Intentionally dulling a stainless steel blade

[brendon.davies]

My friend just bought a cosplay sword, here's the link:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1240262112/custom-hand-forged-stainless-steel-the?click_key=66427faebb52cecd26a2c04976131448412978e0%3A1240262112&click_sum=2382a0ef&ref=hp_rv-2&frs=1

 

There isn't any real information about the steel used to make it with other than just "stainless steel". At any rate, my friend said that despite being for cosplay purposes, the blade is actually sharp. Seeing as he wants the sword to be safe(er) while using it for cosplay purposes, can anyone give me some insights into the best method to go about intentionally dulling the sword for him that won't ruin the look of the sword and will allow for it to be sharpened later on if he chooses to do so? I don't have any type of belt grinder, but I do have a good angle grinder if that would be the best route. Thanks in advance for any and all tips. 

[Geoff Keyes]

If you hit the flats of blade at all, you'll have scratches that will look bad and have to be polished out, which opens a whole can of worms.  An angle grinder will work, but I'd want a fine disk and some care.  You want to hit the edge but nothing else, and not too much, or it will make getting back to sharp a big chore.  I might go with a less dramatic approach.  Some fine grit (120-220)  paper glued to a flat piece of wood.  Lightly roll the edges enough to kill them.  I would use the black automotive papers (silicon carbide), I get good results with those.

There may be a adhesive tape solution, something that would go over the edge and cover it without looking bad, but that's out of my direct knowledge.  Anyone?

 

Geoff

[Alan Longmire]

I'd suspect it's not too hard, so I'd drawfile the edges and then hit 'em with the paper on a hard backer Geoff suggested. If he wants to sharpen it later, don't drawfile too much.  You'd be surprised how fast the edge will go away.  Even a little 6-inch mill bastard will make short work of this.  Use a single-cut file, double-cuts tend to leave a rougher finish that will be hard to smooth with sandpaper.