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.
Paul G. –
Brigandine, Brown In short to save reading where I sometimes ramble, I like my brigandine and by no means regret buying it. For those interested in more detail read on.
This is not a glowing syndrome report as the brigandine is not without faults, none of which are insurmountable. First the positive aspect:
At 9½ lbs it is much lighter than maille. I have complete freedom of movement and it’s comfortable. It goes on rather quickly, but the final adjusting takes a little longer. The best thing, the part that I suspect is superior to a maille hauberk, is that those plates distribute the energy from impact over a larger area. As seen in the video those blows where negligible although she tried her best with that escrima stick.
On the negative side. I recommend additional protection around the shoulder area. The neck hole is small. I wear a size 56 hat (71/8? American) and have trouble. The first time I put it on I thought that I was not going to get it off. Since then it has stretched somewhat but is still a tight fit. The neck hole is made symmetrical. Normally the front is cut lower than the rear. This does affect the fit a little but in the long run it proved a virtue and I now wear it backwards with the manufacturer’s label at front. It is inside and cannot be seen. The advantage to this is that I pull the straps end forward to adjust; otherwise this is done to the rear making it more difficult especially when threading the belt through the buckle. When received the leather straps did not want to slide through the buckles readily, it was a fight. I narrowed the straps and this helped some. The real fix came when replacing the buckles. Also the holes for the buckle’s tongue were all round, typical of present day armour I find. I elongated the holes SOP with me, similar to my modern belts, making buckling faster and easier. I have a 38½” chest and ordered the small/medium as the only difference in the stated size was ¾” in length and a few ounces. That fit well over the gambeson that I had at the time. Since then I acquired the Modifiable Gambeson from KoA which is much thicker and I definitely have a problem with the neck. It is most tight and the brigandine hangs high in the back. If I decide to wear the two together I will have to modify the brigandine’s neck. However, the two together is an overkill and noticeably warmer. So I am reluctant to make the change at this time.
Tyler A. –
An affordable, budget armor for costume. Whilst an attractive piece of equipment, this Brigandine fails the crucial tasks of being what it says on the tin: a brigandine. This armor is, in fact, a crude and rudimentary coat of plates, lacking the essential protective aspect of overlapping plates needed to protect the user from any sort of harm. As said before, the plates of this “brigandine” so not overlap.
This coat of plates uses 1 mm stainless steel plates riveted into what I can only assume is a canvas shell. The shell in question is rather fragile and ripped easily under full contact sparring, with the wife, gaping opening between plates under the shell leaving one vulnerable injury, even under thick gambeson. A good purchase for the costumed re-enactor, a poor choice of protective equipment otherwise.
Paul –
This is not a brigandine. It is a coat of plates with large gaps in critical areas such as the entirety of the center chest this is fine only as a costume piece and even then just get some riveted jerkin it will be lighter at a fairer price offering the same costume look.
EnragedSnail528 (verified owner) –
The brig fabric isn’t that strong, bit it looks and feels great! Great for cosplay, although mine was minorly ripped on the back when i received it. Still looks great!