Etching Blades

Federico · 3rd December 2004, 05:21 AM

NEVER EVER EVER USE A HIGH SPEED BUFFER ON AN ANTIQUE BLADE. If the blade is pattern welded, the buffer will seal the grain, causing not only the pattern to be hidden by the high polish, but can also prevent the blade from etching correctly. A high speed buffer will also round crisp lines. Also, the high heat generated from a high speed buffer can destroy the temper of an antique sword. Particularly for a really old sword, the hardness may not be all that high in the first place, the heat from the buffer can potentially turn a sword into decorative metal. Also heat related effects, especially the hamon in japanese swords, can thus be destroyed. Given the price and tradition of Japanese sword polishing, only trust a proper sword polisher, and do not attempt at polishing it yourself. Polishing, is not buffing, but rather a process of sharpening the sword itself, and thus there is great potential to change the lines of the sword. Realistically, I dont recommend polishing any blade because of the potential of being overly zealous and completely destroying the original lines of a piece.

3rd December 2004, 05:21 AM	#11
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	NEVER EVER EVER USE A HIGH SPEED BUFFER ON AN ANTIQUE BLADE. If the blade is pattern welded, the buffer will seal the grain, causing not only the pattern to be hidden by the high polish, but can also prevent the blade from etching correctly. A high speed buffer will also round crisp lines. Also, the high heat generated from a high speed buffer can destroy the temper of an antique sword. Particularly for a really old sword, the hardness may not be all that high in the first place, the heat from the buffer can potentially turn a sword into decorative metal. Also heat related effects, especially the hamon in japanese swords, can thus be destroyed. Given the price and tradition of Japanese sword polishing, only trust a proper sword polisher, and do not attempt at polishing it yourself. Polishing, is not buffing, but rather a process of sharpening the sword itself, and thus there is great potential to change the lines of the sword. Realistically, I dont recommend polishing any blade because of the potential of being overly zealous and completely destroying the original lines of a piece.