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.
Peter Palmeri (verified owner) –
I have seen no reviews anywhere about this sword (British Royal Air Force Dress Sword). I just got mine. Swords are like shoes in that not all styles fit everyone the same. This sword fits Me nicely. As a former NCAA Sabre fencer, I always envisioned a Brit Officer Sabre in my hand. Straight blade, primarily Thrusting Weapon; 1) Blade is rigid 2) relatively light 3) handle allows a “snugness” for better point control. I had the blade sharpened double edge (devastating thruster). Don’t think for a minute straight blades don’t cut. Granted this is not the best cutter, but I venture to put it on the Podium as a Thruster. I really like this sword in hand functionally. My only complaint is some of the finish work. All-in-all I’m satisfied with this Sword esp/considering price around $300 OTD. To get an actual RAF Dress Sword from Original Maker in England would run you $1500 before S&H.
Peter Palmeri (verified owner) –
A continuation of my initial review. Every Swords exact measurements may vary from producers original stat list. Most all were very very close, but one that wasn’t and may interest future owners is weight. Listed at 1lb 10.5oz (751g), mine weighted in at 695g. As a primary thruster and with my skill set, I personally really liked that. Somewhere and somehow before pics were taken on KOA site, someone either added shadowing on guard and Eagle Head handle in the printing of photos or actually painted (or markered) on the hilt? I like that but being a bit of an artist, I did it more subtly. In case anyone wants to do that, the Marker to use is Pigma Brush (brown). XSDK-BR117. A good Art Supply Store should have it. It has an elongated cone tip that goes to a very skinny tip.
Peter Palmeri (verified owner) –
Guaranteed my last review comment. I really like this sword in hand. My only complaint was a few finish details. Because I am more artistic than most, my standards are higher than most in this regard. Again, doctored up pics or things done to blade after receiving from maker? The circle in the Hex Star on blade right after blade leaves hilt is a press fit inspection mark? On blade, it’s a depression & brownish color. In pic, it’s a slightly elevated semi spherical goldish item. The brownish color of press fit is not bad, but the depression in the blade indicates a possible weakening of blade? With that aside and just esthetics my solution was layering coats of a metallic bronze/gold paint that’s pretty much exactly like color of hand guard. I layered coats to make the circle flush with blade. It looks more sound. I don’t know how much that press fit depression took away from structural integrity, but my esthetic change (as change in pic) at least draws critical eyes away from a potential structural weakness.