pics and I see a big difference. I was comparing it to my hiromitsu sword instead of the before picture I took. I have a gendai traditionally made which has a great finish without keeping in mind that the the one I did work on is an old koto, pre showa era. When I compare the pics, now i noticed that what I did was a major improvement. I'm still seeking a way to clean the sword further and bring it more of its hamon amd shine. I know this is no easy task, but in willing to learn slowly and take my time, I am in NYC and all I really have is time.
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Post by althesmith on Nov 4, 2020 12:35:32 GMT
Blades with history do not sell as they are chopped up, bend out of wack, stamped into the mud and such. As you probably understand right now I get a little p*ssed when the patina lovers start chanting their tired old songs.Old post but I agree. Patina is a fancy way of saying "Too damn lazy to keep rust off."
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