Overview
Our sharpening service will provide a good serviceable edge on the blade. The result is typically “very sharp” with a small secondary bevel and a bit of an “apple seed” profile. The resulting edge is somewhat dependent on the particular blade. Some blades will take and hold sharper edges than others and the thickness of the blade will determine how wide the bevel will need to be. We adjust the angle of the edge to suit the specific blade and attempt to get as close to a bevel-less edge as possible without marring the surface of the blade.
The Sharpening Process
The sharpening service is done with a belt sander. The process involves many passes with sanding belts of various grits. The blades are rested between passes to prevent them from becoming hot and damaging their temper. By default we will sharpen as much of the blade as possible including any false edges if appropriate. If you have a different preference, feel free to make that request in the special instructions at check out. We can sharpen only the last half or third of an edge, for example. Our sword sharpening expert has personally sharpened several thousand swords at this point, so will provide you with a professional service.
What the Service is Not
The resulting edge will be “sword sharp” not razor sharp. Our goal is to provide you with a usable edge for cutting practice that will hold up to some use and not require constant re-sharpening. In other words, we intend to provide you with a serviceable weapon, not a personal grooming implement. The service will not provide a completely bevel-less edge. To create that type of edge will necessarily scratch up the blade surface and we lack the machinery and time to provide a full re-polishing of a blade’s surface. A service of that nature would be significantly more expensive as a great deal more time would be required. We do not offer this type of service at this time.
Disclaimer
We make no guarantee that the resulting edge will meet with your expectations. Every blade is different and some will take and hold a sharper edge than others, due to the blade material, heat treatment or geometry. Some customers can also have incorrect assumptions about sword sharpness and improper expectations as a result. All we can say for sure is that the resulting edge will be sharper than the default edge, in most cases, significantly so. We can not provide any refunds for the service once it has been completed, so consider it to be provided “as is”. That being said, if you are unhappy with the product for any reason, we do still allow you to return the item for a full refund, including the sharpening costs under our normal return policy. This does not apply to special sharpening requests, for example if we sharpen something specially for you that does not normally list that option on our site. The vast majority of our customers are happy with the results of the service, so as long as you keep the above mentioned in mind, we are confident you will be pleased with the results as well.
Shogan –
Very happy with purchase. Great sword for the price. This is my first real sword, and I’m very happy with my choice. I was looking for a sword at the sub $300 price point, and after reading tons of reviews at the various sword forums, and watching as many review videos as I could find on YouTube, I decided on the Hanwei Rhinelander.
A few notes:
– The hilt furniture is very well put together, and the crossguard is tight to the blade. No gaps.
– There’s no play or wiggle in the hilt. The pommel is tightly peened.
– The leather grip is a bit spongy, but is comfortable and gives a good positive grip on bare skin.
– To my eye, the blade looks straight. The finish is matte, with a highly polished fuller. Fuller is straight and centered.
– While the edge geometry is the same, there is a ricasso about 2″-3″ wide at the base of the blade.
– You can see hammer marks on the blade if you hold it to the light at certain angles (a positive for me).
– Center of percussion is a couple of inches past the end of the fuller.
– Point of balance is about 5″ past the crossguard.
– The blade is very comfortable to use with two hands, and can (I think, reasonably) be used single handed.
– The scabbard seemed sturdy, and fit the blade tightly. I was able to invert the scabbard without any slippage.
I don’t intend to try cutting with this until I’m comfortable with the blade, so no comments there.
As I said, I’m very happy with the Rhinelander. It definitely meets my expectations.
Steve –
Great for early sword collectors. As with other reviewers, this is definitely a good sword for its price.
I’ve had this sword for about a month, and I’ve had had no problems with its construction after some moderate cutting.
Only problems I had was that it wasn’t as sharp as I had expected, and the blade finish is a bit rough, but I was able to polish and sharpen it with some fine grit sandpaper.
Overall, great sword for its price, and would definitely recommend this for anyone starting out with sword collection.
Jean-Philippe Gingras –
Very happy with this sword The sword handle well and feels good in the hands. It also cut very well, no doubt about that. It is also a tough sword that can take a beating. The fit and finished is spot on, there is no gap between the crossguard and the blade. It is not the prettiest sword but keep in mind the price which is fairly low. There is a lot of value for the price in this sword. The sword is 100% functional and cut like a beast. It’s not the sword with the best aesthetics but it’s cutting performances will not disappoint you. If you are a beginner or looking for a sword that you can use without worrying of damaging it this is the sword you need.
Will –
Key word: Value Such a pleasant surprise, this one! While it doesn’t come with the elegance or refinement of the pricier options, this Rhinelander is fit as a fiddle. Tight construction all the way around; gaps and tolerances are close; rattles non-existant. Not the most luxurious build, but you won’t find any cut corners here as you would with so many others in this sector of the market. Overall, a very confidence-inspiring piece.
