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.
GreyVR (verified owner) –
This sword reminds me of the sword in Disney’s “Sword in the Stone” animated film. I bought it at once.
Having the blade in hand, it’s every bit as pretty as it is in the picture. I imagine it will cut fairly well, as it’s got a cutting point, and is somewhat forward weighted.
In very much the proportions suggested by George Silver for a bastard sword, both the grip and the blade are a bit shorter than I have come to associate with a longsword. Silver says in his Paradoxes of Defense that this how the English liked their swords though, so all is well.
The other sword I own from Valiant is the Marseille XVa, which is much livelier, and is lighter while being longer. If you are trying to pick between those two, I think the Marseille XVa might be a bit better in the hand, and certainly more appropriate to a student of the Liechtenauer system. This one will cut better.
That said, while this blade feels good, if a tad weighty, in the hand, the suspension is downright odd. There are three buckles on the scabbard, but there is only room for two on the belt attachment, nor does it seem the belt attachment lends itself well to either of the two most obvious ways of rigging it. Something is downright odd about the belt attachment, and if I was thinking of wearing the sword, it would certainly require modification. I would very much like to know more about the intent behind this suspension system.
Marc Burkett –
I purchased this sword quite a while back and have purchased multiple swords in the same price range since, this one still remains my center piece in my main display. Its just an intriguing looking….more fantasy inspired I guess. Really catches the eye every time I walked past it as well as anyone else who peers at that display.
Very light for its being a longsword, then again it is 6150 and its a thin blade with a very sharp pointed taper. Clearly it’s more of a thrust weapon but it is sharp enough to cut….although I don’t assume it has enough weight to do as much damage in this area as your average viking hacker would do. :) There is nothing about this SWORD that anyone could complain about, unless they hate the color blue. I do however have two little…not complaints…but weighty notes on the scabbard. 1-The very unremarkable steel components for the suspension system just do not compliment this beautiful sword and scabbard. 2-The belt….two things really….A – SHOULD have been brown…only busted eyes should don black and blue, and B – the buckling system is a bit confusing, had to do some research on how to properly rig this mess of spaghetti together and even with that task complete, it does not support the weight of the sword and scabbard securely. Its a period correct belt for this sword…which im assuming is more along the lines of an XVIIIb I think….sorry Oakeshotts typology system is one big hazy gray fuzzfest….we do our best. :)
Conclusion: If you are fortunate to still be able to find one of these for sale, and you don’t mind blue….BUY IT!! You wont regret it. Unfortunately, mine is staying right where it is. But if I do ever decide to part with it, you’ll see it here on KOA. Thanks.