The Japanese katana was designed to take down a lightly armored opponent, the Medieval European broadsword was designed to take down a heavily armored opponent, and the Roman gladius was designed to pierce through light leather or bronze armor. What do all of these weapons have in common? Not a single one of them could do its job if its blade was not kept sharp.

What can someone do to keep a sword sharp? How does someone sharpen a dull blade? These are important questions, and the latter is important to a long-term sword owner. There are 3 ways of sharpening a sword, but the owner should ask if the blade needs to be sharpened. If the answer is yes, the owner can use a file and a whetstone, power tools, or an Accusharp to make his point.

Does the Blade Need to be Sharpened?

Many people think a sword needs to be razor-sharp, but this is a common misconception. Some swords, such as the epees used for modern fencing, are not sharpened at all. These blades, used to train people, are designed to prevent injury. Even if a blade is not used for training purposes, it still may not need to be sharpened. Razor sharp blades are actually weaker against an armored foe. Continually sharpening the blade removes the 'meat' of the sword. The meat of the sword gives the weapon the extra force needed to pierce armor or to deal with materials that’re harder than skin.

Using the File and Whetstone Method
This is a process of applying a file and a whetstone to the blade. A meticulous craftsman can take hours using this method, but it produces high quality results. It’s also less likely to damage the meat of the blade.

The Power Tools Method
Using power tools takes less time than using the old-fashioned file and whetstone, but it is something that must be done with care. While the grinding process is the same, it’s much easier to make the sword a wall decoration with this method.

Using an AccuSharp
The Accusharp is a power tool, but it's one that's specially designed to sharpen sword. It uses a principal similar to that of a grinding wheel. It's designed to give the sword a sharp blade without removing the meat that gives the weapon its teeth.

Using any one of these methods takes practice and skill. Someone without the skill can never get the best results no matter how much he practices. If a sword owner doesn’t think they can sharpen the blade on their own, they should consult a professional.