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.
Andrew W. –
Great Axe, but Needs Some Work This axe is finely crafted. The edge is fairly sharp with a gleaming polish while the antiqued finish on the head providing a nice contrast. The haft has a nice deep finish, contours nicely to the hand, and has proven solid after some use. The problem, however, is how the head and haft are joined. After a few strikes into a felled tree limb, I was surprised to see that the head had come loose. It seems the only thing holding it on was epoxy. I hammered the haft back down, drilled through the head, and drove a 1/4″ steel pin through it and now it is on solidly. If you want a nice display item, this axe is fine as it. If you intend to use it, however, it’s going to need some reinforcement. Overall, this is still a very nice weapon to add to any Viking’s arsenal and at such a low price that a little modification is excusable.
Andrew. F –
Nice axe but. My main gripe is the thickness of the blade of the axe. Its more like a half inch thick with a taper to the edge… Once your about 1/2 inch from the actual edge its about 3/16 in thick… Axe total weight is 3lbs on my digital scale which runs a tad light… Blade is just a little to thick. Causes it to be too cumbersome. Needs to be 1/8 in thinner from tapering off the eye to cut off a few ounces i do not think the integrity of the steel would be compromised. Tough stuff!
Mike M. –
Badass Axe for all and all for axe badassery This beast comes pretty to look at with the polished edge and the nice wood stain of the haft. It almost looks like a fine redwood haft. There’s no pins drilled through the top of the shaft like the Danish axe from Hanwei, making it very strong. It may get loose from excessive use, but a couple tacks or a small wedge will keep it firmly in position.
The shaft is solid, the length is great for one or two hands, if you use it with a shield you need to train for a while to get used to it’s length or you can cut the shaft to your preferred length. I prefer to keep that haft long for the extra reach.
I used Mathisens custom leather on Facebook to put leather wrapping for the handle and a nice X lashing the head to the haft and giving it a nice Viking look down to the handle. Well worth that extra
Cost in my opinion.
The only thing I disliked about it was the sheath for the edge fell apart after little to no use, the stitching came loose and that was that.
Overall 9.5/10, great for a wall hanger, reenactment, training, exercising and any other use – it will cut firewood should you want to use it for that purpose.
Rick Miller –
I think that this is really just about the best the best fighting axe (and damn good camp axe!) to be found at anywhere near this price. I’ve had mine for a few years now, and it is one of 12 medieval/migration era fighting axes that I own.
It’s not nearly as intimidating as a Danish axe or a Huskarl’s axe, but many people don’t realize that axes of the type and proportions was a weapon that had to be mastered with all the dedication one would need to master the longsword or arming sword and buckler. Such weapons were only used by men dedicated to their style of fighting. This axe, however could be used with great effect with only a few months of training.
The proportions of this axe are such that a man of less than behemoth proportions could swing it quickly and accurately to deadly effect. The axe is solid and well made with a robust head and solid, tough haft. My axe came with a good edge, and the steel holds an edge very well. This axe is more than intimidating enough to strike fear (and skulls) with the enemy, and utilitarian enough for camp chores short of felling trees. This is not the biggest or finest axe that I own, but honestly, it would be the one that I would reach for if some Lombards or Saxons (Or a big old bear) wandered into camp!
this really is a good, solid weapon!
Cranck Lord (verified owner) –
Axe head wasn’t attached to the handle when it arrived
Dawson (verified owner) –
Axe head was not attached to the shaft very disappointed.