The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing by Hiroko Kapp, Leon Kapp, Setsuko Takaiwa, Yoshindo Yoshihara (2006, Hardcover)

There are very few people that truly understand the rare artform of sword polishing. The Japanese mastered it. There are subtle things to be understood about Katana swords, so that one can become a more informed buyer.

This book is not just some "practical guide". There are lots of those books out there, and there is some value in them. This book is meant to uplift your understanding so that, like the authors, you too can come to appreciate the small subtle things that make the steel into a work of art.

I was most impressed by how the author makes sure the reader understands how drastically the sword polisher affects the appearance of the blade. I came away from reading this with a new understanding of how steel can be very absorbant and easily altered in it's appearance just by choosing to use various polishing compounds.

The author goes into great detail describing the individual effects of those compounds and stones, and how each can add beauty (or totally destroy) the appearance of a blade.

I was somewhat displeased that the author didn't include a reference list of sources by which the reader might obtain some of those compounds. Although a resourceful person won't be hindered by the lack of this.

My own meager polishing skills have improved as a direct result of reading this book. I was able to reverse much of the damage I had done to an otherwise beautiful folded steel blade. This book really opened my eyes so that I was finally able to see the harm that I had done through a lack of education.

I highly recommend that you purchase and read this before ever buying or attempting to sharpen / polish a katana. It may save you money in the long run.

Thanks for your time!