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.
Danny Clarkson –
First impressions I got this tanto few weeks ago and write my first impressions about it. I will be honest with all cons and pros.
Well it is not perfect. if you look at blades spine from above it is a bit asymmetric. Same goes for tsuba, it’s not perfectly rounded. But it doesn’t affect handling so I’m forgiving it all as these imperfections gives a hand forged look to the item, even thought I am quite sure Cold Steel do not hand forge their blades. The overall look is very good actually if you don’t take deeper look to inspect every minor detail. I noticed some very minor scratches on the blade and I’m not sure how and when they were made as I didn’t cut things with this tanto yet, but it may be my fault or even if it came this way those scratches are too small to complain. I forgive all cosmetic flaws as long as it is functional and solid blade. For $250 it’s a good and strong tanto for practical use.
It is a blade heavy, but its made for cutting so it cuts better this way and good item to train your grip and wrist. I like its weight. While I didn’t cut things with it yet, I do swing it in air a lot and very fast to train my wrists and its mass becomes a problem as handle seems to suffer from G forces that appears by swinging it fast and strong (mostly suffers its wrapping cord which is still tight, but loses its original diamond shape). And well some kind of minor noises sometimes I hear coming from “joints” between handle and blade, but no movement of those parts yet. Still solid. But will it last long if I keep this kind of “abuse”? (swinging it fast IN AIR I mean, no contact with targets yet) …I’ll see. Of course it is assembled just like a historical tanto so I can’t complain, real tanto also didn’t have full tang and it could have the same problems. And I prefer historical accuracy even over reliability, but don’t get me wrong, it is still solid and strong and worth those $250 (which is quite cheap I guess) but not worth its original price of $500. And I can’t wait to cut (bottles) with it. In general I am happy with it. It is functional, solid enough and good for practical use. Nice piece to my collection. Hopefully it will serve me long and well.
P.s. sorry for my broken English.
Flip (verified owner) –
I did purchase the Standard grade on sale but would still leave 5 stars regardless of price. It is a beautiful piece.
Wrap and fittings all tight. Lovely blade profile with no blemishes at all, and also quite sharp. Nicely contoured grip and a gorgeous saya. I can’t speak for durability as it was purchased for display only but yes, it could de-limb things.
Packed very well (as always), for shipping and arrived quickly. Thanks again KoA!