Polishing / Buffing question

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Nov 1, 2005
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I have a few katana's. My cheapest is a plain Paul Chen Practical Katana. I decided to get a 6 inch cloth buffing pad for my 6 inch bench grinder and have a go at polishing the blade.

Naturally extreme care about what side vs rotation and grabbing, etc.

I used very little preasure so I did not get the blade hot. I moved along the blade evenly and used the finest (white) compound. Its recommended for alluminium and soft metals.

Well about 2 hours later I have a beautiful mirror polish. From reading this is considered burnishing more than polishing as far as katana's go?

Anyway I am very happy with the results. It has hidden the hamon more, but cutting mats does as well.

Just wanted opinions on the polishing method.

Thanks!
 
Well, it's not traditional, and to be honest, most katana enthusiasts would find a buffed mirror finish unattractive. BUT. It doens't change what the steel is underneath, and if it's done with a careful and light hand, it shouldn't change the geometry.

If you're happy, everyone's happy. Unless they're not, in which case, screw 'em. :)
 
Thanks for the advise / tips. I agree its really personal taste and preference and after all they are 'your' katana so thanks! I really like the polished finish. I also got adventurous on my Idato practice katana (actually gave me the idea for the live blades in the first place).

I really liked the chrome finish, the blade stands out and looks very distinctive. So I disassembled it and got the blade triple coated and a high quality chrome job, its absolutely sunglass material.

I also wanted to be unique on top of that, so I chromed the tsuba as well as habaki.

I did go very easy polishing as not to mess up the geometry.

The sword was in good condition with no nicks or even scratches so it did not take ages to do.

Thanks again!
 
I cringe even though you say you took care about 'grabbing'. An (even microsecond) loss of control will swing that 3 foot razorblade somewhere. Don't be somewhere:D .

The other comment I wish to make, especially in the case of better or heirloom swords, is that we are only temporary caretakers of the blades we carry. The restorations we accomplish, mistakes we make, whether through ignorance, accident or design will affect the condition of the blade for all future caretakers, perhaps for centuries. Be aware of your legacy.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm
 
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