straightsword

                     US Federation of
    Toyama Ryu Batto Jutsu NewsLetter's
   Dummies Guide to Sword Straightening

There is one concern that faces all students of tameshigiri at one time or another... what to do if you bend your sword. Sword bending is a common occurance. The fact is all forged swords will bend. This is preferable to breaking. Bending a sword is usually the result of either poor quality sword or poor quality cutting technique...sometimes both.
If you bend your sword we do not recommend you straighten it yourself. Inform your sensei or someone with experience to take care of your problem. Unless, of course you bend your sword every class. If you are that unfortunate we suggest you really work on your cutting technique and shell out for a better quality sword
Following is a professional guide to the fine art of sword straightening by one of the masters of bending, er, I mean, straightening swords.

Step 1) First determine if your sword is bent. Studies have shown that the time and effort put into attempting to straighten an unbent sword is pretty much time wasted.

Step 2) Set yourself up a nifty work area. Use some old tatami (un- soaked) to work on. This will provide you with a clean area that prevents un-necessary scratches to your sword or knuckles. Place the bent sword in your set of professional sword straighteners that you've been itching to use.

Step 3) Make sure you don't get any body parts caught in the straighteners during the procedure.

Step 4) Now gently but with strength "tweek" the blade as shown in the photo. It is important to use just the right amount of strength tempered by gentleness.

Step 5) Now carefully readjust the straighteners as shown. This is very important! Improper placement at this point could result in damanaging your sword worse than you did with your crappy cutting technique.

Step 5) Once again "tweek" the blade as shown using the exact same amount of gentle strength you used in Step 4. Be careful! Too much or not enough of the gentle strength at this point may result in improper "tweeking".

Step 6) Carefull dislodge the blade from the professional sword straighteners.

Now, as if by magic, you have a perfectly straight sword, as straight as the first day you drew it from the saya. Inspect it. Admire it. Feel proud of your masterful handywork. If there is still a slight bend in the blade simply repeat Steps 2 through 5 until you have the desired straightness. And Good Luck!

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