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Quick Summary
Keeping a sword sharp enhances its beauty and functionality. The sharpening process is a multi-step undertaking that involves using a metal file to emphasize the edge, sharpening the blade on a whetstone, and blending the finished edge using an abrasive. If you’re new to sword sharpening, you can also buy a specialty tool for that purpose.
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For many people, swords are more than costume accessories or unique wall decorations. They are beautiful curios that come in so many different shapes and styles that it’s hard to resist collecting them.
Whether you have one sword or several, a sharp edge is part of their allure. Over time, this edge can become dull and require sharpening. While the prospect of working on a blade traditionally used as a weapon can be daunting, there are safe and effective ways to keep your sword looking like new. In this blog, we’ll go over how you can use easily-accessible tools to sharpen your sword.
Start by carefully wiping down the sword with a thick cloth to remove any oil, dust, or residue that may have accumulated since you last sharpened it. To avoid accidentally cutting yourself, run the cloth along the blade very gently - don’t apply pressure.
Once the blade is clean, lay the sword on a table and position a block of wood near the tip to elevate the blade. Using a metal file, apply even strokes to one side of the blade at a 30-degree angle. Depending on the blade’s length, you can divide it into one-half or one-third sections and tackle one section at a time. Be sure to switch sides after every few strokes to ensure an even filing.
Once you see an edge appear, stop filing. At this point, your goal is simply to remove metal until the edge is exposed. It will be very rough at this stage, but don’t worry- you’ll be sharpening it next.
You can get whetstones in different grit levels, from extremely coarse (200 and below) to extremely fine, which is 8000. For sharpening swords, a medium grit of 1000 to 1500 should meet your needs.
Apply a light layer of honing oil to the whetstone, to lubricate it and encourage better sharpening. (You can purchase this oil in most sporting goods stores and gun shops.) If you’re using a Japanese water stone, use water as a lubricant instead of oil.
Once you’ve oiled the stone’s surface, run the blade back and forth across it at a 30-degree angle, using smooth and uniform strokes and consistent pressure. If you’re sharpening a two-sided sword, wear special gloves to protect your hands.
For greater efficiency, divide the blade length into sections and apply the same number of strokes to each side, flipping the blade after every few strokes to keep the sharpening process consistent.
Be sure to check periodically to see if an edge is forming. You can also test the blade by wiping the oil or water away and seeing if it slices smoothly through a sheet of paper. If it rips or tears the paper, you have more sharpening to do.
Tip:As you sharpen, the oil will become discolored from blade and stone residue. When this happens, wipe it off the stone and apply a fresh layer of oil.
Tear or cut out a 2”x2” piece of 400-grit sandpaper and run it up and down both sides of the blade at a 30-degree angle to blend the edge with the rest of the sword. When you’re done, wipe the blade down with a moist cloth to remove oil, residue, and metal shavings. You’ll want to be thorough, as uncleaned residue could cause rust to form on the blade. When done, dry it with a clean cloth.
Tip:You can also use this step to deburr your sword and touch up the edge when it starts to dull from repeat usage.
If you’re new to sharpening swords or don’t feel confident doing so by hand, you can buy a blade sharpening tool. They don’t give you as fine of an edge as hand sharpening will, but for beginners, they are an excellent way to safely keep your swords in good shape. You can usually find them in sporting goods stores, kitchen supplies outlets, or specialty websites aimed at sword collectors.
Place the tool on a firm and secure surface. Depending on what kind you bought, it may connect to a vise, clamp onto your worktable, or not need to be secured at all. Be sure to read and understand the instructions that came with the sharpener.
Once you’re ready, run the sword through the sharpening tool. Begin at the base and pull the blade through the V-shaped notch, using even strokes for a uniformly sharp edge. As a general rule, spend around 10 minutes on each side of the blade, but sharpening time can vary by tool, so check the documentation.
When done, wipe down the blade with a moistened cloth to remove any residue and then wipe once again to dry, to ensure that rust doesn’t build up on the blade afterward.
Swords are beautiful pieces of art, and maintaining a sharp blade ensures high aesthetic as well as functional value. At Red Label Abrasives, we sell superior quality sanding sheets that you can use to blend the edge seamlessly with the rest of the sword during sharpening, resulting in a perfect finish. For more information or a product recommendation from one of our abrasive specialists, please call 844-824-1956 or fill out our contact form.
