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.
Ernest Kretschmar (verified owner) –
This is a good sword! I own Albion and Sulowski made swords so I understand quality. It only weighs 2.64lbs but has a lot of momentum when you swing it. This sword is a real shield chopper a meat cleaver. The hilt is also pretty nice and clean and tight. The only noticeable issue is the gap in the guard and blade because the blade is fullered. The scabbard is nice but a little on the loose side. For the price of this sword its definitely worth it.
Asa-punk aka Eddie Smith –
I have long wanted a single edged Viking sword but for years all that was available were clunky/cheap crowbars or high end $1,000+ models like the Albion Berserker…which sadly is way out of my budget.
But this sword is really good for the price (it’s gone up a bit since I got mine but I still feel at the current $208 it’s worth it!)
It’s in the same weight range as the Albion Berserker but the point of balance is further out towards the tip. So it has authority in the cut but won’t be as nimble as the AB. I do believe the Cold Steel is within historic parameters, but it shows where the extra $ goes with Albion.
My only major complaint is the pommel. It’s essentially a triangle & the bottom corner bites my hand at my wrist when I hold it how I’m used to & swing it. Doing more a handshake grip & letting the pommel slide past when casting the sword works but I have shorter fingers & don’t really feel as much in control of the blade as I’d want…at least for now after building specific muscles up it may feel better.
Although to be fair most historical single edged Viking swords I have seen pics of have the bottom corners of the pommel cut at an angle & I think this may eliminate the issue entirely. I may crop mine to see.
The scabbard was surprisingly good! Wood core, perfect fit nice looking, well done stitching & risers…I’m honestly impressed it was included.
It’s lighter than my beloved Del Tin Viking sword which I’ve had since 1995, so that’s nice. It’s single edged & as I understand it those were primarily from Norway, my dad’s mother’s ancestors were also.
It’s affordable & good quality…I definitely recommend.
Mogr Dansson (verified owner) –
Heavy weapon. Not at all nimble. In fact, downright ponderous. Handle too short. Pommel too long/wide/whatever. Two improvements :: (1) lengthen the handle by 3/4 of an inch. (2) shorten the pommel by 5/8 of an inch. Of course this would screw up the weight distribution/center-of-gravity/center-of-percussion even more.
Buy something else or hang it on the wall.