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.
Chris Shriver (verified owner) –
Functionally an unsharpened katana. The fitment is exceptional, especially for the price. This is not light as an Iaito tends to be, but rather it is weighted such that you must actually train with it if you want to safely swing it around and about. You will develop a lot of strength as you practice with katanas – this is why I bought this FIRST before buying the expensive stuff, to get used to it, bang it around on something once in a while on accident, no big deal. Beautiful steel and can be sharpened, however, know that doing so renders this blade a weapon of war, contrary to its conceived purpose. You would be betraying the blade. If you do so, I recommend engraving kanji related to said betrayal of the blade to go full traditionalist with it. Why not? Live a little. This was worth it.
Andrew Vautour –
So I am new to the study of Iaido and I needed a decent Iaito for practice. I am giving this a 4 star because for the price and material it is well worth it. My only gripe is the cotton wrapping around the Tsuka is absolutely terrible and will have to be redone. Not sure if it was tight at the factory and because of humidity or something it stretched and came loose but it was the worst I have seen on any katana. Other than that, the blade (which for me is most important) was very well done and while 1045 is not the best steel, for a practice blade that is not suppose to be sharpened anyway, where you want it to feel like your cutting blade, it serves the purpose. I would recommend it but just be warned, you will have to wrap the grip yourself if you want it to last through a few practice sessions.
Carlos Gonzales (verified owner) –
I just got this today. The weight and balance feels good for training. Everything feels tight with the exception of the wrap which loosens up a bit. Still a great budget item for me and shipping was perfect!