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.
Collin –
Hanwei Tinker Norman The Hanwei Tinker line, swords designed by well-known bladesmith Michael Pearce and produced by Hanwei, really are the top of the line for beginner/budget swords. With its proper distal taper (almost never found on other budget swords) and wide fuller, the Norman is as light and agile in the hand as one could hope a sword this broad to be, while the blade shape and forward balance give it tremendous cutting ability. It came sharp enough to cut with no problem, and after many many soft targets (cardboard, bottles, etc) all it’s needed is a quick touch up with a polishing stone. Blade has a very much satin finish which makes superficial marks less visible, but if that’s not to your liking you can polish it up. Fittings (guard and pommel) are of stainless steel; not just plated, as when I tried to blacken mine even a very vigorous sanding just led to more stainless. Leather parts (grip and scabbard) are a very plain black, but other than aesthetically (and that’s all opinion, anyway) they’re fine. Note, though, that the scabbard really doesn’t fit- the Norman seems to use the Viking’s scabbard, and is a few inches too long and leaves the last few inches of the sword to rattle around. But really, for the sword being as high quality as it is for the price, I viewed the scabbard as more of a freebie and made my own that fits better and is more historically appropriate.
Mct –
Excellent sword, horrible scabbard The sword is light and handles well, no significant QC issues noted with the sword. The POB is high but appropriate for a sword of this type and the significant distal taper is worth noting as well. The grip is very comfortable once you get used to the pommel shape. The edge has no scondary bevel and was paper cutting sharp on mine. The proximal 5 to 6 inches of the blade was not sharpened, not sure what to make of that, but it doesnt bother me.
Bad: THE SCABBARD. It looks fairly nice, and fits the sword quite snugly, but the core is obviously of two pieces, starting as wood at the throat, and changing to another material somewhere deeper in (heard it’s fibreglass). The sword tends to get stuck on this transition point occasionally when inserting it into the scabbard. Not so bad, but the really bad issue is that the inside of the scabbard likely rubs on the edge of the sword, noticeably dulling it, especially the distal bits of the blade.
Lastly, 4 pins hold the chape onto the scabbard. one of the pins was missing on mine.
My recommendation: The sword is very, very, good. especially for the price. One of my favourites in my collection, and arming swords arent even a style i like very much. Get it if youre considering it. Toss the scabbard in the bin. (salvage the chape for DIY projects first!)
Mark M. –
Fantastic…. I bought this sword when they first came out, and I loved it. I say ‘loved it’, because I wound up trading it for a Hanwei side sword. I missed it so bad ,I bought another one. I can’t say much that has not already been said. This sword is a little beast when it comes out of the box. It begs to cut, and handles like an extension of the arm. I have fairly big hands, so the pommel tends to dig in a little on hard swings, but nothing a pair of good gloves won’t solve. The overall fit and finish are first rate. The guard and pommel are mirror polished(no exaggeration) and the grip is rather plain, but well made and comfortable. The scabbard, on the other hand, is not so great, but it serves its purpose. I recommend this sword highly to anyone interested, whether a newcomer or a seasoned collector/cutter. She won’t win any beauty contests, but she’s got it where it counts. Hands down, a fine weapon…….McM
ryan s. –
ryan shaw – hanwai tinker peirce norman sword best sword i have ever owned ! sharp , has no problems cutting plastic , water filled bottles , i have cut through five 2 liter milk bottles with a single swing, was easy & could probably do 10 bottles at one swing – here the video (much better than the above video too, by the way) https://www.facebook.com/ryan.shaw.54390/videos/vb.100000729225730/1349170091783952/?type=2&theater
the balance & distal tapper on this blade is extreamly impresive for a low budget sword – highly recommend this norman sword & now i soooo want the tinker viking sword sharp too lol
Patrick –
Good blade, trash scabbard Every time I unsheathe the sword I have to clean dark glue and other sticky substances off of the tip because when sheathing it, 3/4 of the time it digs into random protruding flaps of leather or rubber within the scabbard.
gpete79935 (verified owner) –
I received the sword today and all I can say is “Wow” am I happy with it. It looks great, the balance and lightness are super.
An excellent sword at twice the price.
Scabbard will make a good basis for a conversion. I think with a viking theme.
Newarcher –
Very stoutly built quality sword, comes sharp enough, the freebie scabbard is good enough , this sword is a great buy. You would have to pay over a thousand dollars to buy a better quality built sword. My 5160 hanwei cawood sword is hardened but is still quite flexablebut not wippy, it’s good enough, but this marquenched 5160 steel blade is much stiffer with some flex, I like it much better, with the balance, weight and quality you feel like you have real sword in your hand. You know it will take all the abuse you throw at it, if you care too. Only con is the grip is pretty small and short and the pommel can stick you like so many viking sword pummels, you will have to master the swing of this sword. But the grip is still comfortable and I do like wielding this sword, so I recommened this sword when you want a plain no frills quality sword, dont pay more.