Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Some years ago when I was into polishing of a sort I found burnishing both tireing and problematical, often the pin would catch a lamination and ruin the finish.

I mentioned this to a collector who was also a Jeweler, he suggested Diamond paste and a company that supplied his trade. The initial trial using the paste,hobby miniature drill and a small fibre polishing disc produced a mirror finish in just thirty minutes on a katana, if you have not tried this it is well worth the few pounds to kit yourself out.

Roy

Posted

Or better, just to leave it alone when you dont know what you are doing. Sword polishing is not a recommended area for experimentation. If the blade is worth the polish then give it to a polisher...... :D

Posted
  Lindus said:
if you have not tried this it is well worth the few pounds to kit yourself out.

 

Or one could pay for a professional polish. The burnishing process does not simply create a mirror finish but is done in such a way that the hada can be seen and evaluated in this area (an important part of the kantei process). A DIY burnish with a dremel tool is not going to produce the same results. There is a reason this stage may take several days on a daito when done correctly, rather than a 30 minute express solution.

Posted

One thing I have allways enjoyed is the rubbish and elitism talked by some collectors, from the polish subject to believing that all collectors can afford the cost on ordinary swords to check out via a polisher.

 

During my years involved in metal work I have found that almost all are myths, I watched as Doc price produced a decent Hamon with the help of a oxy acet: torch and compressed air, tool makers tempering everything from carpenters plane blade to wood working chisels that showed what we would consider utusuri.

 

I made a blade for fun and tempered it using a mixture of fire clay and china clay,when polished it had both nie and utsuri. As to polish with diamond paste,it will not obscure hada in the shinogi it actually brings it out, so unless you have tried it do not dissmiss.

 

My polishing was final stage only, it allowed people to view all aspect of the work prior to committing big money to a full polish, the other aspect was that with showato of poor quality it allowed the new/small time and martial art owner to have a good looking blade at an affordable price.

 

I am well aware of the damage potential to good blades,have owned over two hundred in all with around just 3% that could be considered quality,eg,Muramasa,Gassan,Tadayoshi,Tadamitsu,Norimitsu, Morimitsu et al.

 

Those who have never been involved in metal work,never had a forge and forge welded,polished a blade , made and lacquered saya's or had little money should hesitate in this internet age from posting ill informed comments. :popcorn:

 

Roy

Posted

Speaking of burnishing, one comment made to me following a new polish by a Japanese polisher on a sword that had been previously burnished by a well known amateur polisher, is that it was readily visible that the previous burnishing had been performed in the wrong direction.

Posted
  Lindus said:
Those who have never been involved in metal work,never had a forge and forge welded,polished a blade , made and lacquered saya's or had little money should hesitate in this internet age from posting ill informed comments.

 

Roy, strongly suggest that you follow your own advice until you submitt your own work for scrutiny.

 

[edit] Quick, someone call the cops, there's clear evidence in the pic above of a drunk trying to follow a shinogi line.

Posted

Did at the first To - Ken taikai, recieved a paper, the sword is now with a Scottish member of the NMB :)

 

[edit] Quick, somone call the cops, there's clear evidence in the pic above of a drunk trying to follow a shinogi line.

Not a photographer then!! neither am I 8)

 

Roy

Posted
  Lindus said:
Did at the first To - Ken taikai, recieved a paper, the sword is now with a Scottish member of the NMB :)

 

[edit] Quick, somone call the cops, there's clear evidence in the pic above of a drunk trying to follow a shinogi line.

Not a photographer then!! neither am I 8)

 

Roy

 

No, no, no, not so fast, poor polish swords can and are papered, I'm talking about entering a polishing or saya or whatever else you've made contest where your work is directly scrutinized.

Posted

At the middle age of 70 I find it wonderfull that I no longer have anything to prove,had a bundle of fun,did no damage and spent time with the greats,eg,Tony Chapman,kenji mishina and Ford Hallem{who swopped one of my polished blades for a very fine naginata.

 

My saya,Shira saya,Tsuka still pop up at auction as do many Kake, so happy people happy me.

:)

 

Bye the way, show us some of your work

 

Roy

Posted
  Lindus said:

Those who have never been involved in metal work,never had a forge and forge welded,polished a blade , made and lacquered saya's or had little money should hesitate in this internet age from posting ill informed comments. :popcorn:

 

Yet you're suggesting that these same people rub diamond paste on a 3ft razor?

Sensible... :D

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...