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Post by alientude on Oct 26, 2020 2:53:13 GMT
I want to learn to sharpen blades by hand, using file(s), whetstone, etc. No power tools. I bought the recent Kult of Athena cutlass mystery box and it was full of cheap, unsharpened blades that I plan on using to learn on (since I really don't care if I mess them up). I just have no idea what products I should buy to get started. Anybody have any recommendations (preferably available on Amazon) about what I should buy to get started?
Thanks!
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Post by leviathansteak on Oct 26, 2020 13:14:18 GMT
I do that from time to time on unsharpened blades with about 1mm edge e.g. windlass
Clamp the blade down if you can. Then use a file and go at it at as close an angle as you can get to the main flat. Then progress to finer files and/or stones, finally finishing off with stropping.
Laborious but if you do it right, your edge will practically be a lightsabre
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 26, 2020 15:28:25 GMT
I admire your ambition. The learning curve will take time and even after the curve it is a time consuming process but a rewarding one. There are numerous techniques and I don’t think one is better than another for the most part, just what suits your style better. To remove the bulk of those factory unsharpened edges fast use a file or an AccuSharp. I find an AccuSharp best for me as I lack a suitable working area. DO NOT come close to your final edge with that tool, only use it to knock off some of the unwanted material to speed things up. I then use a cutting board on the dining table with a somewhat compressible material such as a mouse pad on the board. This will help achieving a convex edge. It also follows the contours of the blade better than a hard flat surface. I usually start with 220 grit paper and a light weight oil, WD-40 usually, but believe I could go a grit courser and work towards the edge. When changing to a finer grit I change the direction I’m pushing about 30° in order to tell the difference between the two grits. I go in the new direction with the new grit until all traces of the previous grit disappear. At that time I change to the next finer grit and direction. Go back to the original direction is fine and do so until all traces of the previous grit disappear. I keep this polishing up until I get the edge as want. At that point I change direction completely laying the blade on the fine paper pushing it back and forth along the axis of the blade for the final polish. There are other techniques. You might want to check out YouTube, they have many examples.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2020 8:33:58 GMT
Kitchen knives aren't bad to practice. I got a large diamond stone I use, and I learned my "feel" practicing on my kitchen knives (they are cheap so no harm done).
I am unable to get it exactly hair shaving but I get it close. I managed to get some wicked enough edges on my swords tho
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