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.
Shawn S. –
GOOD gladius for the price I give this a 5 out of 5 simply cause for for bang for your buck… It’s worth every penny. The blade is actually not just a prop shaped like a sword but prolly can be sharpened, it’s about as thin as a high end sword, the scabbard is snug and fits well the fittings tight and decent, the polish rather nice. For 80 USD this is a steal. It rivals even some 300 dollar ones I handled in accuracy and feel.
Chris (verified owner) –
Like the previous review I will say that based on “bang for buck” this Pompeii Gladius is an excellent purchase. Hands down, for the cost, it is fantastic. I ordered this item two weeks ago and received it today, during the covid pandemic, etc… assuming shipping issues it came rather quickly, however one of the sharpeners at kult was out sick with covid so I opted to receive the blade unsharpened and thus it came with the standard edge from the Indian manufacturer. The blade, unsharpened, is a butter knife. If you don’t opt for the sharpening service, you will get a fat flat edge, and it will be a little heavy as a result. That’s fine if you aren’t the type to try and cut mats or bottles. Safer for the kids, etc. you can sharpen later but be aware… otherwise, the fit and finish is great. The symmetry of the blade is as portrayed. The weight is evenly distributed and is thus a little tip heavy, no distal taper at all without sharpening. But are you actually planning on joking in a shield wall? The only wall mine is likely to see is the living room wall, if my wife allows ?
Eric (verified owner) –
I imagine because I paid extra for the sharpening service, I received one of the better of the lot. It is far from perfect but at this price point it is far better than some I have purchased over the years for a higher price. No blemishes, the wood parts perfect condition. Fit on the scabbard is not perfect but at the cost its is far better than you’ll find elsewhere. Looking at it at an angle in the right light it looks like some poorly restored classic cars I’ve seen, waves and ripples in the metal. But only the discerning eye would catch such imperfections. I will commit to say from now on I will purchase my blades from the Kult of Athena because I feel they have a far higher standard than I would find anywhere else and at an extreme value. Good health to you brothers