We’ve always been transparent with our customers, and the truth is, we’re navigating a tough situation in the sword industry right now.
Sword prices are changing dramatically, and no one can say with certainty what the future holds. Since our first official update on the tariffs posted April 6th the situation has continued to worsen, going from an expected price rise of 30-54% to 145% – and still no end (or clarity) in sight..
This makes providing any information about the moving target that is the tariffs and China-USA trade war extremely difficult – as it is still not clear how it will all play out..
Here’s what we do know:
Swords already in the U.S. remain at normal prices (APOC, Hanwei, Kingston Arms, Legacy Arms, Ryujin), but once stock sells out, restocks will be significantly more expensive and/or significantly delayed (restocks, new models and the reboot of the Hanwei line are still progressing at the forges for now, however with impossibly high tariffs, all US based brands are avoiding any new imports until tariffs return to a reasonable level. Right now, with tariffs over 100%, all these brands have become cost prohibitive and are effectively a brick wall against imports).
Direct-from-China swords will be affected starting May 2nd (Black Dragon Forge, Project X, Swordier). We plan to build any cost of tariffs into the actual costs once they are known (currently it is not clear how much will be charged after May 2nd). Regardless, expect prices will rise sharply after May 2nd (existing orders will be addressed on a case by case basis). Naturally this is very disruptive to these lines and furthermore the sheer number of parcels in transit right now trying to beat the May 2nd deadline is a looming disaster of unprecedented proportions. We will not know how it will actually play out until it hits the May 2 ‘Paywall’ so stay tuned for an update on this accordingly…
Non-Chinese brands won’t see huge price changes (Darksword, Kingdom of Arms, Scorpion Swords, Windlass), though minor increases are likely over time due to inflation and increased material costs worldwide…
We’re hopeful that new U.S.-based sword manufacturers will emerge to fill the gap, but let’s be honest—makers like Valiant Armory, Albion, and Arms and Armor already charge premium prices, and that isn’t likely to change. We also are not expecting any local manufacturer to spring up and start selling $150 Katana made in the USA – so sadly we are facing whatever plan the powers that be have in mind is simply going to be very destructive and expensive for the sword industry..
What Happens Next?
Some of our projects have been delayed or shelved while we figure out the best path forward. However, some upcoming releases have made it through and will be released over the coming days and weeks.
Here’s a sneak preview of some of the new swords coming down the line:
Our biggest piece of advice right now? Lock in today’s prices before they disappear (especially on the landed stock lines, because once they are gone – some or many may never return).
We’ll keep monitoring the situation and sharing updates, but the future of affordable imported swords is uncertain—and once prices rise, they won’t be coming back down…
THE USA WAREHOUSED LANDED LINES
Aka the Endangered List..
