DIY Sword Craft Supplies

Diamond Finger Stones  

Nihonzashi has developed a line of diamond finger stones designed to polish the surface of a blade.  We mount flexible diamond abrasive on a thin bamboo sheet.  We use a foam layer allowing the abrasive to conform with the curved surface of a sword.  The 1" x 2" finger stones can be used for many swords without dulling.  Metal backed diamond abrasives aggressively remove material and resin based diamond abrasives polish the surface. 

• 40 micron (metal backing) (~450 grit) Resurface and reshape
• 20 micron (metal backing) (~1000 grit) Refine surfaces
• 10 micron (metal backing) (~2000 grit) Final edge shaping
• 18 micron (resin backing) (~1200 grit) Start surface polish
• 9 micron (resin backing) (~2200 grit) Start surface polish
• 3 micron (resin backing) (~4000 grit) Cleans up surface
• 1 micron (resin backing) (~10,000 grit) Polishes surface
• 1/4 micron (resin backing) (~40,000 grit) Leaves a mirror finish

Resin and Metal Backed Finger Stones

Unsurfaced resin backed finger stone and prepared version.

Resin based diamond finger stones cone rough and must be surfaced using water stones.  We use 400 and 3000 grit stones to prepare them.

3M PSA Lapping Film   

Tightly graded mineral particles are coated on polyester film backings to provide precision finishes. These sheets were developed to polish fiber optics, but work great for sharpening.  The abrasive is bonded with resin to a tough, waterproof mylar film and leaves a uniform scratch pattern. The adhesive backed film can be easily cut and applied to a backing of almost any shape.

• 12 micron (~ 1800 grit) shape edge
•  5 micron (~ 2800 grit) refines and produces a keen edge
• 1 micron (~ 10,000) polishes surface
• 0.3 micron (~ 30,000 grit) leaves a mirror finish
• Adhesive backed 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheets

3M Micro-finishing Film   

Micron graded minerals are electrostatically oriented on a high strength polyester film backing. This fast cutting abrasive provides precise, consistent, close tolerance finishes. For use on metal, fiberglass, plastic, wood, and solid surface composites.  Long lasting tough waterproof sheets provide a consistent scratch pattern.

• 80 micron (~ 260 grit)
• 50 micron (~ 400 grit)
• 30 micron (~ 600 grit)
• 15 micron (~ 1500 grit)
• 9 micron (~ 2500 grit)
• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheets

Susudake すす竹   

• Imported from Japan
• Aged and Smoked bamboo
• Used for mekugi pins
• Elastic yet tough fibers

Cotton Tsuka-Ito  

• Price per foot, 10 mm wide (Imported from Japan)
• Available in Black, White, Gold, Green, Purple, Dark Brown, Grey Blue, and Brown
• Cut Ito is not returnable - please ask for a sample if you are unsure of the color.

Black Cotton Tsuka-Ito (CAS)  

• 13 ft, 10 mm wide (CAS / Hanwei)

Blue Cotton Tsuka-Ito (CAS)  

• 17 ft, 11 mm wide (CAS / Hanwei)

Black Leather Tsuka-Ito (CAS)  

• 20 ft, 9 mm wide (CAS / Hanwei)

Ray Skin (Same' 鮫)  

• Skins are approximately 21" x 10"
• Used for covering tsuka (handles)
• Adds strength and a decorative covering
• One skin can be used for one full wrap or two panel handles
• Imported from Japan

Poplar Saya Blank  

• Approximately 41 1/2" x 2" x 1"
• Already split into matching halves

Buffalo Horn Block  

• Approximately 1 5/8" x 1 1/8" x 5/8"
• Great for making kurikata

Buffalo Horn Sheet  

• Approximately 2 1/8" x 1 1/2" x 1/4"
• Great for making kashira and koiguchi