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.
jarold d. –
Bosworth Longsword This is the second Bosworth that I’ve had. The first one was from a different retailer and was returned. Both swords show quality control issues, primarily with the sharpening process. On the first Bosworth (returned), about 1/3 of the blade edge was concave, as though the swordsmith feel asleep while sharpening it. This second Bosworth Longsword is better in terms of the edges of the blade being straighter, but not up to the quality that Windlass Steelcrafts has shown with other swords in their catalogue. Also on this second Bosworth, the scabard has a problem, though not serious. One of the plastic flanges at the throat of the scabard came loose and has been pushed far down into the scabard. Rather annoying, though it still works as a scabard.
I’m on the fence about returning this second Bosworth. The sword itself handles very well, it’s quick, it is sharp and feels quite solid (no rattles or loose crossguard/pommel, etc.). One edge has a section that was “oversharpened”, but not as drastic as the first Bosworth (which was returned). The scabard issue is “one more thing” about this particular model of sword that gives me pause. I don’t think I would buy it again unless I knew the quality control issues were addressed.
Roose Bolton –
Great thrusting sword Pretty decent balance. Weight is great, feels really agile. Mine didn’t come very sharp at all, still needs some work on that if I want to cut some tougher bottles. However, the blade is made for thrusting and it excels at that. Seems to be pretty tough too, haven’t noticed any damage in the blade or construction after some pretty hard strikes against a downed tree.
Brian O. –
Good first sword I’m new to the whole world of swords, whether they’re real or decorative, but I belive I did my research and have concluded that this is a real weapon made a quality materials with good construction. The nodes of rotation are right at the guard and about halfway up the blade. There is almost no space between the guard and the blade, the pommel isnt crooked and the blade isnt warped. I think that windlass did a good job with this weapon. Buy one while theyre still going at the introductory price. The reason I give it four stars is that it isnt perfect because it isnt pretty, what with the stonewashed appearance and rough peen, but if youre into that its not a problem.
Declan –
Too flexible I thought I had done my research also when buying a sword and brought the bosworth due to its price and reviews I saw. But it’s too flexible, I have tried to thrust with this sword and it bends when it encounters little resistance and I doubt it would thrust through leather etc certainly not through mail which I think if you were to thrust at a person in heavy clothing even you could have a real problem, thrusting it’s just too bendy, I like the sword I like the scabbard that comes with it but I don’t consider this a really usable sword and would not carry this in a sword fight you have to be able to thrust and this sword is too light, a heavier sword with less flexibility will I think take the day, it is nice though but I think its more a really nice wall hanger
harry b. –
outstanding sword MY example of the Bosworth is really well made, tight, and properly sharp for what it is. It’s stiff and thrusts well, with no inappropriate flex. i like the finish, even though not historical, it seems to have a decent protective quality. It came very well packaged and coated with preservative grease but not drenched in it! on the strength of this example i plan on purchasing additional pieces in this line
Ermenher –
Affordable and Good The sword feels great in the hand and is accurate in design with the exception of finish. The sheath is a nice addition for transportation. But the edge could have been much sharper, the angle was much to steep. Here is a video review https://youtu.be/uEiW-d-Gd-w.
Nick F. –
Incredible There are many reviews on this sword and I’m going to do my best to encompass all of the pros and cons.
Pros-
This sword is incredibly well build, sturdy, has a good weight and none of that windlass rattle I’ve heard so much about.
The blade is full tang with a very evident peen at the end of the pommel.
The leather grip has a nice feel.
The sword comes sharp enough to cut through cardboard, bottles, and possibly wood, though the last is not reccomended.
My sword had no overly crazy amount of flex, rather just enough, it was able to be bent quite a long way and then spring back into shape after being let go, and the cross section gives it a very good amount of stiffness, though not enough that it would break if stabbed through armor or anything.
Cons
The spiral riser under the sword can become uncomfortable after extended periods of holding the handle. (gloves reccomended)
The “scabbard” it comes with is not really a scabbard but a sheath, there is no wood under the leather, making the sheath flexible and somewhat annoying when the sword is drawn and the sheath flops around your leg, though it does not impare transportation and looks aesthetically nice.
The sheath has plastic flanges that secure the blade inside of it, when removed from it the blade has residue left on it, both powder and plastic. Though it is easy to clean off with your fingernail and/or a cloth.
The leather of the handle is seccured with stitching on one side of the handle, this can be uncomfortable. (Reccomend holding it so the stitching is facing towards your chest.
The scabbard seems to have some epoxy/liquid nails securing the blade to it. It adds to the security of the blade being held in, but come on, why not just make the collar for the blade to go in snug.
Final notes
The sword came well boxed and sell protected thanks to KoA’s quality shipping, I got mine in 4 days (ordered on a monday in the morning, recieved on the following Friday in the afternoon). I have always been very happy with KoA’s service on this.
The sword, crossguard, pommel, and the chape and collar of the sheath all came with a protective layer of grease, it’s easy to wipe off, and I reccomend doing so if you want to comfortably use this sword.
Other reviewers have complained about the sharpness, mine cam perfect, the edges all the same shape and the bevels perfectly alligned.
NO ONE ELSE has commented on this, but the sword has a slight ricasso (That flat section before the edge) it is not sharp but is the same thichness as the blade, so while it isnt sharp it is somewhat uncomfortable to use as it would be used in a historical sense.
Overall
This sword is wonderful, I love it. THis is my first Windlass purchase as I’ve been off and on about buying from them due to mixed reviews. I thoroughly enjo this sword an I hope this review helps all who look to buy one of these amazing pieces of art for themselves.
Randy M. –
Great after some modifications I bought a Windlass Stickelstad Viking Sword summer of 2017 and really liked it. Got this Bosworth a year ago during the Black Friday sale for $213. I used it for drilling and cutting for a month or so and noticed a few things.
I agree with Nick F. about the grip issues. The riser and stitching were both uncomfortable. Also, the leather wrap was very tacky and started to wear pretty quickly. Additionally, the wood of the grip was not tightly fitted to the tang, so it would rattle if you tapped it on the side of the grip. This did not affect indexing AT ALL, it was just a bit annoying.
Anyway, I took advantage of the small opening between the blade and crossguard to drip some Gorilla Glue down there (guided by a paperclip), let it rest a day, and no more rattle :). I also removed the leather wrap and riser, wrapped the handle with waxed cotton thread, then used some hockey tape over it. It’s something I’ve been doing with my feder, and I love it.
I’m also not a huge fan of bluing on the blade (I understand this is one of the ways they keep the cost down), as cool as the marbled effect the Windlass applied looks. I soaked some washcloths in white vinegar and wrapped the blade with them to convert the bluing to rust so I could remove it. I really enjoy the look of blued fittings, however, so I left those.
The sheath is fine for a sub-$300 sword, and the suspension is a bit funny-looking but very functional while letting the sword ride at a comfortable angle.
All that said, I can’t complain about the quality of this sword at all. I just took a budget blade and adjusted the aesthetics and grip to my liking. Now it looks great and is a dream to wield! I give it 4 stars because it isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty close to it for the price :)
Elias Katsaros (verified owner) –
I don’t have to say too many things about this sword. I received it this morning, and I loved it, beautiful sword!!!
Elias Katsaros