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Market Square => Arms and Armor => Topic started by: Macintyre on September 29, 2008, 01:26:28 AM

Title: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Macintyre on September 29, 2008, 01:26:28 AM
Does anyone have good sword sharpening tips and or know of anyone in the Houston area that does sharpen swords?
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: escherblacksmith on September 29, 2008, 08:53:53 AM
how nice a blade are we talking about?

And how far off from sharp is it?
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Macintyre on September 30, 2008, 02:27:57 AM
it's a paul chen and the edges are not sharp as in razor sharp, but they are not by any means "take a head off"
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Chris B on September 30, 2008, 02:19:52 PM
What kind of Paul Chen is it?  Not all swords are suppose to be razor sharp.  The sharper it is, the more easily the blade is damaged.  It doesn't take a fine edge to cut.  Is it a Japanese or one of CAS Iberia's western swords?
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Macintyre on October 01, 2008, 12:45:27 AM
it's a battle ready, museum replica claymore.
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Chris B on October 01, 2008, 10:38:14 AM
I do not know anyone here in Houston that I could recommend to sharpen it.  I would personally leave it as is.  Most swords of that size do not need a fine edge to still do some serious damage.  The edge will just get chipped easier with it being that sharp.  Sorry I could not be of more help.  Good luck with it and post a pic of it if you do get it sharpened.
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: PurpleDragon on October 01, 2008, 10:42:40 AM
I would leave it as it is, unless of course you think the clan wars are going to sprout up again and you'll be called upon to use you sword. ;)  Seriously though, why do so many people WANT to have their swords sharpened when the only wear them at faire?  I have a rather large collection of swords, some have edges (Masohiro Katana and most of my Windlass blades), some do not (Starfire Blades and el cheapo katanas).  With the Paul Chen blades, they are finished the way the designer wanted them finished, including the edge, and should not be altered in any way as it could very well disrupt the stability of the blade.
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Macintyre on October 01, 2008, 02:32:25 PM
thanks for the input guys.  i appreciate it.
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Poldugarian Warrior on October 20, 2008, 07:27:42 AM
Quick question, I've heard the term "false blade" used to describe the edge of a sword, which looks sharp, but isn't. Of course, as PurpleDragon mentioned since any time I wear a sword it's usually at fest, why have it sharpened. I plan on sharpening maybe one or two of my blades, just for home security. But, then again, blunt force trauma from a sword is a good defense too. So why do they describe it as false, when they could just call it unsharpened?
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Zaubon on October 20, 2008, 01:04:19 PM
The false edge is an area of the blade that is narrowed but deliberately not sharpened. Ususally this is do to help create and strengthen the point such as is seen on a Bowie or Bayonet style blade.
Title: Re: Sword Sharpening
Post by: Poldugarian Warrior on October 27, 2008, 04:07:37 AM
Thanks for clarifying that. Now I know. "and knowing is half the battle" G.I. Joe HA. HA. Just thought I'd throw that out there