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.
Rick M. –
Awesome! I bought my Trondheim several years ago, so this is a review of certainty! First, the balance of this sword is exceptional. My sword is pretty much nominal to the specs Kult of Athena lists above, but it’s impossible to describe the feel of this sword. It’s quite heavy for a sword of only a bit over thirty inches overall, but the heft imparts a sense of strength and power. The edge that came on the sword was uneven and somewhat dull, but it took an edge remarkably well and has held it beautifully.
I don’t know precisely how historically accurate the Trondheim is, but no one who has ever held, or especially swung this awesome sword has ever questioned it’s accuracy. The pattern welded blade is is so strikingly beautiful and the sword performs so bloody well that no one seemed to care!
The blade is very stiff and quite stout. If one was to imagine a sword crafted by the dwarfs of Norse legend, made with great skill and uncommon beauty, this would be such a sword!
In a fit of sword lust, I took a Scotch-Brite pad to mine and removed the factory finish. I brought the sword to the point that the pattern weld layering was only visible close up, and then brought the layers out ever so slightly with a hot vinegar bath… the results were awesome!
I have bought and sold dozens of swords since I bought my Trondheim, but never once considered parting with my little “Shield Splitter” This is one I’ll probably be buried with, in case Valhalla is real!
John N. –
Beautiful, but… This sword is every bit as beautiful as the photos. Quality craftsmanship, nice finish, beautiful pattern welded blade.
But, and it’s a big but, the handle is too small for my very average size hands. The pommel digs painfully into the heel of my palm on every swing. It would be impossible to retain this weapon in a real battle.
So, it’s the nicest sturdiest wall hanger ever at the moment. There is a solution, the pommel is so beefy I’m sure a skilled blacksmith could rework it into a longer handle and still have a nice pommel.
So, unless you are willing to have this reworked, or have very small hands, swinging this sword is just not going to be safe or fun.
Richard –
Interesting….. So, I bought this based on Hanwei’s reputation alone. I own a few of their functional katana which I’ve always found impressive both in form and function so I thought I’d see how they produce a totally different weapon.
The method of the blade manufacture is evident in its finish, it’s certainly impressive and intriguing. The scabbard is equally impressive and characterful, although I find the manufacture of the blade seems to be rather true-to-period and somewhat deliberately imperfectly made, the scabbard by comparison is almost too good and clearly made with modern leather working tools or stencils – it seems somewhat incongruous but maybe that’s just me.
It handles lightly but I can see how the pommel would become irritating after repetitive use or practice.
It needs an edge to be useful, mine arrived blunt as a butter knife but I will have it professionally sharpened so I can carry out practice cuts.
Other than that it’s a nice piece that will eventually be part of a wall mount shield arrangement I intend to create.
On a final note, perhaps the Kult could answer this for me: am I the only one who thinks that “blood grooves” cut in blades are actually designed to assist in sheathing them? While playing around with this sword I discovered I could emulate a method of sheating it similar to an Iaido style noto by running the blood groove over my thumb and first knuckle with them positioned grasping the throat of the scabbard. This in turn made it easier to sheath using feel more than sight. Just my thoughts….
JASON M. –
A work of art! This sword deserves more credit than the lower reviews gave it . Viking swords have shorter handles that’s how they were made I am 250 pound man with fair size hands & I love the grip on this sword It keeps your hand snug between pummel & cross gaurd. It’s a shorter sword & is just beautiful & well balanced. Its unlike any sword I know being one piece of Damascus steel ,blade tip to pummel. With awsome patterns thru out. It is one of if not my favorite sword I own & the review does not do it justice.
Joshua Richter –
To people saying the handle is too small, you shouldn’t be buying these swords in the first place as you clearly haven’t done your research. These swords are meant to have tiny handles. It’s your technique that is wrong, nothing wrong with this sword.