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.
Richard Scroggins –
Solid but light. I have worked with Japanese swords for years as a Kendo practitioner, but this is my first purchase of a European sword of any considerable length. My first impression, other than how solid it feels, was how light it feels. This sword is very well balanced and feels great in the hand. No issues with fit and finish that I see. The pommel looks rough from hammering, but I prefer it that way. From what I can see and feel, the temper is good. This sword is at the top of the Hanwei line and it shows when you see it and feel it. While I have not done any heavy cutting yet, this thing should be a beast, being made from well tempered 5160.
Ray B. –
hanwei cawood sword I changed my handle to a oxblood color leather cord wrap with risers which looks great.Have cut various watter bottler,mata and small bamboo with no problem love the over all looks of the sword.My scabble got damaged so had to redo it some so made the color of handle oxblood.This is a very nice Viking sword,love the steel hanwei uses in their blades
hengishammer –
Amazing Balance!!!!! This sword is amazing. Feels like an extension of my arm. Not overbalanced in any way, and has some awesome details like a sword belt loop on the scabbard. If youre looking for an awesome viking sword—this is it. I own 3 other swords and this isnt whippy at all. You wont regret it.
Archimedes One –
Definitely the best Hanwei I own. This swords feels so good to swing that I couldn’t possibly not give it five stars, but there are a couple problems with it that should be considered. The first is with the scabbard. It’s nicer than most scabbards that come with swords in this price range, but the leather-work around the belt loop was a bit sloppy. Unfortunately, that sloppiness also carried over to the second problem which has to do with the peen-job. There were some fairly substantial hammer marks on the pommel itself which is not okay in my view.
I would definitely still recommend this sword because its an absolute joy to handle and is solidly constructed, but it’s not without its flaws.
Ian S. –
Fantastic This is definitely the best sword I have owned in my short life, but I am a long time window shopper– I think I know my stuff well enough to tell you to buy this right now. It came to me about a week after I ordered it, and in the usual shipping grease. Straight out of the box, the first thing that struck me about it was the incredible lightness of it. The 5160 steel is of Albion quality, and the overall effort put into the construction puts the balance just past the tips of the quillions. I haven’t tested it out yet (besides my usual impulsive “destroy the box from whence it came” ritual), but I can say that the lightness of the blade does not make it feel whippy at all! It’s a gem of a Hanwei, and my gripes are few– that said, there are gripes. One, I find the choice of leather to be a little a little to susceptible to dirt, and the construction of the belt loop looks rather unfinished. Minutia, as far as you should be concerned.
Mark M. –
Supreme is not the word…. I love this sword. Most of the comments made by other reviewers all ring true. This sword handles like a dream, and is razor-sharp. The leatherwork around the belt loop on my scabbard was actually quite tidy. My only qualm about the whole thing is the awful, orange-tinted leather on the grip and scabbard. It was nothing that a soft abrasive pad and some dark brown shoe polish couldn’t fix. DelTin makes a version of this sword, but it looks sloppy, has no scabbard, and is much higher priced. I would also say the DelTin would need sharpening before you could cut a melon with it. Not downing DelTin, though…..they make some beautiful swords. My Cawood is currently a ‘wall-hanger’….but it wont be when I decide to go to Ren-Fest in full Viking gear!!! Fantastic effort on Hanwei’s part! BRAVO!!!!!
Zac –
Marvel Beautiful sword.
Love what you did Hanwei
Only flaw i could possibly pick at is the end of the pommel bears some marks.
But now I will add some of my own! In Futhark, (old Norse) I am having the word ‘bitter cold’ engraved.
Lord S. –
FLAWLESS! Of all the swords I have bought from KofA,this is my favorite! I honestly cannot find a thing wrong with it. It’s lively,sharp,and feels like an extension of my arm. I would dare to compare it to swords in my collection costing 4 times as much that are domestically produced and it even comes with an artful scabbard! I may have to order a second one so I can have one for each hand.
Seriously, you can’t go wrong here. BUY this one!
Newarcher (verified owner) –
Love this sword, perfect for one hand use, not too heavy just right, fuller was slightly off but I’m not dissapointed with the sword, I had it sharpened and was done perfectly, I like the quality so much I bought the albrecht II sword which was a quality piece as well. I have no complaints just thanks for a quality piece.
TJF (verified owner) –
I am absolutely impressed with the quality of this historical replica! It is very lively in the hand and truly is a joy to behold!
The overall fit and finish is excellent. The blade has a minuscule amount of rippling, which is to be expected on hand forged blades. The square peen is very nicely done. The crossguard and pommel are tight. The genuine leather on the grip is skillfully wrapped. The scabbard is well made and holds the sword tightly. Kult of Athena did a notably fine job on the sharpening.
Overall, I am more than happy with my purchase. I HIGHLY recommend this outstanding and beautiful sword from Hanwei!
Do yourself a favour and purchase one!