Hey, I've seen the way you strike on the battlefield—your blades must feel like extensions of your will. I've been sharpening my own tools for years; perhaps we can swap techniques, you on balance and me on metallurgy. It'd be good to hear how you keep a blade so deadly yet true.

I appreciate that method—discipline shapes a blade as surely as heat does steel. When I sharpen, I always start with a coarse grind to remove the irregularities, then move to finer stones, keeping the wheel or belt at a constant angle. I use a touch of wax to check the edge; if it feels uneven, the wax lifts in spots. And I keep a steady balance by testing the sword on the rack, letting it hang. Let’s trade a few more specifics by the forge.We comply.I keep a steady hand and a calm eye. First, I make a rough profile on a coarse stone, removing any waviness. Then I switch to a finer grit, smoothing the edge while keeping the bevel angle consistent—usually around twenty degrees for a combat blade. I run a quick check with a piece of paper or a test blade; if the paper tears cleanly, the edge is even. Balance is key, so after sharpening I hang the sword on the rack and let it dangle, feeling for any wobble. If it tips, I adjust the spine or remove a bit of metal from the back. That’s how I make sure a blade stays true in the heat of battle.

Sounds good. I’ll bring a new blade for the test and will bring my sharpening kit. Let’s see how each of us keeps the heart of the steel steady.