The blade, however, is the real showstopper. Just lovely. Fit it to an Albion chassis, and it would be a challenge to turn it down at twice the price. Of course, aesthetics are subjective, so if you prefer a mirror finish, you’ll need to bring your polishing game to this party. Evidence of human input abounds, as this doesn’t benefit from CNC precision, but there is nothing of particular concern, here. Hammer marks can be seen with a squint (requiring much less effort to detect on the pommel), but imperfections are minimal overall, and depending on your persuasion, may add to the appeal. As far as performance is concerned, the Rhinelander is a peach. Balance is excellent, offering a pleasing blend of agility and power. One-handed operation is definitely on the menu, making this a true hand-and-a-halfer. And while I elected to tune up the edge a bit with a belt grinder, it’s not strictly necessary. KoA’s assessment of “moderately sharp” is accurate, and it is adequate as is. You won’t be doing surgery with this one, but I’d prefer not to be at the business end when it’s angry, all the same.
I’d wager the main competitor here is the Cold Steel H&H, which I also own, and if you’re caught in between, it’s really a simple choice. The CS is certainly hearty, but it is also ugly, awkward, and slow. Though actually shorter and narrower than the Rhinelander, it manages to feel heavier and less willing (and it’s not close…the differences aren’t subtle). It’s a lazy mover, while the Hanwei is always eager. The stock edge on the CS is sharper, strictly speaking, but it is uneven, making it a clumsier cutter than it has a right to be. The Rhinelander is a slow starter here, but it takes a brilliant appleseed edge from a belt grinder, which made mine paper-cutting sharp in 20 minutes (phone book paper, no less). And as if the gulf wasn’t wide enough, the CS does a comparative faceplant in the fittings department, as well. While the threaded pommel is an adequate example of the breed, the Hanwei’s peen leaves little room for debate, here. And though the Rhinelander is hardly a jewel-encrusted museum piece, you’d be forgiven for thinking the block-headed CS was styled by a three year old at Lego Land.
Ultimately, the Hanwei Rhinelander is by no means a thousand dollar designer thoroughbred, but it comes a hell of a lot closer than any sub-$300 contender has a right to (especially if you’re a willing modder). It meets, and largely exceeds, any reasonable expectation for this price bracket, so if it’s value you’re concerned about, you can close the book on that one. With all the practical boxes ticked, it comes down to aesthetics and personal taste. I lopped the ring guard off of mine with a quick round of dremelling, which improved the profile to my eye (and also dropped an ounce or two off the overall carriage weight), but otherwise left it untouched. That said, it is admittedly not a masterclass in historicity, so know that going in. But don’t pass on this one strictly on the basis of quality, because at least on that front, the Rhinelander really delivers.
Mark M. –
What a sword should be…. The Hanwei Rhinelander is, by far, a crowning jewel in my collection. I can’t say anything that has not already been said. She’s beauty and the beast all rolled into one. I’m confident that this sword will be passed down to my grandchilderens children. As far as performance goes, I would put it against most anything on the market….even high-enders like Albion. It’s not perfect….yes, you CAN see little hammermarks on it. Yes, it’s not as shiny as it could be, and the pommel looks like a lightbulb. But…Having said that, this is probably the best ‘all around’ sword I own. She’s at home on my side at Ren Fest, and at home in my hand in front of a target. If you don’t own this sword, you owe it to yourself. You will not be disappointed. And remember…BUY KOA…OR STAY HOME.
Julian H. –
Could not recommend this sword more, especially for the price. This sword is one of the best swords you can get fro the price. The fit and finish, at least on mine, were great. Common sights on swords of this price range, such as large gaps between the blade and crossguard were not apparent on this particular sword, although one of the quillons was slightly bent, but I only noticed this after about a month and a half of owning the sword, and it may have come from practicing the murder stroke on an old watermelon which went a bit awry when I ended up hitting the stand after smashing said watermelon. Some minor cosmetic defects on the blade, such as some hammer marks and a slightly uneven fuller (on one side, the fuller is a millimeter or two longer). It handles very well, better than most of my other swords- it is light in the hands, has great blade presence allowing for great cutting power, and a point acute enough for thrusting. Overall, a great sword.
I highly suggest this to anyone looking to buy a very very nice budget sword.
Adrian E. –
This was my first sharp sword It is a very well made sword, very good construction, edge was lacking but I had a sharpener so it was not a problem. I’m happy with this product and just want to point out that the POB on mine is 4″ exactly not what is listed above, which is good in my opinion. It’s worth every penny for a budget sword to practice and cut with. Currently don’t own a feder so this is what I use to practice. Slow practice of course, it takes a very fine edge.
