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What You'll Need
To safely and effectively sharpen your sword you'll need a few items. You'll want a wooden block to steady the sword while you work with it, a metal file and a whet stone, oil and 3M 400-grit emery paper.
Sharpening the Blade
First, position the top of the blade on the wooden block for stability. With the metal file make even strokes at a 30 degree angle to begin forming a rough edge. Continuously turn the blade over, don't focus too much on one side. Next, take the whet stone and apply a thin layer of oil. Move the blade back and forth in slow even strokes at a 30 degree angle to polish it. Make sure to maintain the geometry of the blade. Finally, cut a stamp sized piece of the emery paper and wet it slightly. Very carefully run the paper along the edge at a 30 degree angle. The blade should be very sharp now and cutting yourself would be very easy.
Tips
Make sure you choose a work area with plenty of room and plenty of light. Start practicing on a cheap blade before trying this on a nicer one, and leave the antiques for the professionals. Don't use power tools; the heat from the friction could ruin the blade. Never rush while sharpening a blade and always focus; turn off the TV and concentrate on what you're doing or you'll get cut. Remember to allow the sword's edge to reveal itself. Don't think of the process as "sharpening" so much as removing metal until the blade's edge is naturally exposed.