Polishing Techniques
This picture shows what the Ji and the Hamon look like after finishing with the Uchigumori stone.
The Hadori process is done for a Kesho polish. The picture below shows how the Hadori line is created.
First the Polishers marks are made.
Polishing & Restoration Process Of A Very Large Sword
(This sword has a Nagasa of 40″long. The with at the habaki area is about 2-1/2″ wide)
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This picture to right shows the sword ready for final shiage-togi (finishing polish).

With the completed Shirasaya I am finishing the polishing work on the sword at this point. Below you can see some pictures of the process but if you want a better detailed understanding of the polishing process click here.
Horimono Repair
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In Japan Horimono work is done by a specialist in Horimono or a habaki maker that can carve Horimono. This sword is badly damaged by deep rust that is deeper than the Horimono itself.
Full or Touch-up Polish?
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In Japan Horimono work is done by a specialist in Horimono or a habaki maker that can carve Horimono. This sword is badly damaged by deep rust that is deeper than the Horimono itself.
“FULL POLISH” incorrect description: To polish a sword from the course stones to the finishing polish that gives the sword a beautiful and correct appearance to the trained eye of a Japanese sword collector “regardless” of the sword or rust, any other problems or non-problems on a particular sword.
“FULL POLISH” correct description: To polish a sword after a complete analyses of the sword. The good points and the bad points have to be considered before a sword is placed on a stone. After evaluating the sword a professional polisher will choose at what stone he may want to start at. In many cases, a polisher can start with the Binsu stone or Kaise stone or Nagura stone (For more information please look at “Foundation Polish”). The Arato stone is very aggressive and should be avoided as much as possible. In this way he will remove as little steel as possible. Even starting at a later stone, the work will be very hard, so this sword is still receiving a full polish. After the foundation work the sword will be finish to reveal all the points necessary in a high level polish.
“TO CLEEN UP A POLISH” incorrect description: To redo a finish on a sword quickly and inexpensively. This type of work is not a professional job. It is done to re-sell a sword or to clean up a poor quality sword. A professional polisher that has a good reputation will never do this type of work, only amateurs will offer this in the US. A good sword should never receive this type of polish. Even if it is to be sold and re-polished later on, because steel is being removed for the sake of a sale and the sword is not being evaluated properly before grinding down the 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.
“PRESERVATION LEVEL POLISH” correct description: To polish a sword that is not of high quality but is in need of polishing for the sake of preservation. Such as in the case of a family treasure that is to be kept in the family. A high level polisher may choose to do this polish as a courtesy if asked. But generally he will choose not to leave any signatures under the habaki as in his high level work. It is understood that he is extending a courtesy in lowering his standards. In Japan some polishers specialize in this type of work. Generally this polish is 25%-40% less expensive than a full polish.
“Questions and Answers”
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?
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.
Q: If the tip of a sword is broken but the rest of the sword is in good polish. Does the sword need a full polish?
A: No, A skillful polisher should be able to re-shape the Boshi or tip without touching the rest of the sword. Now if the sword is in a poor polish a polisher will recommend re-polishing the entire sword and repairing the point at the same time.
Q: I have 2 swords that are in polish but it is an old polish. They have no rust, nicks, chips, or any other kizu. I have heard of a “touch up” polish. Is there such a thing or is the process still the same as a full blown polish?
A: A sword can be re finished if the original polish is deemed to be of good quality. Shape, geometry and over all it has no deep problems. The decision must be left up to the polisher. If a person is asking for a “touch up” just to save money and is not interested in what is best for the blade again a polisher may choose not to work on that sword. No professional polisher will grind a sword down from the first stones if it is not necessary, I certainly will not. The battle is to remove as little as possible and at the same time achieve the best results for a particular sword.
Q: If there is a difference in the technique, is there a price difference?
A: There is a small difference in price from refinishing a sword to a full polish. A polisher will do this only in special cases. The sword needs to have a good foundation, but this point has to be addressed by the polisher. A competent polisher can justify the reason why he may feel that the sword needs a full polish.`
Opening a window on a rusty Sword
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If a sword is badly pitted or stained and a decision needs to be made about polishing the sword, one way to determine if the sword has a Hamone (Temper line) is to open two windows. One at the Boshi (point) and the other at them other end by the Hamachi (Were the cutting edge starts).
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