Sword Sharpening

This first lecture covers background, history, and blade designs.  Read through the final exam included with the resources to get an idea of what you already know and what you do not.  The exam will also help with learning by creating a desire to answer some of the tougher questions on new topics!

This class covers elements of the katana sword and universal blade information.  Students will learn about factory bevels, convex and concave grinds, temper and heat treatment (in a limited way - compared to a forging class).  You will also learn about strengths and qualities of different shapes and why some are used at different times.

In this segment we sharpen a small pocket knife to demonstrate in short order what we will be doing to our sword.  You will learn about care of water stones, bracing for sharpening, and various grits and their purpose.  Correct technique is covered and we will test for proper treatment of each side of the blade to ensure final excellence.  Finally, we discuss the internal state and consciousness of the worker; why focus and intention are critical and how the edge represents our life and state of mind.

Angling and positions on the sander, ways to ruin everything, why triangles?

A few last details before leaving the outdoor workshop and heading inside to the stones.

Proper stone method, wetness, fast moving metal and medium length strokes for smoothing.

This gets back into a little more detail after long sessions of sanding and smoothing with the water stone to get our bevel set.  Students will learn about the reverse count down finishing set, finger sensitivity, listening to the metal, differential sharpening, one very important piece of protective gear for working swords, and the backside tip sharpening technique.

This is a shot lecture since so many things are similar to the last work stage.  Most importantly learn to see the "grey swirl", and where it terminates.

Ah! The Grand Finale of our work - you made it!  After the final long stroke smoothing, and the reverse countdown method, the instructor shows how to use notebook paper for a final polish - safely - along the edge.  We don't strop this blade.  Spencer shaves his arm to show hair bouncing upward almost explosively as the edge grazes his skin.  See you in the next course!