Japanese sword polishing in non-traditional positions

[Al Massey]

Someone asked me the other day if someone, who because of injury, body size or other reasons could not sit low to the ground in the Japanese manner couldn't do "workarounds" so as not to be in agony, which tends in my experience to also detract from the quality of finished work. (I have upcoming major knee surgery and the remark was "good thing you forge western style swords!)

I know that there are guys forging Japanese-style swords in traditional styles, with hamon and using home-made steels but working in typical Western forge setups. I honest to gods can't see why someone who can't kneel like that couldn't "jig up" a setup where they could do stone polishing in a more user-friendly position. Not trying to start a flamewar here, but I really can't see an issue if the traditional stones and steps are used by someone with the training if it matters a damn whether one or both legs were folded up when they did it or if they were sitting on a comfy chair. Hell, sitting here writing this I've been able to picture a rig.

[Alan Longmire]

I'm pretty sure the sword doesn't care what position you're in. As long as the motion of the stones is the same it shouldn't make any difference in the end result.

[Aiden CC]

Ditto to what Alan said. Walter Sorrels uses stones for the beginning of his hybrid polishing and in his DVD about it shows off a standing polishing setup that seems to be ergonomic and manage the water/slurry from the stones pretty well. I'm sure you can see it in some of his youtube videos too, his yanagiba video comes to mind.

[Emiliano Carrillo]

There's a video I couldn't find just now of a mukansa togishi polishing swords with a setup he uses while standing, or maybe sitting in a conventional chair. There are straps set up so that he can hold the stone down with his feet even though he isn't kneeling. It's definitely something people can do!

[dan pfanenstiel]

Been using this setup for years. I don’t fold up for the traditional polishing position anymore, getting old.

 

The tray that catches the water under the stone drains into the bucket. The clamp hold whatever size stone you want. I copied the design from a buddy who’s been polishing for 30+ years.

 

Dan

 

 

[Al Massey]

On 11/15/2021 at 1:21 PM, dan pfanenstiel said:

Been using this setup for years. I don’t fold up for the traditional polishing position anymore, getting old.

 

The tray that catches the water under the stone drains into the bucket. The clamp hold whatever size stone you want. I copied the design from a buddy who’s been polishing for 30+ years.

 

Dan

 

 

Perfect example of simple is good.