Avoiding Cuts

by Tajima
(Australia)

When polishing a sword, knife or any sharp implement, there is always a high risk of cutting fingers of limbs. To avoid this, here are a few tips:

- Wear thick gloves if you are sanding. Make sure they are clean.
- Always polish and oil with the blade facing away from you, and do not pull the cloth back. Stroke up, lift off and start again. It is easy to do.
- When sharpening, it may be a no-brainer, but make sure you have the whetstone secured on the ground or the bench you are working on - slipping can mean incisions!