Frequently Asked Questions


  • Are your blades legal for competition?

Short answer: Yes! But you can check the Blog post I made on that subject.


  • How do I order a blade?

To order a custom blade you just need to contact me and specify your own composition. If you don’t have an idea of the kind of blade you want I can recommend something based on your play style. Then, over a series of emails, we will discuss all the specifications such as the composition, blade shape, thickness, weight, balance, handle shape and handle design.


I also have a selection of blades for sale on the website. These are limited runs, usually some kind of experiment with different compositions or popular compositions but with no customization.


  • How do I pay?

I will send you a PayPal invoice once all the specifications are discussed and defined. If you don't have PayPal, or don't want to use this option, I can also accept a bank transfer. Production starts after the payment is received.


  • How long does it take to build a blade?

It depends on the amount of orders I have at the moment, as well as the complexity of the blade and handle design, and availability of woods. It usually takes about 7 days to complete and ship the blade once the production starts. I will keep you updated during the construction process and will send some final photos before shipping the blade.


  • Can you make matching pairs? Does it cost extra?

If I build a pair of blades at the same time, I can make them virtually identical, usually within a 1g difference in weight. This does not have an extra cost. I also keep records of all the blades I build, so it's possible for me to replicate a blade in the future. However, in this case, it will be dependent on the stock I have at the moment, so achieving the same result will be harder, which can lead to some differences in the end product.


  • Do you seal your blades?

Yes, I seal the faces and edge on all of my blades with a thin coat of lacquer to prevent splintering. I can leave the blade unsealed if you prefer.


  • Your handles look shiny, do you sealed them?

Natural wood handles are not sealed unless otherwise requested. The handles are polished and finished with a coat of wax to bring out the natural color of the wood. This process doesn’t affect sweat absorption, in fact it improves grip. There are some handles that need sealing, namely colored handles. Because the wood is dyed, it needs a protective coat otherwise the color will rub off with time. This can affect grip and the handle might get slippery if you sweat a lot, so I don’t recommend them if this is your case.


  • Do you have test samples?

I mostly do custom blades, which means every blade is unique, so test samples do not make sense in this scenario.


  • What does balance mean?

Balance point is measured from the tip of the handle to the center of gravity. The scale I use is based on some practical examples I made. Highest point is a very heavy blade with really light handles, which is about 5cm, and lowest point is a really light blade with heavy handles, about 1.4cm. The scale is a division of that length:


  • 1.5 – 2.2: Very Low

  • 2.3 – 2.9: Low

  • 3.0 – 3.6: Medium

  • 3.7 – 4.3: High

  • 4.4 – 5.0: Very high

You can read more on the implications of balance here.


  • Can you engrave my name on the handle?

Yes I can!


  • Why SDC?

Simple, it’s my name: Sérgio Diz Cunha.