Sword sharpening?

Question

i recently bought a cheap $100 japanese

440 stainless steel sword. I call it my "akai ryu" but problem is its super super dull.

it couldnt cut toilet paper.

can someone tell me a extremly good way to sharpen it? it doesnt have to be easy or fast, it would be better if it was. h**l, even if someone knows where i can find a knife/sword sharpener at, that would be nice.

Answer 1

I agree with Trysson. Stainless swords shouldn't be used for cutting. It's a popular metal for display swords because they won't rust and always look pretty. It is only a sword because it looks like one, it will not perform like a real sword.

You chose to use the word "cheap" and you should focus on that word. Remember the phrase "you get what you pay for".

You won't find a decent japanese katana for under $500 and that is seriously on the low side too. They will also not be made of any type of stainless.

Hey "Hesamurai": 操你妈 (Cao ni ma) I'm tired of you trying to promote your website. Hesamurai is an employee of the website he listed and things Yahoo answers is a place for free advertising. Their products are junk. Plain and simple.

Answer 2

You probably shouldn't be cutting with it at all.  440 series stainless steel is fine for knives, but is way too brittle for sword blades.  

Really cheap 440 stainless swords have broken from what is called "dry handling", i.e. swinging it around in the air without making contact with anything.

If you wish to actually cut, please get a sword designed for it.  Entry level swords that will cut are made by Hanwei, and Kris Cutlery, among others.

I would strongly suggest that you browse the Sword Forum's Beginner's Forum.  There are a great many discussions on which swords will cut and what happens when stainless steel swords are used.

Good luck, and stay safe!

Answer 3

try the sharpening stone, as http://www.handmadesword.com/24c.html

Answer 4

yellow pages should have knife sharpeners