Sharpening kit

[Bladeaddict]

Does anyone know how to use rhe "masahiro sharpening kit?":-?

[Jason Moore]

It is not so much as to "how to use the masahiro sharpening kit" as it is "do you know how to properly sharpen a sword". It takes years of experience for a sword maker to learn how to properly sharpen and polish a katana and I don't know as any post could help you with that.

[Mako]

Another post of mine from the old forum.

http://www.channelj.co.jp/English/movies.cgi?big=003&mid=0002&small=00008 (http://www.channelj.co.jp/English/movies.cgi?big=003&mid=0002&small=00008)

Second vid down.
'Katana Togishi -Japanese Traditional Sword Sharpener'.　

Go on...I dare you. http://www.forum.blades-uk.com/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[Jason Moore]

That link doesn't work anymore...=(

I found this one:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6511751461838547838&hl=en

[hiead]

this looks interesting, i haven't watched the video yet since im at work at the moment ( using company resources :-P )

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4l2PbvBeGkE

[Jason Moore]

Awesome video Hiead..thanks

I love when the smith starts really hammering the steel and the showers of sparks that ensue...awesome:dwarf:

[Kissaki]

Awesome video Hiead..thanks

I love when the smith starts really hammering the steel and the showers of sparks that ensue...awesome:dwarf:
Damn straight Jason B-)

[goose710]

I've just started to forge a tanto at my mountain house, picture of forge in action will have pictures of tanto after this weekend as i plan to work on it if it's not too hot
goose710


http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/8682/dsc01081jo4.th.jpg (http://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01081jo4.jpg)

[PinoyFili]

Goose thats frick'n awsome! Have you done this before or is it your first run at it? Cause I'de love to pick your brain about it if you have.

[goose710]

Pinoy Fili
I've done one other blade came out ok this will be my second attempt at forging a blade, i don't know all that much about it, been a welder for some time so "metal" is in me blood so to speak will tell you all my false starts etc if you care to hear em enclosed is a poor picture of my first attempt

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/2169/dsc00730zp2.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00730zp2.jpg)

[PinoyFili]

Would love to hear any thing you wanna share about it Bro. I've been toy'n with the idea of try'n this myself but haven't made the time for it yet. I've read a bit on forging but have no experience at all. Your first atempt looks pretty good. Is it forged from a railroad spike? I've heard of people use'n em' to make good knives.

[goose710]

PinoyFili
I use hc marked railroad spikes cause they're free, they're high carbon, and just about the right size to mess with. Car springs are also another source of good steel(so i've been told). you don't need a whole bunch of stuff to get started , as you see in da pic, coupla bricks and a source of air ( i use an old squierl cage fan) charcoal is what i use the kind ya buy for bbq's have used small blocks of hard wood also works ok then it's just a matter of an anvil, i use a machinest leveling plate, because that's what i had works ok free makes it better.
My first attempt at a clay hamon didn't work out, did it in daylight, wasn't sure of temp(color) didn't take, will try again with the tanto at night to better gauge color(temp) of steel before de plunge.
it's more work than you think, heats, pounding, more heats, lotz of charcoal, and lotz of sweat, your arm gets tired from swinging the hammer, you don't strike the metal properly it's time to quit and come back to it again at another time even though you want to finish it. there's a certain amount of patience involved, rush it and you will fail.
i don't mean to sound as if i know too much about this stuff just my observations so far
i'd like to see anything you pound out if you so choose to try it too.
my job doesn't lend itself to any creativity, mostly boredom,between choas, i keep busy thinking of stuff to do and the ways i might achieve that . i make custum knives here at work, keeps me busy,and is an outlet for this creativity that we all have in some measure.
anyway i'm longwinded ain't i, i'll let ya know how this second one comes out next week.
goose710

[PinoyFili]

Goose
Thanks for all the solid tips and when I give it a go I'll def share what I end up with. Look forward to hear'n about the tanto. Sounds like you def got a knack for what your doing and alot of passion for it. Keep it up and thanks for share'n!

[goose710]

PinoyFili
Pounded out blade this week-end now to scrape/refine/temper it have pics but on the day shift so can't finish right now (supervisor is here with me . will show an tell soon
goose710

[goose710]

PinoyFili
As promised a few pic's of the tanto in progress,

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3117/dsc01125ue5.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01125ue5.jpg)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5096/dsc01127ih3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/480/dsc01129sg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Jason Moore]

Wow man, now that is cool! Now you need to make a vid!

