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.
R. K. –
An Excellent Gladius The gladius itself is very well constructed. The hilt is rock solid: the pommel and guard are maple, while the handle itself is ash – this makes for a nice, subtle contrast. A steel plate covers the base of the guard. The whole hilt is held tightly together by a brass nut.
The blade is, as far as I can tell, an accurate copy of the Pompeii type blade. It has a diamond cross section and a mirror polish. Mine came wickedly sharp.
Balance is excellent (due in part to the shorter length of the blade), though the large pommel restricts holds to the hammer grip.
The sheath was well constructed and solid, but was somewhat carelessly put together. The guard does not sit flush against the mouth of the sheath, and some of the fittings are off center, but the brass fittings are strong and tight and nothing rattles or moves. The leather is nicely stretched over the solid wood core, and feels smooth with no wrinkles.
I tested this gladius on several water-filled milk jugs and plastic bottles placed on top of a thick plastic trash can. Due to my bad form, several of my swings sliced the jugs cleanly in half and then proceeded to slash deep into the trash can. I tried stabbing, and was almost scared by the ease that this sword slid through the targets. Once again I got a little carried away, and accidentally put the blade right through the bottom of the trash can on a downward thrust.
Historical accuracy is not perfect, as the handles of actual Roman gladii were apparently made of bone, and the plate of metal between the blade and the guard was recessed into the wood rather then secured on the surface as it is in this model. Aside from those details, this particular gladius is one of the more authentic reproductions out there, second only to Albion in my opinion (Deepka gladii are also more accurate then this gladius, but can suffer from blade tempering problems).
Overall, this is one of my favorite swords, and well worth the money.
pryorseth16@yahoo.com (verified owner) –
Great Pompeii gladius sword. Just what I was looking for. Came in very sharp, and balanced. Thanks to YouTuber Skallagrim recommending this site, and which gladius swords are mostly accurate or close to accurate. Overall, it’s a great sword. Would recommend!
Tzahi Dichner –
Very good sword.
The sheath is better then the one in the Maintz model