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Moment of Truth
The week's work comes down to this one moment when the blade is quickly withdrawn from the fire and quenched into the water. The normal success rate is 60% but we were fortunate and everyone ended up with a hardened blade. The blades enter the water straight">
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Moment of Truth
The week's work comes down to this one moment when the blade is quickly withdrawn from the fire and quenched into the water. The normal success rate is 60% but we were fortunate and everyone ended up with a hardened blade. The blades enter the water straight, but instantly they begin to dive as the exposed edge shrinks. Then the second phase takes place and the curve reverses and the point begins to climb. A long and graceful curve forms the final shape of the sword and it is live.
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Then comes the polishing. We were not going to be able to
completely polish the blades in the time we had left, but did open at
least a window to reveal the hamon. The sequence was to sand with 120
grit paper, then move to 320 grit red brick EDM polishing stones. The
320 stones were followed by 600 grit stones then 600 paper, followed by
1200 and finally 2000 grit wet or dry paper. A ferric chloride wipe and
finally a fine paste polish on a paper towel.
We had some beautifully developed hamons on the swords, each unique and varied in their activity and width. That single line, the demarcation between the hard edge and soft back is one of the most beautiful features that can be found in steel. It tells the story of the heat treatment and reveals the character of the sword and its maker. The week was full and when it was over we all had been changed by the experience. I think it is the special environment of the Folk School that encourages everyone to push their limits and to reach beyond themselves and to grow in the process. |