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.
tannerpacemt (verified owner) –
Seems pretty damn good for the price- especially if you want a sword that doesn’t look or feel particularly ornate. Is the fit and finish perfect? No, but the flaws are well within reason so long as the construction remains as solid as it seems. The guard’s fit to the blade is maybe the sloppiest part and makes me concerned that it’s held in place via the pommel’s compression through the handle… not ideal but probably functional for a light-use sword. The pommel seems solid and has a simple beauty I quite like. Sheath seems serviceable for the price range.
The grinds are a little wavy if you look down the length of the sword (barely noticeable if you hung it on a wall) but it won’t be hard to sharpen to a reasonably straight edge. I’m a little concerned about the flexibility of the blade: with decent effort waving towards the flats there’s a perceptible flex. That said, this is apparently on the rather thin side of historical swords so reasonable flex is expected. Plus, in my experience 5160- when properly tempered- relies on flexibility for much of its durability. Tested with my HRC-testing files: certainly between 55 and 60 HRC, as advertised. (I can’t be more precise than a 5 HRC range.)
On the note of historical accuracy: the only major issue to my eye is that the tip is a rather acute, but not absurdly so for a later “viking” sword… just not quite right for the early ones. I’ll likely make a weekend project of filing it to shape before sharpening. The factory edge is nicely rounded for a non-contact practice/drill sword. Overall, very happy with first impressions.
Cedric Luczak (verified owner) –
Bought a blemished sword because I expected their claim of major issues being saved for munitions grade to be true. Sadly the hilt is out of alignment with the blade, the guard is offset to one side with glue poured into the side with a large gap to the blade. The blade arrived with a curve to it, but I managed to straighten it back out. The sword is thin and whippy. And overall I disappointing firdt purchase from this site. I’ve ordered more robust products from Amazon.
David W –
Cedric – we’re sorry you are disappointed in the condition of the blade. These orders usually arrive in a satisfactory condition. Please send some pictures to orders@kultofathena.com and we will take a look.
Celtic Templar (verified owner) –
Great Sword all the way! Love the sword, both light and strong. The Sword feels perfect in the hand, and it’s easy to draw from the scabbard. The blade came sharp when I bought it, and it’s still as sharp as ever after testing. If anyone wants a historic Viking sword, this is the sword for you.