How to sharpen a samurai sword?

Question

Any help would be great.

Answer 1

The cheap wall hangers you get for less than $500 are crap and you can sharpen them just like a hunting knife.

It takes years of training to properly sharpen and polish a real katana. A real sword you should take to a polisher who is trained. It won't be cheap. You will pay by the inch, and double that because it has two sides. It can take one to two weeks to sharpen and polish a sword, and that kind of labor can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Answer 2

Here's what you do, attach a sharpening stone to a table and run the sword over it in a smooth motion. It will sharpen up real nice.

Answer 3

If you have a real Katana, or wakisashi (not a cheap, machine stamped replica) You would not be asking this question. But just in case you should take it to a reputable polisher and like somebody else said here it will not be cheap, they charge by the inch and it will take a few weeks. Normally twhere you bought the swrod might be able to recomend a good polisher. Did not mean any offense at the begining but normaly people with real swords tend to know a lot about the subject. Good luck

Answer 4

Look up Cutlery in your local phone and give a few places a call before you head out the door, you may be asked to provide proof of your rank in the Martial Arts and be at lease 21 years of age.

The place I go has minimum of Brown Belt and I have brought proof that shows I am well beyond that rank.

I just wish I knew why you need it sharpened.

Answer 5

I wouldn't try even sharpen it if It's a real samurai sword.. they're too valuable!!! just shine it up or something... unless you're going to use it..... haha

Answer 6

Sharpening stone.

Answer 7

Wow! Hard question my friend. A samurai's sword is priceless, not even with MasterCard.

Answer 8

a samurai doesn't sharpen his own sword.

Answer 9

what kind of "samurai" sword is it?

If it is not a real sword, you had better not even bother trying to sharpen it.

If it cost you less than $800 chances are it is a fake sword and there is no point to sharpening your sword like object as it is more likely to break than be of much use to you.

Just for fun, here are some tamashigiri cutting videos from youtube.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=y032B1iNgGo&mode=related&search=

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rDGi1oml5a8&mode=related&search=

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z8sSi1DyVcA&mode=related&search=
(also notice the motion he makes after cutting bamboo- if you don't know what it means- you shouldnt' be playing with a katana)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UQuxrboMI-I&mode=related&search=
cut from shohatto.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-TPJVQLfCTM&mode=related&search=

this is what happens when you play with a fake sword (katanal like object).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1s0dRcdyizU

Answer 10

Same way you sharpen any knife..
With a sharpening stone...