A novice’s journey into sanding
Hi TCK!
First post here, been on and off in the community for a few months now, I wanted to share a project I did a month ago refinishing this pair of Kikuchiyo x Ren 240 and 210. I’m sharing my process first and for those who have some time, a short read about my journey.
My process
Sandpaper starting at 220 - 340 - 400 ending at 45 degree angle matching the original pattern on the hira, once happy with that taped the shinogi line and kept going on the Kihera with 600 - 800 - 1000 - 1500 - 2000 and 5000. From here moved to diamond paste 10000 - 14000. After all obvious scratches were gone I move forward experimenting a bit with Uchigumori mud and sanding sponge, also tried Komon Kasumi powder and Syoukon Kasumi Kit. Each one gave me a different finish. At the end I ended up with a mix of uchi mud and Syoukon Kit.
As you can tell I tried my best to preserve the kanji but some of the scratches were so deep that I had no choice but to keep sanding until they were gone, in which at this point one of the kanji had lost some of it’s details.
I don’t have plans for this pair, might keep them or might sell them as a pair. For now, I have another project I’m getting ready to work on.
My Journey
If you’d like to hear my journey, allow me to indulge you :)
After experiencing different finishes and acquiring some incredible pieces, I fell in love with their finishes. Living in the PNW area in the US, where we often get misty rain and fog during fall and winter. The so called Kasumi (霞, かすみ**)** was a finish that resonated the most with me, as you can really appreciate the ‘mist’ essence from nature on a tool that you use to cook for yourself and your loved ones.
For me, what also makes a knife special is the craftsmanship that went into making it, its purpose and utility, the significance of its finish, the imperfections it develops through use or Wabi-Sabi (侘び寂び************), and the relationship we eventually build with it. Someone made this piece of steel with their own skills and intention, and now it becomes part of someone else’s everyday life. We use it, care for it, put our own marks on it, and sometimes even try to restore or change it ourselves. There’s something meaningful about that experience and a big reason why I was pulled towards this hobby.
One day, I decided to bring the Kasumi back on my Tetsujin, having no knowledge about it, I fell into a rabbit hole where I found so much information through this community, the polishing/sharpening journeys that you all shared, and asking question to those that are more experienced and knowledgeable (Thank you to those who shared their knowledge with me); even finding Ivan Fonseca over YouTube and learning tons of information about this specific subject from many different sources. At some point I’m sure I looked like a mad man talking to my wife about stones and sharp objects.
As you can imagine, I was both happy and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of knowledge I accumulated during my research. Eventually, I found myself ready enough to give it a go through the more affordable and budget friendly route: sandpaper, diamond paste, Uchigumori powder and a ridiculous amount of hours of labor. After two back aches and a numb hand I was able to bring that Kasumi back. It was honestly rich experience to be able to do it even though it took a lot of effort.
I’m happy where I’m at, which is being able to refurbish and bring back finishes to my own knives and experiment with those that need some TLC. My next chapter in the future will be to try to dive into the JNATS world and finger pressure (I’m sure there’s way more to that), I’m not trying to become someone like Ivan, as he has dedicated basically all his life as a sharpener but I believe that one of the way to evolve and develop discipline is by practicing a craft. There’s this concept in Japanese culture called Shugyō (修行) which is disciplined training or cultivation through practice. It implies that you develop yourself by repeatedly practicing a craft or discipline.
If you are here, I want to say Thank you for your read, I promise if I make another post it won’t be this long lol
Some information about the knives:
Kikuchiyo x Ren W2 210mm
Total Length: 338mm
Edge Length: 195mm
Handle to Tip Length: 205mm
Blade Height: 45mm
Thickness: 2mm
Handle Length: 135mm
Weight: 234g
Handle: Ebony & Ox Horn Ferrule Octagonal
Kikuchiyo x Ren W2 240mm
Total Length: 355mm
Edge Length: 207mm
Handle to Tip Length: 223mm
Blade Height: 48mm
Thickness: 2.7mm
Handle Length: 140mm
Weight: 267g
Handle: Ebony & Ox Horn Ferrule Octagonal