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.
Ian –
Great Bascinet (14-15th century) Lords of Battle are impressing me with the close to living history quality kit they have been putting out lately. I have been transitioning a lot of my harness towards historical authenticity and this is the ticket here. First out of all the helms suggested as ALSO available above, this is the only helm that has a proper placement of Vervelles for attaching a Camail or aventail. The visor removes properly, locks down, raises (limited but its more than enough for air). it can also be set up with a single hinge to open widely to either side. The leather is thick and well cut. The hardware (buckles, hinges, etc.) is well made and well formed and accurate to the period. The liner isn’t the best but its what you expect from a helm under $800, comfortable, adjustable (though the leather tie should be replaced by something that is softer and holds a knot better. The visor leaves enough room to close well with padding and the aventail in place. Visibility is solid for a bascinet (better than my GDFB sallet, or my LoB Klappvisier), nearly as good as my fencing mask as far as peripheral is concerned. I haven’t used this one in combat yet but helms of similar construction from LoB I own have held up splendidly against steel swords, spears, and controlled polearm play and from this helm’s construction I am not worried in the least in its efficacy and durability. It isn’t IMCF of HMB legal by any standard and will not stand up to uncontrolled blows from axes or maces but for HEMA harnessfechten training with reasonable armament you’ll be golden. Overall a brilliant helm that has the historical authenticity, quality, and price point that makes this a fantastic buy for anyone working on a 14th century harness on a budget.
Ian –
Great Bascinet (14-15th century) Lords of Battle are impressing me with the close to living history quality kit they have been putting out lately. I have been transitioning a lot of my harness towards historical authenticity and this is the ticket here. First out of all the helms suggested as ALSO available above, this is the only helm that has a proper placement of Vervelles for attaching a Camail or aventail. The visor removes properly, locks down, raises (limited but its more than enough for air). it can also be set up with a single hinge to open widely to either side. The leather is thick and well cut. The hardware (buckles, hinges, etc.) is well made and well formed and accurate to the period. The liner isn’t the best but its what you expect from a helm under $800, comfortable, adjustable (though the leather tie should be replaced by something that is softer and holds a knot better. The visor leaves enough room to close well with padding and the aventail in place. Visibility is solid for a bascinet (better than my GDFB sallet, or my LoB Klappvisier), nearly as good as my fencing mask as far as peripheral is concerned. I haven’t used this one in combat yet but helms of similar construction from LoB I own have held up splendidly against steel swords, spears, and controlled polearm play and from this helm’s construction I am not worried in the least in its efficacy and durability. It isn’t IMCF of HMB legal by any standard and will not stand up to uncontrolled blows from axes or maces but for HEMA harnessfechten training with reasonable armament you’ll be golden. Overall a brilliant helm that has the historical authenticity, quality, and price point that makes this a fantastic buy for anyone working on a 14th century harness on a budget.
John D. –
Excellent Value This helmet is the most historically correct you will find for under $ 1000 . I replaced the 5/32 hinge rivets with modified 1/4 rivets flattened by peening the round head more flat , looks very historical . If the visor and skull were slightly different allowing full visor opening they would be perfect . Dump the liner and straps , junk and not historically correct ! Check out expensive reproductions and compare to this and be happy indeed ! I will be adding an aventail and liner and wait for the complements !
John D. –
Excellent Value This helmet is the most historically correct you will find for under $ 1000 . I replaced the 5/32 hinge rivets with modified 1/4 rivets flattened by peening the round head more flat , looks very historical . If the visor and skull were slightly different allowing full visor opening they would be perfect . Dump the liner and straps , junk and not historically correct ! Check out expensive reproductions and compare to this and be happy indeed ! I will be adding an aventail and liner and wait for the complements !
witherbros87 –
I really wish this would stop being Back ordered so I could buy this :(
sgregg –
Very well made. It is similar to the Churburg #16. I made a custom aventail for this helmet. The only issues I have with it are that it is on the narrow side. It fits on my average sized head, has a good liner, but if I am wearing anything other than a very thin arming cap, it is a tight squeeze. And the visor does not stay up, that is okay with me.