Broderick –
Long awaited and worth it. When I first started to look at real swords, this is one that immediately caught my eye about 4 years ago.
Long story short, I have never been so satisfied with a purchase for the price, ever. One of the few times that I have not have buyer’s remorse.
It is has all the quintessential longsword feeling that I had always imagined when watching LOTR or (insert Fantasy Here).
I really do enjoy this sword, my second favorite, first being the Diphos from Zombie Tools.
O. W. –
Nice, all around sword. Great value for money. Nice looking sword, but a rough peen and ricasso is slightly too long in my opinion.
The blade came decently sharp, good enough to cut paper and the point is very impressive.
Hilt assembly is good, grip feels nice, no gaps at cross guard but as mentioned before the peen is rough, I can see where the tang hasn’t been fully hammered against the pommel as there is a gap, but nothing is loose and doesn’t fell like it could, so not too worrying.
Handles very nice and feels agile in the hands, hefty in one hand but perfect for two.
I did not purchase from this retailer, but felt it was a great place to leave a review.
Shaun W. –
Hanwei’s Masterpiece! I just received my Rhinelander sword today, in which came extremely quick ordering from KOA. Now I know why this Hanwei sword is so popular and proud to be a one of the many owners of such an elegant solid piece! Thank you KOA for making sword buying a wonderful experience!
Swordjunky –
Not too bad. Not bad at all. You could do better for this price point but not by much. I really like the style of this sword. What I don’t like is Hanwei’s quality control or lack there of. I will say the blade has too much flex for me but not a deal breaker, I will probably never do cut test with it. It will however look very good on the wall. It looses two stars for QC issues on the scabbard, very rough peen, and for too much blade flex. I would recommend this sword for light cutting only.
Trevor M. –
Awesome but dull This sword is fucking awesome, the gap of the cross guard on the blade is basically non existent which is astounding for a sword at the price point. This isn’t the perfect sword but it manages to be right under perfect in a lot of ways. My complaints though are that it’s not sharp, it has a nice apple seed edge but I can run my hand along it without any real fear of being cut. The handle is a bit short for my liking but I knew that before a bought it and it’s not a mistake or anything on the makers part just what they chose to do. Some people complain about the very rough looking peen but I like it, gives it a bit of character. The sword isn’t super shiny or polished etc. but I think all of that actually adds to the aesthetic of the sword. It has that “I’m beautiful because I’m a well crafted tool that’s great at my job with no unnecessary frills” thing going for it
Acherontic Arts –
Insane quality for the price. I’ve had this sword for about 4 years now, and its FINALLY gotten a little wobbly in the hilt, after 4 years of very frequent use.
This thing stands above and beyond for its price. Its lightweight, (i have heavier one handed swords) durable (4 years of test cutting) and cuts nicely.
It didnt come the sharpest, which is an easy fix, and still had a wicked tip.
The thinner profile allows it to thrust well, and the blade has just enough width and flexibility to cut reliably. Its tough, its pretty, and its affordable. I cannot recommend it enough. It feels like a 500 dollar sword
Granted yours may not come as perfect as mine, as they are mass produced, but from my experience the quality control is pretty top notch.
The cons: the leather grip and scabbard. The leather that the scabbard and grip are made from, isn’t the best material, the scabbard altogether is rather meh, but I consider it a bonus. The leather on the grip may wear off quickly if you use it often, reupholstering it completely or re-gluing the grip fixes the issue neatly, and is a worthy tradeoff for the price of this thing.
It’s a great length, weight, durable, functional, pretty, and VASTLY outperforms anything else in its price range. It makes a wonderful starter sword, and its a great piece to get as someones first sharp blade. Best part? it kicks ass and wont break the bank.
Ben –
awesome sword So far I received the sword last year, after waiting almost 2 years to be able to get one. It’s been worth the wait, I have been very happy with it so far. It’s my first real sword and it’s been a great piece for me to learn with. When I can manage good edge alignment it cuts wonderfully, though I could probably have sharpened it better to be honest. The sword feels great in the hand and doesn’t come of as cheap. I can swing it confidently without worrying about it breaking when cutting tougher materials. The guard came a little loose in the beginning but only slightly. My grip is starting to wear but that should be easily fixed. The only problem I have is the handle is a little too short for me. Not a problem on the swords part, as this is my personal preference that just developed after owning the sword, still very new to all of this haha. If you can get your hands on one of these I highly recommend it.
T.F –
Ordered two of these The construction is solid and the blade feels responsive in the hand. The style of the blade is excellent and the ring-guard adds an extra aesthetic which sets it apart from the standard bastard sword. Worth having in my collection for that different sort of look. No glaring issues with this one. Bought another one as a wedding gift. Cheers!
