I bet sharpening that takes some serious technique. Do they do classes?
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This is my sharpener, plebe.
https://i.imgflip.com/1sc9q1.jpg
Depends. Many medieval swords were given only a smooth chisel edge. In a world of iron covered shields and mail, a sharp edge didn't last long and all you have left is to rely on your blade geometry and your technique. You see this in large militaries all over the world that have seen any serious conflict. Not to worry though, a long sword with good blade geometry will still cut through a large bamboo matt or sever a limb with a moderately strong, angled swing.
That's a myth and quite frankly, bullshit. Examine any number of surviving antiques, you'll see the ones in good condition have edges that are quite sharp. Equating 18th-19th century equipment standards to the rest of edged weapons history is unproductive.
A sword like that two-hander would have been quite sharp. Every antique I've ever examined, except victorian copies, has had a very keen, knifelike edge. If dressing of the edge was required on a sword like that, it would have been done by stropping on a large, leather covered buffing wheel.
I hope you all read post #209 above, then read it again, then share it with your friends....
Surviving examples that have changed owners hands for centuries, or museum pieces that have only been restored for preservation purposes? The later will generally have a corroded edge, or an edge that will not even cut a manila rope. I say this because the majority of privately owned relics have been restored, including a professional polish resulting in a sharpened edge. Unless you are a curator or get the special pass, you will never handle a museum piece. Yes, I have personally handled a number of privately owned blades from western Europe and Japan, and I even did apprentice work under Christopher Poor at Arms and Armor in Minnesota in the early 1990s and was fortunately enough to achieve journeyman for building/using a bloomery and creating crucible steel. Christopher Poor did indeed have access to museum pieces, and he spent the better part of almost 4 decades looking through original literature on the subject.
Yes, the time period determines the geometry, heat treat/temper, and edge as a function of the external factors of the battle field.
I''ve made a study of the subject for over forty years. I have relationships with many in the museum community. I've had more antiques pass through my hands than any one else on this forum has seen in pictures. Your comments are based on outmoded and obsolete beliefs. You're swerving outside your lane. Please stop.