A diary about polishing a sword

[BenVK]

Not so long ago, I bought 3 Japanese swords.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=856391

In that thread, I commented that I would keep the most interesting one and polish it myself. I'm sure that most collectors who read that were horrified and sceptical but I'm a man of my word and a stubborn bugger to boot so that's exactly what I did.

Little did I know what I was getting myself into!
I spent countless hours researching the subject before I even laid a finger on the sword and I can honestly say, it's the most complicated and demanding subject that I've ever studied.

Anyway, this thread will hopefully show that it can be done by an amateur like me although it's a very serious undertaken that demands a lot of time and effort.

I'm glad that I tried this myself though because it really does give a completely new understanding and appreciation of Japanese swords.

Here's how the blade looked like before I started. It was very tarnished and scratched, I think someone had tried to polish it before with wire wool or something similar.

[BenVK]

What I realised very early on in my study is that you have to make a suitable working environment before you even attempt to work on the sword.

The professional polishers will only work with natural Japanese polishing stones but they cost thousands of dollars each. After a lot of research, I realised that the initial polishing work could be done with synthetic stones so I bought some and set to work.

[BenVK]

I quickly realised that this would be a long, demanding and messy task. As you can you see, the amount of sludge generated by the polishing stone is quite amazing!

It wasn't long before I hit my first problem.

Although my progress was going quite well, the blade was rusting literary in front of my eyes as I was polishing.

[BenVK]

As you can imagine, I was sh it scared that I'd ruined the blade at this stage.
Although I'd polished out the tarnish, a rusty blade was a disaster!
The answer was unexpected.
I spent many more hours researching and the suggestion was to add baking soda to the water.
Amazingly, it worked! I could now polish without the blade rusting and the hamon was appearing, wow!

[BenVK]

The next step was to work on the kissaki and yokote and it was then I realised that I'd chosen the worst blade ever for my first polish.

Reason being that there was very little if at all defining line left at all on this blade.

At the moment, it's a work in progress but it's getting there slowly.

[nickn]

The yokote is often just cosmetic especially on older blades
Mask it off with tape ,defining the yokote , and work acro the blade

[BenVK]

That's good to hear because I've read probably too much about the proper geometry which is confusing as hell.

[Bob Coleman]

amateurs do not know how to retain the niku or slight rounding to the steel and tend to grind this out. With all respect, sword polishing needs to be left to a professional polisher who served an apprentiship in Japan.

[BenVK]

With all respect Bob, there are thousands of blades, like this one, that will never get a professional polish because the cost is prohibitive.

I take offence with anyone who says that it should be left to "professionals" only because at the end of the day, how did these professionals get to be professionals? They had to start somewhere didn't they!

Are you saying that it's beyond my ability to learn these skills?

You should be encouraging me, not dissing me before I've even got properly started.

I'm very disappointed in your response.

[Bob Coleman]

My response is based upon MANY years dealing with Japanese swords and having seen many blades ruined due to the best intentions of their owners,
If you wish to take offense, so be it. I based my response upon my experience in the field which is something you do not have. It is your property to do with as you see fit. My post was also intended to be a cautionary warning to other amateurs who might try their hand at restoration. Were you even aware of niku? If yes, how did you deal with it?

[BenVK]

Bob, I've just spent about 6 months immersing myself in the Japanese culture.

I want a Japanese tattoo so I researched all about the "proper" designs etc and have been in one on one discussions with Japanese artists.

I have researched all about the "proper" way to polish Japanese swords.

My wife works for a Japanese company and I've researched all about the "proper" way to conduct herself in the Japanese business community.


At the end of the day, this sword cost my very little and was in poor condition and is mine to do whatever I like to it but yet you can still find fault in me learning so much more than I ever ever did before and probably more than you about polishing?

That's not the Japanese way.

They would be encouraging me, not giving me a lot of BS.

[BenVK]

Bob, I know you're still reading this, your name is at the bottom of the page!

Ah crap, I didn't want to fall out with you!

[blinky]

Your comment should have started and ended with:
"At the end of the day, this sword cost my very little and was in poor condition and is mine to do whatever I like to it."

I'm not sure trying to school others in the "Japanese way" is a good way to make friends.

[BenVK]

Your comment should have ended before it had begun.

[blinky]

If you really even tried to understand Japanese culture you'd have learned the value of humility. Your reply shows you have learned nothing about Japanese culture.
It's a pity, this could have been an interesting thread if you hadn't let your arrogance get the better of you once again, Ben.