Ben Hudgins –
My wife bought me this sword from KOA years ago (2018 I believe), it was the first actual sword I’ve ever owned, and have used it more than any other sword in my collection. If you’re someone looking to get into HEMA, or just want to have fun with it, I think this is a great beginner’s sword.
1. The price, this is a really reasonably priced piece for what you’re getting. The build quality and nice aesthetics with the swept guard and ring make it stand out at this price point. The grip is short but feels good in my medium hands (someone with large hands might find it too short).
2. Functionality, the sword is more of a cut-centric blade to my understanding, and it definitely balances more towards the blade with a POB of about 4 inches. However, I think it still handles very well, especially if you’re learning longsword techniques (which I’m a complete novice at). One of the only complaints I have is also kind of positive, and that’s the blade flexibility. While the temper feels good, it’s too flexible and whippy when swinging it around. This makes it much harder to cut unless you have good edge alignment. However, I feel like this was extremely helpful to me when learning, as even if it’s more than sharp enough to cut with, it won’t do so very well without good edge alignment. When it’s aligned well, the sword cuts fantastically.
3. Construction-wise, it’s maybe not a tank but’s pretty tough. I had no intention of babying this sword, as it was my first and I intended to use it a lot. It actually came damaged with a rolled edge. I originally used a carbide knife sharpener on it, which gave it a decent edge, but later when I sharpened it with a belt grinder, it made a world of difference. The blade profile made it fantastic to make super sharp, and it sails through tatami easily. The first day I got the sword, it fell over when leaning against a wall, and landed straight on one of the quillons. This loosened the crossguard, which even after shimming twice, has stayed loose but never was an issue during use. The pommel after all these years of moderate to some heavy use hasn’t come loose. The handle has held up well, but the seam is starting to fray on the grip. Eventually, I will put a new leather wrap on it.
Overall, I think this is an amazing piece to start with and is still one of my favorite swords to use. I might actually get another one.
knowledgeispower1482 (verified owner) –
This sword is a bit of a mixed bag. Its nice, but has a few big issues which you should be aware of before buying.
The Good:
1. The blade has excellent geometry. No secondary bevel at all, one single angle all the way to the edge (on the part of the blade that actually has an edge). One of the nicest edge geometry’s I have seen on such an affordable sword.
2. The construction is solid. The cross guard and pommel are nice and tight, very little gap between the blade and the guard.
3. Surprisingly good thruster. Its a very cut-centric blade but that tip can really do some damage.
4. Aesthetically pleasing. The blade is very beautiful.
The Bad:
1. The sword is VERY blade-heavy. Even though it is listed as a “hand and a half sword” there is no way you are using this thing one handed other than in the thrust. If you can cut with this sword one-handed (and actually recover) then you must have arms like a gorilla. It can give some really powerful cuts (with both hands on the hilt) but if you were planning to use this in the same way you use your practice feder then this sword is not for you. With that being said even blunt this thing would be incredibly dangerous to whoever you are swinging it at, so there is an upside. This is only really a big problem because of issue #2.
2. The handle specifications are innacurate. The listing says that the hilt is 9 3/4 inches but thats including the pommel. This was very confusing because on other sword listings the pommel is not included in the length (the balaur italian longsword hilt for example is significantly longer but is listed as being 7 3/4 inches, which should make it shorter than this sword when its not). The actual length of the handle is only 6 1/4 inches which makes it quite short. Taken together with the blade-heaviness of the sword makes this sword quite unweildy. Fully gripping the pommel of the sword is pretty much mandatory. Again, this is not historically unusual but i wish the specs had been accurate so that i could have known what i was getting before i bought it. This type of blade would have been much better mounted on a larger handle for more control. The bottom half of the handle is also super narrow and cylindrical which makes it even worse.
3. The scabbard is just down-right terrible. Its so tight that you need to use all your might to pull out the sword. On top of that the sword does not go down all the way unless put back just right. It takes me multiple tries to get the thing back in. I have made it a little better by cutting out some of the rubber near the throat but its still not great. It also leaves tons of little specks and debris on the blade when you unsheathe it.
4. The bottom half of the blade is completely blunt. Totally flat. Like you could press down on it with all your weight and not cut yourself at all. The rest of the blade has an edge its just as dull as a butter knife. Not what i was expecting when i bought a “sharp” sword (nobody mentioned this in any of the reviews so maybe they changed this recently??). I would have ordered the sharpening service but none was listed for this sword (i looked for it but could not find it anywhere, maybe i missed something). I plan on buying the tools necessary to sharpen it myself but seeing half the blade blunt was a pretty big disappointment.