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.
Rick Miller –
Very good and very functional. I ordered this sword as soon as it became available at retailers. (It was too expensive through CAS Iberia)
The sword is a really well made an designed side sword that is responsive, well balanced and easy to control. Not a lot of effort was put into aesthetics, but these were soldiers swords that were adopted for civilian use so the finish is what one should expect. The sword itself is solid as a rock and the edge needed only a quick touch up to cut well.
As far as cutting goes, the only other single hander that I’ve cut with is an Albion Type XIV, so a fair comparison is impossible. I will say that it cut better than I expected and that with some practice I’m sure would be a very capable cutter. The “problems” encountered with cutting were mostly due to my lack of experience with this style sword.
This sword is in the same price range as the Windlass “Munich”, but there is where all comparison ends. This Kingston Arms sword weighs nearly a full pound less and is much more well built and responsive.
It’s good to have a decent cut and thrust side sword available at last without going bankrupt!
McM –
Simple, yet refined… I own the original Hanwei version (sharp) of this sword, and I can tell you now—this is the best example of a side sword I’ve seen in this price range. I’ve had multiple people want to buy it when I wear it to Ren fest, but the answer is always the same. ;) I’m sooo glad Kingston came out with this (again). Now maybe people will leave me alone! :D
suneidos –
For the price point, I think this is probably the best side sword on the market. It handles very well. I love the finger rings, it makes edge alignment easy. I touched up the edge and it cuts boxes and water bottles effortlessly. Everything has remained tight and in excellent condition for about 2 years now. I know that the review sample on Schola Gladiatoria Youtube Channel had the guard come loose, but I have had no problems like that. It could look better with a self applied cord wrap texture on the grip (wet the leather, and wind very tight with a cord until it dries, then remove the cord, leaving the texturing behind) But with the finger ring the grip is just fine. Definitely worth it, recommended and would buy it again.
IDont3venCare (verified owner) –
Bought this sword and it looks good and feels good in the hand although there is a bend in the sword about half an inch below where the fuller ends not major but noticeable and the tip is also bent about a quarter of an inch from the end in the other direction but neither of those are major and just noticeable also catches a bit in the sheath not sure if it is because of the bends or not but overall looks nice and feels nice
benjamin.h.wiseman (verified owner) –
Overall 4 stars (for the price!)
Pros: looks pretty, well made, good for thrusts.
Cons: dull blade, the “garlic” pommel and small grip make it hard to maneuver if you have big hands, high point of balance makes cuts difficult.
Biggest improvement needed: move the guard up to create more room in the grip, replace the pommel with something swept back to make it more maneuverable and lower the point of balance.
Robert –
I own the original Hanwei version of this sword, which I purchased for my wedding at the local Ren Faire 11 years ago. It’s a handsome sword that’s garnered a lot of attention, and it has kept well with a pretty lazy maintenance schedule with no surface rust or issues. I’ve yet to see a better example of a side sword for sale.
Joel (verified owner) –
A light quick bottle stabing sword. stabs more accurate than My spadroon due to the space for my index finger on the ricasso so I can hold it renaissance style. For the price a real good pokey thing.
david.aleshire87 (verified owner) –
Kingston arms is a name of a particular line of swords distributed by Cas Iberia and made by Hanwei so this is the exact same sword they used to sell but a bit lower priced and re released. This sword is pretty good for the price point.
The pros: feels great in the hand, lightweight, good for one handed slashing and stabbing, well balanced for the price and much lighter than other swords I’ve seen.
The cons: the leather piece covering the ricasso looks a bit cheap and unevenly cut and obviously glued to the blade, mine had a distinct stain mark on the leather handle and my least favorite is the nice big “MADE IN CHINA” laser etched into the blade. Now I don’t have a problem with swords made in China, a lot of hanwei swords are actually good, but it really hurts the historical look I am going for when reenacting. Can’t be seen from an audience to stage however it can be seen easily when examined at a fair or other location.
Sharpening: the pre sharpened blade is not evenly sharpened and mine was pretty dull. I prefer my blades sharp enough to slice paper but this blade did not come well sharped.
matthew.h.winkler (verified owner) –
This is a beautiful blade – in my opinion it finds a perfect balance between practical and stylish, functionally ornate but in no way gaudy. It’s very solidly constructed, and I haven’t had any wobbles or creaks anywhere. The blade is springy and the hilt is more than thick enough. The balance is excellent, and though it has some weight to it, it’s balanced very close to the hand.
This is my first rapier/side sword style blade, so I can’t properly compare the weight to other examples, but the weight and thickness of the blade seem like an excellent balance between durable and lightweight. Contrary to the stereotypes, I wouldn’t call this a fast blade (in terms of slashing, at least), but extremely precise and controllable. Point the tip at the target, take a step forward, poke a hole in the target exactly where you pointed it.
The sharpening by KoA is great, and it’s absolutely effective at cutting as well as thrusting. It slices paper even more smoothly than some of my kitchen knives, and sliced through a banana so cleanly it looked like something out of an anime. Very pleased all around.
Violet (verified owner) –
Beautiful, feels great and handles really well. Grip is long enough to use with or without the finger-ring comfortably. Pommel is not uncomfortable to grip with the off-hand even. It’s somewhat heavy. The sheathe is beautiful as well and it all seems of great quality.
That said, my blade came damaged. On both flats of the blade, from the tip to about 6 inches down the blade, what almost looks like some kind of acid ate away at it. this compromises the otherwise clean visual quality of the overall weapon, though the edges don’t seem to be affected.
soulpatch2020 (verified owner) –
I just bought this sword, and It’s very impressive. One thing I’m a little unsure about is why it was advertised as a Kingston Arms sword, because it has a Hanwei maker’s mark on the blade. Not complaining in the least, mind you.