Right or Left-Handed?

NOTE: When you order a sheath for a non-symmetrical blade, please make sure to use the “Contact” link to message us if you are left-handed, so we can make your sheath correctly for the way you draw.
By default, we make our non-symmetrical sword sheaths for hanging from the left side, for a right-handed draw.
By default, we make our non-symmetrical knife and dagger (Short blades) sheaths to be worn on the right side and drawn with the right hand.
Symmetrical blade sheaths/baldrics are universal and can be worn on either side of the body.

 Question:
“What is the balance of the sword?”

 We’ve been getting this question a lot lately.
A good balance is relative to the wielder’s size, strength, and fighting style, and thus is subjective.

Christian designs his blades to be balanced well for him and for the design of that particular blade and intended use. We can’t discern for a customer what their optimal balance point is and short of designing a commissioned, custom piece for a customer, at additional cost, we can’t know, when we’re making blades, what your optimal balance point and weight will be.

The question, “Is the sword balanced well?” is akin to a customer asking a car dealer if the vehicle drives well. “Drives well” is going to be relative to how a driver plans to use the vehicle, how much weight the vehicle is intended for and what the driver hauls, urban driving or expressway driving, gas mileage desired, etc…

 The vast majority of the swords and other weaponry we sell are in-person, at our shows, where customers can actually hold the items in their hand/s and swing them around a bit, to feel if what they’re wielding is a good fit for them.
We understand that buying a sword online can be more difficult. We publish the dimensions in our description.

Other Archangel Steel Info:

The Steel:

All Archangel Steel blades, including swords, daggers, knives, and axes, are made of high-carbon 1075 steel. 1075 makes a very strong, durable blade with very little inclusions or spots of carbon impurities that are typical of 1095 and 5160 steels.

Hammers and Maces are made of high-carbon 1045 steel.
Archangel Steel weapons are all heat treated to between 53 and 55 Rockwell and go through the salt bath hardening process. Salt bath tempering is a hardening technique that ensures the steel is highly wear resistant.  Salt Bath Hardening offers advantages over alternative hardening and tempering methods. Molten salt is often considered the ‘ideal’ heat treating medium. When parts are immersed in the molten salt, heat is transferred by direct contact to the surface. This step is followed by quenching the steel in a hot bath at approximately 550°C.
This is why we can confidently give a lifetime warranty to each and every steel & leather, functional, battle-ready work of art we sell.

Leather Wrapped Handles:
All handles are leather wrapped with a base color and a top color.

Full Tang:
All of our blades are full tang.

War Hammer Handles Material:
Our war hammer handles are made of 1 and 1/8” 4130 chrome moly steel tubing with .125” thick walls.

Mace Handles Material:
Our mace handles are made of 1.0” 4130 chrome moly steel tubing with .125” thick walls.
(3/8” screw hole)

Axe Handles Material:
All axe handles are made of ash or hickory, like pretty much all high-quality axes and baseball bats.

Will I get the exact same item as the pictures on the listing show?
The photos on our listings are only examples of these items. Since every weapon we make is hand crafted, details, such as color and style of handle wrap, are likely to vary somewhat from weapon to weapon, because of changes in leather color availability, for example, and which of our artisans makes your item. Each piece we make is unique. Your item may not look exactly like the pictures. Please use the “Contact” link to write us if you have any questions.

Black Oxide or Patina Finish
Though some of our sword photos show a black oxide finish or a patina on the blade, those photos are examples of some of the blades we have made. By default, most blades are made with a bare, shiny, satin steel finish, with some exception, such as our Elf Blades, our Zombie Cleaver, our Zombie Apocalypse Cleaver, etc…

Black oxide or patina are add-on options for anything we make. I will gradually be editing all the listings to add “Black Oxide” or “Patina” to the options when ordering. In the meantime, please message us if you want a black oxide or a patina finish on your blade.

Archangel Steel History:
Christian has been making steel functional art weaponry since he was 18-years old, over 35 years.
Archangel Steel has been at the Michigan Renaissance Festival for well over 25 years. Please see our “Archangel Steel Events” page for our schedule of festivals.

Shipping Time Frame/Expectation:
We are a very small swords and other weaponry workshop of only six artisans. We are constantly in production, but we are also selling pieces online and at our shows. If you order an item that we are sold out of and don’t have already made in our armory, we will have to make it to order. Thus, your order’s ship time will vary, depending upon if what you order is already made, or at least partially completed, when you order. If you need your item by a certain date, please contact us to ask if we can meet your deadline before ordering.

Lifetime Warranty and Returns Policy
While our weaponry is functional, it is not intended for use in backyard chores, such as chopping down trees or building demolition, breaking rocks, etc… Our lifetime warranty covers any flaws/defects from our workshop. It also includes breakage under normal use for weaponry, such as blade on blade contact in full-contact fighting.

Returns because of change of mind must be initiated within a week of delivery. Please contact us for instructions.
Proper packaging and shipping is the responsibility of the customer who is returning the goods. Item/s must return to us in exactly the newly made condition they were in when we shipped them to you. (Please pack item/s appropriately for its/their safe arrival.)
Any other no particular reason returns will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss. There may be a restocking fee, depending upon the circumstances.

In person sales at our faires/festivals/shows are final. If you have an issue you feel you need to discuss, please contact us.

Normal Wear
Edges becoming dulled with use, scratches, dings, and dents are normal with use, but are addressed with maintenance, as with any knife or other blade. Professional sharpening and polishing services are typically available in most locales.

We will sharpen blades we’ve made for any customers in our local area, or for customers who wish to ship their blade to us. (Shipping fees paid by the customer)

Sharpening Fees
$50 Bringing edge back up
Special grinding belt (super sharp) is more. Please contact to discuss.
Sharpening price depends upon condition of edge.

Maintenance
Your sword is made of high-carbon steel, heat treat hardened in the salt bath method. Thus, it is fabulous at holding an edge and has great durability but needs to be cared for properly. You should oil your blade monthly and/or after each use and handling, especially if your fingers (skin oils/acids) have touched the steel. Our “Maintenance” page includes more details about regular maintenance of your high-carbon steel pieces.

Age Limit
You must be 18-years or older to purchase from our shop, online or in-person. By ordering from us, you agree that you are 18-years old or older. Thank you!