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.
TIM M. –
The Fulham Gladius–a Truly Elegant Weapon This Fulham gladius with its stunning scabbard is an elegant product of the swordmaker’s art. I love just to look at it. The sword is substantive, yet light and perfectly balanced in the hand. It is a pleasure to do “thrust & cut” drills with it. Everything about it–from the shape of the blade, to the carved grip, pommel & guard–is beautiful. Mine is a Father’s Day gift from my son, a soldier on active duty, and I will always treasure it. I have made one, small modification to it, as a matter of personal preference: I like to wear my gladius on the left hip, versus the right hip, as the attractive baldric that comes with it is designed to do; so I took it to a local tack shop, and the elderly leather-crafter was happy to work with me to reverse the straps. It came out very nicely, with a minimum of cutting, & I am perfectly satisfied with the result. One further caution: when repeatedly practicing downward chops at the sides of your opponent’s neck, the pommel may chafe a bit on the heel of your sword-hand–no such problem with the straight thrusts at your opponent’s midsection, inner thigh or throat. In fairness, I am still analyzing my technique on the downward cuts–it is possible that a bit less wrist-snap, and a bit more gross-motor slashing, may resolve the chafing issue. Regardless, I genuinely treasure this finely-crafted, sweetly-balanced gladius with its jewel-like scabbard & tastefully-coordinated baldric, & I am grateful to those who created it for me.
Legio L. –
Fantastic Sword — Legio 14-approved This sword, as others made by Deepeeka have shown, is a fantastic addition and a very sturdy piece. Many legionaries in Legio XIIII Gemina use Deepeeka gladii, and this one is definitely one of the most common amongst our numbers. Definitely will be buying another gladius soon, this time– sharpened.
Angel (verified owner) –
I was anxiously awaiting this order it came later than expected bit arrived packaged well. The item however is not remotely up to the level I’ve come to appreciate KOA selling. This gladius is on par with something I’d buy at a flea market for my son to attack the weeds and bamboo with.. at best. The handle is mismatched not evenly sanded. Its grossly smaller than expected in circumference and handling dimensions. The felt thats barely glued on is coming off dat one. The fitting on the scabbard are coming lose as well. Its basically at this point a disappointing “battle ready” wall hanger not even fot for regifting. Big L on this one..