King Japanese Nagura Stone #8000

Product Information

Selecting the right tools for sharpening a katana is crucial. Japanese water stones are traditionally used in the sharpening process. They come in different grits, each designed for a specific stage in the sharpening and polishing process. For instance, coarse stones are used for setting the edge, medium stones for refining it, and finer stones for the polishing process. It's also essential to have a nagura stone for cleaning the water stones, and sword oil for preserving the blade after sharpening. This part is easy. Just plunk it into some clean water and let it get totally saturated. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes.

Reducing the Average Particle Size in the Slurry: Nagura grit is quite fine. You can add Nagura slurry to a stone (by rubbing the stone to create slurry at corners and edges, BTW) to reduce the average grit size of the slurry making a stone create finer scratches and a better polish on your blades. For instance, adding Nagura slurry to a 8,000 grit stone makes it function more like a 9,000-10,000 grit natural stone without the bulk and weight of an additional full-size stone. Using the Nagura Stone Storing your katana correctly is just as important as keeping it sharp. Improper storage can lead to rust, warping, and other damage. Ideally, a katana should be stored in a horizontal position, with the edge facing upwards. This helps to maintain the shape of the blade and prevents any moisture from pooling on the blade's surface. The katana should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.The katana's blade is made of steel, carefully hand-forged and polished to a perfect mirror finish. The blade's edge, the cutting surface, is the sharpest part, and it's where you'll focus most of your sharpening efforts. The hilt, or handle, is typically made of wood, wrapped in ray skin and silk for a comfortable, secure grip. Recognizing these components is crucial because each part requires different care. The more you understand the katana's components, the better you'll be at maintaining and sharpening your own blades. The Importance of a Sharp Katana

Before you start, it's essential to gather your tools and set up a suitable workspace. This isn't a task you can do on your kitchen counter. You need space to move, good lighting, and a clean, quiet environment where you can focus on the task at hand. Remember, sharpening a katana is not just about the physical act of sharpening. It's a meditation, a way to connect with the blade and the history it carries. Selection of Correct Sharpening Tools A: Any professional polisher can do this but it is an inappropriate thing to do. Because doing this will leave a dip or wave in the sword, plus the refinishing of the rest of the sword will have to be do with only Hazuya and Jizuya. There may be other areas that have very mild staining that may not be totally visible. At best the polish will look just ok. No good polisher will want to associate is good name to that kind of work, only a polisher that has no pride in his work and just wants the money will do this to a sword. TO RE-FINNISH A POLISH” correct description: In some special cases a sword that is in an old polish can be re-Finished if the foundation is deemed to be in good shape and the geometry is correct for the sword. This is to be judged by each individual sword polisher and his discretion. This polish is achieved by starting with the Uchigumori stone (For more information please look at “Foundation Polish”). Then the sword is finish to reveal all the points necessary in a high level polish. This polish will cost about 25% less than a full polish. Q: If a sword has some rust or staining in one area why can’t a polisher work on that area and refresh the finish on the sword? The key is to pay attention, use your handy dandy stainless steel ruler to identify the high spots, maybe mark them with a pencil, and use the nagura on those areas first. Don’t be a ninny and rub the nagura all over the stone willy nilly like you’re washing your pet goat. Make a plan. Work the plan. Develop good habits and speed will follow.

After you've finished sharpening your katana, it's important to clean it thoroughly. This involves removing any metal particles left on the blade from the sharpening process, as well as any excess water from the stones. Use a clean, soft cloth to gently wipe down the entire blade. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies, as any remaining moisture can cause the blade to rust over time.