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Post by mumbles on Apr 25, 2022 9:42:04 GMT
I notice most threads on this forum relating to sharpening are for swords with flat or convex grinds.
What are the recommend methods for sharpening a sword blade with a hollow grind?
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Apr 25, 2022 15:09:46 GMT
I would not treat it differently from any sword. Remember, the edge is set to a particular angle, and are never flat ground. The only exception perhaps...are Japanese swords, and they seem to be flat ground to the edge.
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 25, 2022 17:32:26 GMT
The only exception perhaps...are Japanese swords, and they seem to be flat ground to the edge. Minor clarification, perhaps pedantic, but Japanese swords are polished all the way to the cutting edge, in a convex shape; they are not flat-ground. Hollow-ground blades generally have bevels that are convex, or sometimes wedge shape. I can't speak directly to swords as I don't own any I consider properly hollow-ground (Hanwei William Marshall maybe?) but I do have several straight razors that are hollow-ground, and their bevels are wedge-shaped like most secondary bevels.
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Post by unistat76 on Apr 26, 2022 1:19:02 GMT
The only exception perhaps...are Japanese swords, and they seem to be flat ground to the edge. Minor clarification, perhaps pedantic, but Japanese swords are polished all the way to the cutting edge, in a convex shape; they are not flat-ground. Hollow-ground blades generally have bevels that are convex, or sometimes wedge shape. I can't speak directly to swords as I don't own any I consider properly hollow-ground (Hanwei William Marshall maybe?) but I do have several straight razors that are hollow-ground, and their bevels are wedge-shaped like most secondary bevels. Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a hollow ground blade that didn't have a (visible) secondary bevel for the edge. I have vastly more experiance with knives than swords, but still I don't think "hollow grind to the edge" is a thing in the same way as "flat grind to the edge" like you get with scandi knives.
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Post by mumbles on Apr 26, 2022 7:51:29 GMT
Well as an example I am referring to the Cold Steel MAA Messer www.coldsteel.com/maa-messer/I would like to get one in the future and need to know how to sharpen it
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Post by RickDastardly on Apr 26, 2022 8:12:58 GMT
IS that hollow ground?
Regardless... a hollow grind will have a secondary bevel as has been stated above. Probably flat; there's no tangible benefit to a deliberately convex secondary bevel on a hollow grind primary but if it was finished on a slack belt, it might be convex. I bet it's flat.
Sharpening it is no different to any other blade with the same secondary bevel. If it's flat, identify the correct angle by marking the edge with a sharpie and then passing the abrasive gently across it. When the angle is right it will remove the entire sharpie mark on the secondary bevel in one pass. Then grind at that angle.
If the secondary is convex (you'll tell because the sharpie will be removed from the convex middle of the secondary bevel), you can either flatten it or use whatever convex honing method you prefer. I usually go for SiC paper on a leather back. Or just wing it by hand with a bit rocking. Hand sharpening will end up slightly convex anyway unless you have a perfect method and steady hands (I don't so when it's important I use a guide - I wouldn't bother with a sword).
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Post by unistat76 on Apr 26, 2022 11:31:47 GMT
IS that hollow ground? Regardless... a hollow grind will have a secondary bevel as has been stated above. Probably flat; there's no tangible benefit to a deliberately convex secondary bevel on a hollow grind primary but if it was finished on a slack belt, it might be convex. I bet it's flat. Sharpening it is no different to any other blade with the same secondary bevel. If it's flat, identify the correct angle by marking the edge with a sharpie and then passing the abrasive gently across it. When the angle is right it will remove the entire sharpie mark on the secondary bevel in one pass. Then grind at that angle. If the secondary is convex (you'll tell because the sharpie will be removed from the convex middle of the secondary bevel), you can either flatten it or use whatever convex honing method you prefer. I usually go for SiC paper on a leather back. Or just wing it by hand with a bit rocking. Hand sharpening will end up slightly convex anyway unless you have a perfect method and steady hands (I don't so when it's important I use a guide - I wouldn't bother with a sword). The Sharpie marker is the most under rated sharpening tool. I like to use red or blue. All my knives, except the scandi grinds end up convex (used to call it appleseed) because I'm a hand sharpener.
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Post by fester on Apr 26, 2022 20:42:12 GMT
Well as an example I am referring to the Cold Steel MAA Messer www.coldsteel.com/maa-messer/I would like to get one in the future and need to know how to sharpen it I owned one of them a couple of years ago. One of the better items from cold steel. But it is not hollow ground.
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pgandy
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Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Apr 27, 2022 1:00:50 GMT
It looks like fester answered your problem. Nevertheless my straight razor is the only hollow ground that I think I have and the edge has a very thin V secondary bevel. I use it and sharpen by laying it flat on the strop. I had a couple of hollow ground sheath knives years back and took no special measures to sharpen using an Arkansas stone.
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Post by mumbles on Apr 27, 2022 11:19:14 GMT
Well as an example I am referring to the Cold Steel MAA Messer www.coldsteel.com/maa-messer/I would like to get one in the future and need to know how to sharpen it I owned one of them a couple of years ago. One of the better items from cold steel. But it is not hollow ground. Oh ok, I read in another review on here that it was? What kind of grind does it have?
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Post by fester on Apr 27, 2022 12:45:44 GMT
It does has a secondary bevel and you should be able to sharpen it just like any other sword blade. I cannot recall what type of grind it has since I have not had it for a while.
That one review is the only one that mentions it is hollow grind. The other review on this site does not (unless I missed it) and I cannot find any where else on vendor sites or the manufacturer's site that the blade is claimed to be hollow grind.
Most vendors and manufacturers like to state if a blade is hollow ground or not on a sword.
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