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.
Mike –
Impressive for the price. I have experience only with Hanwei and Dynasty Forge models. The Dojo Pro I received is much better in fit , finish, and aesthetics than an entry-level cutter from Hanwei like the Practical Plus. For the price, I was really impressed. It far exceeds my expectations. Although I like many of the Hanwei models, the lower-priced models have that square axe-handle feel to the Tsuka. The Dojo Pro Tsuka is nicely tapered and it is easier to maintain a good grip. Fit and finish is excellent. There are no issues with alignment. The blade isn’t the lightest out there but the balance is not cumbersome and the ergonomic taper to the Tsuka makes it easy to manage. I really have nothing negative to say.
Ryan –
Awesome The blade came sharp and straight. I roll up a 4′ X 4′ X 3/32 thick sheet of vinyl with cheap 1″ wood dowel instead of tatami mat with bamboo and it goes right through like a hot knife through butter. If it were to break or get stolen I would diffidently buy another.
Austin (verified owner) –
Love the sword. The blade is clean and appears to be sharp, haven’t had a chance to cut yet but I think it will do the job. The only issues I had were the the saya had a small crack at the top, and the Habaki had minor scuffs on one side but on the other it had this dark mark that looks like it had a flame held to it, I tried to clean but no luck. One mekugi looks clean but the other looked a little rough and the wrap under the ito around it was a kinda tore up but it’s not that bad. Also it wasn’t all the way in. But other than those minor issues it’s a good sword. Would’ve been 5 stars. Would recommend this sword for the price.
johnny556 (verified owner) –
Bought as a blem, got a blem. Good enough for a cutting practice blade. Cuts are powerful yet nearly effortless to execute. Spine is nice and thick all the way to the tip taper, this is a heavy cutting sword after all, but this leads to greater strength in the blade and also the body. I really dig the brown buffalo horn fittings on the saya, thats something thats new to me. Ito could definitely have been wrapped a little tighter, but the ray skin should hold it in place, but the menuki do move around if intentionally manipulated. Overall an impressive weapon with its own simple beauty if you dont nitpick the finish. Ito is a dark green color. Not quite in the teal spectrum.
However the saya has an odd chalky, sticky white substance inside that rubs off on the blade and there is a lot of rattle, hence the 4 stars.
brad (verified owner) –
A Decent budget cutter. With modern steels its simply not
necessary for the homon line clay tempered up cost. these
through harden blades are tougher and more practical.
I wouldn’t pay more than 295 for it, …. and its for cutting practice. A very well made cutting tool. I think you’ll be ok
and you may even want to consider a scratch N dent?
If you look real close for awhile
you will eventually see imperfections but so what,… its
a tougher tool and has a simplistic appeal to it.