[goose710]

PinoyFili
Further progress on the tanto as you see i drew out the blade and set up some Habaki's will finalize the shape and fit habaki and start the handle,saya, still thinking about tsuba but i'll make that too.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9582/dsc01155yy2.th.jpg (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01155yy2.jpg)

goose710

[goose710]

Update on tanto
have cleaned up blade and set habaki, made a tsuba of sorts not yet sure if it'll be finale need to make seppa i have some solid silver from my wifes candy dish ( she's really mad) oh well, 36yrs she should be used to it!

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9591/dsc01214lz3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4345/dsc01212gx6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1930/dsc01208ny1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[goose710]

progress on the handle for my tanto.
tsuba is a piece of bus bar ,fidleback maple is from a tree i cut down in the back yard , seppa are from my wife's candy dish (solid silver yup she's mad) red wood is african paduk given to me from an appreciative friend for a knife i made him.
goose
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/268/dsc01222px1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/695/dsc01223id5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9663/dsc01225us3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/97/dsc01228be0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Dotanuki]

Goose,
OK, I got a question? How did you get the blade to it's current finish?

Please don't tell me you used the Masahiro sharpening kit>:) [joking]

I always enjoy looking at your projects [all of them!!]

[bobO]

Goose,that is to cool.Just one thing,and I feel like a jerk asking you this,but are you going to make it pointy.I look at this beautiful piece of work and all I can see is that the point ain't finished.I know I'm a jerk.

[Mako]

Goose,that is to cool.Just one thing,and I feel like a jerk asking you this,but are you going to make it pointy.I look at this beautiful piece of work and all I can see is that the point ain't finished.I know I'm a jerk.
bobO...I'm not trying to answer for goose' but if you look carefully at this pic,you'll see there is a sharp tip but the light or something is obscuring it a little.
Great work goose'.;)


http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/6655/dsc01228be01mi6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[bobO]

O-kay,I'm gonna go with that,but only because the rest of the tanto is just so dang nice,cause it still looks flat to me.Goose this piece is beautiful,any bit of it is more than I could do.But it does inspire me to give something like this a try.Thanks for sharing.

[goose710]

Bob-0
i still have a bit of work to do on it, i made the saya last nite but failed to photograph it as yet. I still need to really sharpen (polish)it to it's finished state , it's pointy but could be a bit better i suppose.
i've started a bronze tsuba for a katana i have just for something to do.
Dotanuki- i use a file first, then 200/400/600 grit wet dry going to 1500 wet dry till it mirrors up, then i use stainless rudge(sic) going to jewlers rudge(sic) till i have the finish i want.
goose710

[bobO]

Hey goose,Sorry for fixating on a negative,but that's probably what makes me good at my job.Your work is awesome,especially for a guy who just built himself a forge in his backyard and decided to make himself a knife.I bet this kind of thing sends shudders though the pro's.Anyway do you use a wetting agent ie.water,windex.And do you make your own tsuba? bobO

[goose710]

bob-o
I use wd-40 as a wetting agent. i've made a few knives before but always bought the blades examples (it's a good way to start) and yes i make my tsuba i started one last night
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3714/dsc01233pm5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6361/dsc01236cl3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3676/dsc00203ag0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3676/dsc00203ag0.41fcbe1878.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=526&i=dsc00203ag0.jpg)
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9876/dsc00100px6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/3373/dsc00599tt7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
also finished saya for tanto. obveusly tsuba not done yet
goose710

[69NINJA]

Goose, very very nice.
what did you use for the tang pegs on the tanto?

And the bowie??? they look like inlaid rivets.

[goose710]

69 ninja
tanto has a walnut dowel inserted for now i'm gonna try to cast a menki out of silver for the finished tanto peg. the bowie has mosaic pins . i thought to use them for tonto but not authentic enough for me.
goose710

[bobO]

Goose,those mosaic pins where the first things to catch my eye on the bowie,very nice! Also I'm going to copy your knife stand design,if you don't mind.

[goose710]

bob-o
A deer antler makes a really nice knife holder too
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3394/dsc00102pm0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
goose710

[Dotanuki]

Goose,
I love that deer antler stand!! Your homemade tsuba brought back memories of my old projects. Maybe looking at your work will motivate me again.
Your work motivates, Justice's work intimidates [he is good!]

[bobO]

I'm gonna make both.Thanks for sharing Goose.

[goose710]

tsuba almost finished signed with my name in antquie japanese
and seppa i made almost ok to mount needs alittle more polish
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5981/dsc01246ix6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7486/dsc01247go6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
goose710

[bobO]

Very nice Goose,what does that weigh, the tsuba that is.You've got me eyeballing the family silverware.

[goose710]

bob-o
the tsuba is fairly heavy, but the sword i'm gonna mount it on is tip heavy so should balance out ??? we'll see
I believe i'll have to mill some of the "meat" from the center of the tsuba because it's a bit thicker than the existing and the seppa is a bit thicker that the el cheapo thats mounted now.
goose710

[bobO]

Goose, can't wait to see this all come together.I've already picked out the silver piece my daughter is not going to inherit,for my seppa's.If she asks I'm blaming the guy from Jersey.

