Blade #1 back from polish

[Mark S.]

I sent 2 blades to Woody Hall for polish.  First one came back.  I’ll post a couple ‘before’ pics, then several after pics, and finally some combined pics showing details of before and after.  I’ll apologize up front to you and Woody about the quality of my photos.  As is usually stated “much better in hand”.  The lighting tended to whiten quite a bit of the activity and makes blade look much more ‘course’ than it is.  I think Woody did an excellent job bringing out the activity in this blade.

 

[Mark S.]

[Mark S.]

[Mark S.]

[Mark S.]

[Mark S.]

[Mark S.]

[Mark S.]

Oh… and it has been asked in the past how much steel is removed during polish.  This wakizashi had a nagasa of 44.1cm and ended with a length of 43.97cm - pre-polish weight was 355 grams and 350 grams post-polish.  Of course, this information is anecdotal and based simply on what Woody felt the blade needed.  

[MHC]

I'm glad to see a Sashikomi style of final polish, always my personal favorite. 

 

Mark

[Mark S.]

After discussing with Woody, he felt Sashikomi would be best with this blade to bring out detail.  I trusted his judgement.

[Stephen]

Did you discuss with Woody why the Shinoji 

Wasn't burnished to mirror like?

 

[Mark S.]

  On 10/20/2021 at 3:29 PM, Stephen said:

Did you discuss with Woody why the Shinoji 

Wasn't burnished to mirror like?

 

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I did not ask specifically… but because there was activity in the shinogi, I think he left it unburnished / less burnished to aid in identification.  I’m completely good with it, and would rather have a chance to see the activity.  Also, I had blade under bright LED lighting for pics which really highlighted the activity, but also made it look much coarser than it is in hand.

[MarcoUdin]

I'm not an expert by any means, but Sashikomi was the perfect call on this blade.

[Stephen]

  On 10/20/2021 at 3:36 PM, Mark S. said:

but also made it look much coarser than it is in

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Im sure the case an saved some $$$

[Ken-Hawaii]

Woody has always done gret work for me, too.

[shakudo]

Have had Woody polish a blade for me and was and am still really satisfied with the communication and process and the end result. He is a top operator  and will be sending my blades to him in future. Cheers Woody and thanks- a beer when we can get there!