shin gunto

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galen59

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Mar 7, 2008
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Anybody know of super fine grit, like the Japanese use to polish there blades?
mixed with oil or water and slowly worked by hand?, I'm trying to get old dark discolorations out of a WWII blade, this project has been going on for sometime and probably will continue for sometime, or would you just leave the discoloration alone?? It's an abused blade by a good smith and so far the job has taught me much and the hamon is very distinct and the blade shines, any suggestions for sword polishing, I'd be thankful, it's my 4th job on blades, but this ones a challenge.my supplies are low and no one seems to know what I'm in need of. thanks a new learner.
 
You could use several different grades of polishing compound just make sure its high grade. With polishing the hamond will go away though, I don't know what it is But its just a liquid you rub on the blade to bring it back.
 
If that blade is worth anything don't do it yourself. Send it to a professional for repolishing. And by professional I mean someone that is trained to polish japanese swords. If you polish it by yourself you could kill any value it has. If it's just a basic machined Gunto blade then flitz will work. But if it's signed and has any form of value to it, monkeying around with polishing it will greatly devalue it.
 
It's a WW2 blade, I think its worth is around average and not high enough to warrant professional sharpening. You need a progression of natural waterstones to bring out the hamon, as those finish hard and soft steel differently. Or you can simply use synthetic stones and do an acid etch.

Here's some pics of how a hamon looks like after a Uchigumori stone:
http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/effectofyakiire.html

My Naniwa 3k also whitens soft steel but I don't know if it's the same as what the natural stones do.
 
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A wee bit of vinegar mixed into the water the waterstones are soaked in ought to help bring the hamon out again if needs be.
 
cotdt said:
It's a WW2 blade, I think its worth is around average and not high enough to warrant professional sharpening. You need a progression of natural waterstones to bring out the hamon, as those finish hard and soft steel differently. Or you can simply use synthetic stones and do an acid etch.

Here's some pics of how a hamon looks like after a Uchigumori stone:
http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/effectofyakiire.html

My Naniwa 3k also whitens soft steel but I don't know if it's the same as what the natural stones do.
Click to expand...

are their pics I didn't see? ( I'd like to see some)

Just because it's WW2, doesn't mean it can't be an old family blade- there were many grade of "military blades". Depending on the grade, where, or who made them, some can get quite expencive even if made during WW2
 
Well if the OP thinks it's worth a lot then of course a hiring a professional polisher is the way to go.
 
I really do thank you guys, lots of info is what I'm looking for, I've been tinkering for almost 15 years, haven't ruined a blade yet, and I do know how not to ruin one. Thanks.
 
Just because it looks good doesn't mean you didn't ruin it. If that blade was made by any maker of note a simple home polish can ruin it. Every smith had their own style and techniques. Some of these are visable in the steel. Everything from tempering techniques to polishing techniques are what give a smith's blade some of it's unique characteristics. Polishing it yourself can remove these and effectively make a valuable blade worthless. I'd have it looked over by someone that can identify it first. Then consult with a professional restorer afterward to see if restoring it will hurt or help. Some blades are worth more rusted than professionally refinished as the refinish might remove certain attributes of the original smith. Some maybe not. If you've ever sharpened it like most of use would a knife... go ahead and consider it ruined as far as value goes. If you've put a micro bevel on the blade it would take quite a bit to change that.
 
galen59 said:
I really do thank you guys, lots of info is what I'm looking for, I've been tinkering for almost 15 years, haven't ruined a blade yet, and I do know how not to ruin one. Thanks.
Click to expand...

really? how ,many japanese blades have you polished? Where did you learn how to be a togishi?
 
Four, all Shin gunto, nothing rare, self taught lots of reading, and input from others, It's been a fantastic learning experience for the last 15 years, Japanese steel is so complex, I also sharpen and repair other blades and chisels, But the Japanese white, blue, ect, are my favorites, sure I've made mistakes who hasn't, but it's my hobby and yes I do ask many stupid questions here, thats part of learning, to repair a trashed WWII blade for me takes 6-12 months, but the stories this metal tells you.....
 
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