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.
Duster –
The blade and guard are massive and heavy for a one-handed weapon. It would be a good chopping tool or weapon. While the tip is very sharp, the weight of the piece limits its agility. The blade carries an elaborate Spanish notch. The rivets(?) or bolts holding the scales on are hand slotted and are reminiscent of early 19th century handmade screw heads. The sheath, as shown, has a retainer strap that fastens down with a piercing in the strap over a stud or rivet in the sheath. There is also a tie down latigo, like a gunfighter’s holster has, to keep it next to the thigh. Drawing the weapon quickly takes practice. The sheath design makes wearing the knife on the right side and drawing it easier than wearing it on the left.
Roman Kheyfets (verified owner) –
It is noticeably heavier than the Cold Steel 1917 bowie. However, I disagree with the above reviewer that it’s too heavy for a one handed use. You just need to get used to it. It has it’s own advantages, just have to figure out how to bring out those advantages. The POB is closer to the handle than the Cold Steel. The primary grind on my example is thinner than the Cold Steel, so it should be a much better cutter. But the last two inches, at the tip, the grind becomes quite a bit thicker, I’m guessing to reinforce the tip. One big advantage of the Cold Steel version, it that the Battlecry is a true full tang which is visible on both sides.
The main reason I did not give it five stars is because fit and finish could be better, but it’s not bad. Also I find the grip to be a little too thick.