[goose710]

Bob-o
sometimes things get lost ya know ! i'll take the heat any time i'm used to it been married 36yrs.
goose710

[Justice]

bobO...I'm not trying to answer for goose' but if you look carefully at this pic,you'll see there is a sharp tip but the light or something is obscuring it a little.
Great work goose'.;)


http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/6655/dsc01228be01mi6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


You're doing a great job there. I don' have the ability to create anything from scratch (would like to though)...

[goose710]

Fellows
i remmber some one asking about the stuff they use to finish polish, or "tint" the hamon could this be the stuff?



Nugui Materials

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2228/20030320143140dg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)





SJK Nugui Set



Four types of Nugui - Koshiki, Shinsei, Kongo (A+B), and Jikoh all in a wooden box. Each Nugui is compounded appropriately and can be used directly. However, depending on the condition of the sword, if you need finer Nugui filter it with Yoshino-gami.
The details and instructions for use for each can be found by clicking the link for each below.

Koshiki

Shinsei

Kongo

Jikoh

SJK Nugui Set 220.00


SJK Nugui Koshiki

Instructions on Use

Compounded specially for Koto (old swords).

SJK Nugui Koshiki 67.00


SJK Nugui Shinsei

Instructions on Use

Compounded specially for Shinto blades

SJK Nugui Shinsei 67.00

SJK Nugui Kongo

Instruction on Use

Compounded specially for Shinshinto and Gendaito blades. You must mix the A and B parts

SJK Nugui Kongo 67.00

SJK Nugui Jikoh

Instruction on Use

Compounded specially for renovating soft sword blades.

SJK Nugui Jikoh 67.00

Nugui Oil



For replenishing SJK Nugui

Nugui Oil 37.00


Kanahada



Burnt and powdered iron oxide which is the basic material used in making Nugui.

Kanahada 27.00


Jitekko



Powdered magnetite used for making Nugui for Sashikomi-togi (finish without Hadori)

Jitekko 15.00


Shinsha



Cinnabar which is mixed with Kanahada Nugui for making a bluish colored blade.

Shinsha 77.00


Aoko (Green powder)



Chromium Oxide to mix with Kanahada Nugui for making the blade dark and glossy.

Aoko 15.00


Akako (Red powder)



Iron Oxide to mix with Kanahada Nugui for making the blade bluish and glossy.

Akako 15.00


Kinpun



Gold powder to mix with Kanahada Nugui for making the blade dark, bluish, and glossy.

Kinpun 73.00


Oumewata



A very special and traditional cotton used to make Nugui. Take small pieces, fold and round it. Then rub the Nugui on the blade with it.

Oumewata 27.00





da goose710

[Taygrd]

Great stuff. I never saw the blade that was in this post. AWESOME!!! I envy your talent and ability. The tsuba and seppa on that blade was fantastic! You got the gift brother.:ohyeah:

[goose710]

Taygrd
Why thank you sir!
da goose710

[jwilliams]

Great stuff. I never saw the blade that was in this post. AWESOME!!! I envy your talent and ability. The tsuba and seppa on that blade was fantastic! You got the gift brother.:ohyeah:

My hat is off to both of you, goose and Taygrd. bobO I can hardly wait to see your tanto. Thank you all 3 for sharing your talents. I can hardly wait until I can join your ranks.

[bobO]

Just put up a pic J, It's not a very good one the good camera is down. This one was the best I could do for now. The blade turned out better then I hoped, it even has niku! The pic is over at the other thread.

[jwilliams]

Just put up a pic J, It's not a very good one the good camera is down. This one was the best I could do for now. The blade turned out better then I hoped, it even has niku! The pic is over at the other thread.

I saw it, I like the lines even if they're blurry. Keep going you are the Man. My son and I are going to try to get out to Jason's wedding if possible, I hope to get to meet you and goose while there.

[goose710]

Fellows
as to sword sharpning check out this vid link a series of four i think, Taygrd this one had a burnishing tool being used about half way thru it , i will have to try again on the next one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55BlqOj-hqo&feature=related

going to my country place to forge another tanto / bowie see ya in a few days
da goose710

[Jason Moore]

Does anyone here know how to properly sharpen a katana? I was really wanting to learn and if someone were to want to teach me I would be happy to pay or give them store credit...

[Taygrd]

I know that Murry Cater and Wally Hayes both have done seminars on this, and I think Hayes may even have a video. I am waiting for Goose to give me lessions since he got that Mashiro Kit. I will look around to see what is out there on video or book.