How to sharpen a katana.?

Question

Hello, i just got a katana a few days ago. It's new, not an antique. It isnt a really high class sword, i just saw it and decided i liked it. So i got it. Anyways, as expected it is dull. My pocket knife is sharper than it. It is made of HI carbon steel, and is differentialy hardened. It is a fully functional, handmade sword. Anyways where, and how would i go about sharpening it, if that is even possible. Dont say "use a knife sharpening kit". That will destroy it. I just need to know where to take it, and what they will do.

Answer 1

You've got a Masahiro sword, eh?

A knife sharpener will not do the trick. It might leave your sword with a beveled edge, which will change the overal edge geometry of your blade and make it harder to cut with.

What you need are sharpening stones of different grits. A coarse one for rough shaping, and others others of lower grit, the last stone being very fine, to polish the edge.  I've never personally had to sharpen any of my blades from "dull" (I don't trust myself that much yet!), but rather I "tune" mine with strokes on 3 different stones.

You might want to check out www.swordforum.com to get detailed sharpening tips.

Answer 2

If you want it sharpened properly you will have to send it to someone that has the proper training and tools. That can get very expensive. Most charge by the inch to sharpen or polish a blade.

Answer 3

If you wanted a sharp sword, you probably should have bought it sharpened. The ad says they're sharp.

To have it sharpened in the traditional manner will cost you about $125/inch (the cheapest I've seen is more than 10 times what you paid for you entire sword), if they would even take on such a balde.

I would definately be wary of actually trying to cut with it anyway, as something so cheap probably would shatter the first time you hit something incorrectly. Unfortunatey, about the only thing an $80 sword is good for is hanging on the wall.

Answer 4

Take it to a professional knife sharpener(check the yellow pages or your local mall) to see if it can be done,then take their advise.

Answer 5

As with most single edge - fold forged blades, do not use a grinder.  Use a wetstone with distilled water.  Sharpen with the polish, not against.  If the blade is of value, you can probably take it to a professional for $25 or less.

Answer 6

how much you paid for it, if it is homemade why did they not sharpen it for you?, a handmade sword would be sharpen, a very well made katana in hard to make dull, if you can see the fold patterns on the blade  you have a good sword,  if not  use a grinder