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Post by foxmartialarts on Jan 21, 2016 11:09:38 GMT
I like the look of the Universal one, and I prefer the specs of it as well. My only issue is that I've heard some questionable things about KoA sharpening on the Universal Swords. I am good at sharpening knives, and I can fix bends/rolls on my swords, but sharpening a whole blade is beyond my equipment... We're spadroons typically sharp the full length of the blade, or does the edge start further out, to leave some parrying room?
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Uhlan
Member
Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Jan 21, 2016 12:01:55 GMT
I had a look at my oldies and this is what I found: Of three examples I could reach( it is a bit of jumble right now), one was not sharp at all and two are sharp from about half the blade up to 10 - 15 cm from the tip. Spadroons of old tend to have these very thin tip sections of about 15 cm, so removing material there would weaken the tip and thus the stabbing capacity, if you can call it such, because the blades are very flexible over the last third of the blade. This flexible section on mine starts right were the fuller ends. Looking at the Universal 5 ball, that section is still in the 5 mm park and I know from a British Navy Dress sword I have from them, that the blades are quite stiff. So, in your case I would start the sharpening at the last third of the blade right to the tip and then, from the tip, back up the back of the blad again for about 20 cm. The tip will lose some material you can very much do without. The tip has a sharp double sided tip config now, ideal to do those famous and dreaded super fast flicks of the wrist with, that open up the face, loosen an ear or split the nose. You know, nice stuff. What I also notice is that on the Uni. version the blade has a flat diamong cross section right to the tip. On mine this section, starting after the fuller is flat oval. Something to think about if you want to lighten up the blade a bit. Just sand down the rib in the middle. KOA sharpening was bad but is quite good right now. They learned fast. You still will have to clean it up a bit if you are so inclined.
If I were in your shoes, I would email KOA, before actually buying anything and ask them how they think about this non standard sharpening job. When you order, you repeat what you want. Make them tell you they have your blade tagged, so the sharpening crew know what the front office knows. There have been legio examples of non communication in any industry, so make sure. I hope this helps and that you get a nice sword.
Cheers.
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