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.
Aidan Blake –
Very Good Sword For The Price I purchased this sword from KoA about 6 months ago. It’s a mass produced sword so I wasn’t expecting perfection, however everything is nicely put together and feels solid. The grip is simple leather, nothing fancy but feels good in the hand. The pommel and crossguard are polished steel, simple but they look nice. I got the Fullered Sharp blade. It is not razor sharp, but has a decent edge. I have yet to try cutting with it. I purchased a dull blade as well, it is very easy to swap out the dull and sharp blades, due to the handy hex nut in the pommel.
Overall this is a handy sword, built well and easy to modify. My only qualm with it is that the handle is a bit short for doing two-handed technique. The Hanwei/Tinker Pearce “Longsword” would have been a better choice for me, it is closer in dimensions to Italian/Fiore size swords.
Richard Miller –
My first Cutting/Training Swotd I bought the Tinker Bastard Sword w/ Fuller (sharp) about a year and a half ago, and my entire opinion of European Marshall Arts was changed for ever! This is not the “best” sword that I own, but it is the one that I use most often both for cutting practice and strength training. The sword is incredibly versatile and very easy to handle. As a training sword and practical cutting sword, this is my choice above any other. l would recommend this sword to anyone interested in learning to use a sword either for fencing, cutting or just learning to handle a sword. easily one of the best entry level or training swords available at any price!
Josh –
Good sword, amazingly fast delivery. Got the sword a few days ago (2 days after I ordered it), my only issue was that the point of balance was about 4 3/4 inches from the cross guard when it was listed at 3 1/2, totally acceptable given the price range though.
ANDERKING –
Great quality, light and fast I just bought this sword few days ago. The sword is very easy to handle. I cut some water bottles for blade test, and the blade seems no damage after the test. I expect the sword would be longer, but it is a bastard sword, it shouldn’t be too long. For the price, this is the best beginner sword at this price range. One thing to mention, don’t buy the cold steel bastard sword, because it is too heavy for one hand use. and for two hand i rather go for a long sword.
Tre Miller (Sirtre –
Awesome sword. light and close POB make it a gem to handle. I did not find it to be moderately sharp as listed above, but instead found it to be real sharp on upper third of blade, medium sharp in middle third, and near blunt at forte third of blade… as a well designed sword should be. I have listed 5 stars, even though the sheath is synthetic, because for a production blade, and i am judging the sword, not the sheath.
My only misgiving is that I am not personally fond of the pommel nut system, though that is the design for interchanging with blunt trainer blade.
If you want a good euro style sword for a fair price this is a definite treasure.
Matt G. –
The perfect first sword for serious collectors I bought this sword a while ago and have grown to love it more the longer I’ve owned it. It is light, strong, and very enjoyable to practice cuts and stances with. The blade is sturdy and well balanced, while the hilt and pommel feel good in the hand when held. This sword is also aesthetically similar the longsword from the dark souls game series and it is anatomically similar to Balian of Ibelin’s sword from kingdom of heaven, both bonuses for any fans of those respective medias. All and all, a great sword to buy for any one with a collection of functional swords, or anyone interested in starting one.
Sir Patrick of Agatha –
Perfect first sword This sword is my first ever sword and as far as I can see this is a terrific sword, edge came as listed. I have tried to cut some thing with it and it is outstanding to handle. I highly recommend for a beginner sword!
Matt G. –
Follow up: still pleased This sword has only continued to grow on me the more I’ve owned it. Since my first review, I’ve done some more cutting and I’m still impressed. The edge is still holding up very well, and I’ve had no need to sharpen it since it arrived. My only complaint is with the grip itself. I said in my last review that the grip felt very nice in the hand when preforming cuts. I’ve since found the grip to be too narrow for my personal taste. However, all I needed was some nexcare medical tape (aka the perfect fake leather wrap.) and some black leather dye, and now it feels perfect. Again, great sword, cannot recommend it enough, and I look forward to buying a second one when they are dock in stock. Hanwei tinker pierce bastard sword = 2 thumbs up in my book.
Ben b. –
The Perfect Jack of All Trades. I recently bought this sword to finally add a true bastard sword to my collection, and it more than fits the bill. It is the only sword that i own that i truly feel is just as good one handed as two handed and vice versa. The balance is superb, and as it says the sword only comes moderately sharp. After taking about 20/30 minutes to the blade it was almost razor sharp, meaning i could almost shave with it. It takes the edge very easily and also keeps it. The temper is perfect, you can flex it to about 45 or 50 degrees but no further, and it always retains its shape. It is Longer and more lively than the cold steel bastard sword as well as lighter. Sadly though you definitely pay for that in the fittings. The construction is solid, but the fitting are pretty bland. its clear that money in this sword went into the blade and making sure that the balance was correct. The handle is a very simple wrap, and the scabbard has no ornamentation. The sword is handsome in its own right and well worth the cost, but dont expect it to be a fancy sword. I wouldnt say its a great first sword because it kinda babies you into being able to do everything. Other swords are way more purpose driven and the way they feel reflects that.
Aaron J. –
A good entry level sword This is a good sword for a beginning collector because it is relatively cheap and it performs well. I recommend getting the sharpening service on this one as the stock version isn’t very sharp. The best part about it is that you can easily disassemble and customize it, which is a blessing because the standard hilt components are a bit cheesy looking.
T.F –
Backyard cutter A great sword for the price. This is a he kind of sword you do not unconsciously over baby as the price is right. No flares or tricks, simple in its design and good handling.
T.F –
Backyard beater Purchased this as sword to abuse (in a non abusive sort of way). The sword feels very light in the hand, and the blade is quite thin. The leather handle wrap is quite average. The construction is solid. The top of the scabbard has a metal chape which can scrape against the blade (ouch). No reason for that. For the price, it is an good sword that you feel like you don’t have to baby.
Azaziel –
This is an excellent, reasonably priced sword. Cheap enough to be able to have fun with, without feeling like a cheap blade. The factory edge while “sharp” needed some work, but after sharpening it’s a razor now and seems to hold an edge very well. It handles great and cuts/stabs amazingly.
As with any Hanwei Tinker the scabbard is the unimpressive leather wrapped composite core, the blade is quite nice minus the budget crossguard/pommel. For the price point it’s still an excellent blade.
I’d recommend this as a great starter sword that wont break the bank.
Knight Who Says Ni! –
To people complaining about the plain-ness of this sword’s fittings, I say NONSENSE!
For me, the sheer quality of manufacturing and the inherency of well-provided-for functionality of this sword… IS style itself!
And make no nistake brother- and sister-knights, this sword IS well provided for in its functionality. To me the visually simplistic is its own pleasing aesthetic, especially when so present in favor of this sword’s more important and well-performed function as a weapon of the ancient battlefield.
Do you good people really think that the knight who was headed off to the front lines during the Hundred Year War was thinking MORE of whether his sword looked pretty than whether it would stand the test of time before his foes!?
NO!!!
He was thinking “I hope the smith I got this sword from made me a weapon that’ll take the abuse it’s about to suffer as I’m duking it out with ye olde enemy knights unto the bitter end.”
And this sword meets that requirement, I can assure you!
Besides, as I said earlier:
I prefer the beauty of a simplistic functional look anyway, which this sword has, when taking into account that it performs well under the stress of hard use. And that is what a tool of battle is supposed to be for.
Thank you.