Sharpen Tarwar Sword?

[Max Power]

I received the DOTD Tarwar 3 days after the email was sent. What great service, and what a Blade!!
A Little Testing on some bambo... On swing to fell a good size full grown bambo shoot, but not a clean cut. I want to bring a razor edge to this blade.
Anyone have advice on sharpening a Tarwar?

This is the most amazing piece I have gotten to date.... has a balanced lightness to it for such a heavy blade.

 

[Qeth]

I use a belt sander to keep the convex edge. Makes curly work of paper no prob after a few minutes of touching up.

 

[JayGoliath]

Guys,

Just be very careful when you sharpen them. Those Tarwars are crazy choppers.

 

[alexs]

I can't tell you HOW to do it, but I sure damn well know how NOT to do it (3 pages of it):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ut-my-finger-off-sharpening-an-Everest-Katana

 

[Max Power]

I guess some kevlar gloves used by people that cleaned food slicers would be a good step.

 

[Max Power]

I use a belt sander to keep the convex edge. Makes curly work of paper no prob after a few minutes of touching up.

I read this messes with the temper because it heads the edge up. A wet-stone wheel is traditionally used for swords. I have never seen one and would not know how to use it if I did... hence the post. I thought of using the belt sander until I read about the heating issue.

 

[Karda]

Although people do use them, using a belt sander is really not recommended. It is too easy to ruin the temper and change the blade profile from convex to V-grind. If using a belt sander one should keep in mind the need to keep the blade cool using liberal amounts of cool water and keep the original convex blade profile. Using stones or the mousepad/sandpaper method is the recommended way to sharpen your khukuri.

 

[Qeth]

I read this messes with the temper because it heads the edge up. A wet-stone wheel is traditionally used for swords. I have never seen one and would not know how to use it if I did... hence the post. I thought of using the belt sander until I read about the heating issue.

I don't let it heat up. A few passes, check to see if it's still cool to the touch, and repeat. I've added choils to production knives using a dremel and similar cadence to check the temp. I've read so long as you don't let it heat up you're good... Karda is this correct?

 

[Karda]

I've read so long as you don't let it heat up you're good... Karda is this correct?

Yes, that is correct. While the temperature needed to really mess up your blade would be in the 400+ degree range, i never like to let a blade get so hot that i cannot hold it. That way i can be satisfied that i've not taken any hardening out of the thin edge.

 

[Qeth]

Yes, that is correct. While the temperature needed to really mess up your blade would be in the 400+ degree range, i never like to let a blade get so hot that i cannot hold it. That way i can be satisfied that i've not taken any hardening out of the thin edge.

Whew, good to know.

BTW OP, I'm using a Work Sharp Knife Sharpener belt sander.

 

[arbiter]

Max-It's your sword, but if it were mine,no power tools get close.My blades are sharpened with hand held diamond "paddles" until razor sharp,followed by leather stropping w/green compound,followed by dozens of strokes on each side on heavy newsprint held tight to a flat board.Near surgical sharpness is the result,and extreme caution in handling thereafter.Good luck.