* 17 clues produce solutions regularly paired with the required grid entry

Across

1* handsaw/hawk H(as)/A(lways)W(arned)/K(orean)

5* Prancer/Dancer DAN<C(ontrite)>E/R(ex)

9 aswim A<S(hort)/W(ave)>IM

10* relatives/friends FRI(day)/ENDS

11* stalactite/stalagmite Stalag/might (hom)

12 blah B(lack) + (Prince) HAL (rev)

14* Herculaneum/Pompeii POMP + EII(R)

18 clever clogs C(old)/LEVER/C/LOGS

21* nuts/bolts double def

22* Englishmen/mad dogs S(on)/GODDAM (rev)

25 honey bear BEAR after HONEY

26* above/beyond B<E(as)Y>OND

27 suspect S(econd)/US + pecked (hom)

28 estates (g)ESTATES

Down

1 hearse HEARS/E(uropean)

2* Newman/Baddiel BADDIE + L

3 sympathies THIS MEP SAY (anag)

4* worst/best BE<S(mall)>T

5 politburo POLIT(e)/RUB(rev)/O(ld)

6* arts/crafts CR(edit)/A/Financial)T(imes)’S

7* Cavalier/Roundhead cryptic/double def

8 rest home MOST HERE (anag &Lit)

13 false start AFTER SALT’S (anag)

15 reconnect NE in CONCERT (anag)

16 acanthus double def [Corinthian capital]

17* meetings/greetings GREET + SING (anag)

19* import/export EX/PORT

20* Engels/Marx marks (hom)

23* Large/Little IT in TELL (anag)

24* Tyne/Wear W<E(nglish)>AR