Category Archives: Industry News and Happenings

New Lower Pricing on Legacy Arms

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We have been fans of Legacy Arms since SBG started in 2005. Indeed, some of the first real swords we ever bought were from when they were named ‘Generation 2’ and we were very impressed by the overall fit and finish, blade quality and hand made toughness that this line represented.

Of course, this was back in 2005 – when they were indeed sub $300 swords and were pretty much the pinnacle of that kind of price point we specialized in. So after YEARS of pestering them for discounts and higher stock levels, the difficult sword market has finally delivered us a gem much like how a diamond forms deep underground over many, many years of building pressure..

Legacy Arms is coming back on the map with much lower pricing, which we believe will once again make this esteemed brand competitive. Just look at what is available RIGHT NOW because with this new lower pricing, many of these blades have become an absolute steal.

EXCALIBUR

The Generation 2 Flagship design and one of the first reviews on SBG way back when, this inspired by John Boormans classic 1981 movie “Excalibur” is not for the faint of heart with solid brass fittings and a tight wire wrapped handle. Previously $519 NOW just $399.95!

RIVER WITHAM VIKING SWORD

This was the blade that old school reviewer ‘ShooterMike’ Harris reviewed back in the day and compared the overall handling and fit and finish to an Albion sword.. Even at the old price of $335 it was a bargain, but now at $269.95 – well, yeah. Not many in stock so grab them while you can..

BLACK PRINCE LONGSWORD

Refined over the years, the Black Prince is a stunning example of a 14th century Type XVa Longsword with peened black pommel, leather wrapped handle with 3 risers and a black steel crossguard. Previously $329, now just $249.99 making it a total bargain in anyones language.

KNIGHTS RIDING SWORD

One of the most common sword types during the middle ages, this short out of the way medieval side arm was and still remains a highly effective method of personal self defence for well to do commoners, archers, knights and even lords and ladies.. Previously a great buy at $269 – now we are more or less giving them away at $199.95

CELTIC ANTHROPOMORPHIC

This sword was a lot of fun back in the day. Originally in brass, they changed the fittings to solid steel to keep the price down. But now the price has totally plummeted, down from $269 to just $199.95!

ROMAN GLADIUS

Ah, I still remember the surprise when I used one of these to sever a dried piece of bamboo thicker than my forearm with one clean cut.. Not bad for a thrusting sword with some serious punch. Only a handful in stock though, and will be cleaned out with the price drop down from $255 to – yup, $199.95.. (wow).

RANGER DAGGER

While the matching Ranger Sword may not be in stock for a while, this fully functional fantasy dagger is available and priced to clear – from $159 to $119.95.

While stock levels are not that high right now and a change to a new supplier who can keep up with the demand these new prices are certain to stimulate, there has never been a better time to grab some of these truly iconic blades at unprecendented low prices..

Have at it folks!

Legacy Arms at SBG

New Swords from Dragon King and APOC!

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With all the supply chain chaos from the last few years, new swords were few and far between as most suppliers struggled with just restocking their existing models. So it’s always great news to see some new swords hit the market – and the new models by Dragon King and APOC are very newsworthy indeed..!

NEW: The Modern Katana and Modern Tanto

I have often thought that many of the traditional ways of making a Katana are quite archaic – and any inherent flaws or weakness in the design, such as the fact that the handle of a traditional Katana is more or less friction fit with two slabs of wood bound by cotton and held together with a single peg of bamboo.

This design works great when lovingly made by a master craftsman, but for entry level swords is more often than not a recipe for disaster – but it is solved with the modern Katana.

With a traditional differentially hardened blade and fully encapsulated G10 irremovable handle – it is finally possible to get an affordable blade that will NEVER be let down by its fittings, and is further complimented with features such as paracord instead of sageo on the sheathe (as most modern people don’t wear the traditional hakama dress of the samurai).

MSRP on this baby is $399.99 – but just $287.95 at the SBG sword Store making it one of the most (if not THE most) solidly made sub $300 Katana ever seen – and a backyard cutters dream..

It is complimented by an equally cool, and equally sturdy, Modern Tanto

Made using the same construction methods and materials as the Modern Katana, combine both together to create a true 21st century Daisho set and is an absolute steal at $199.99 at the SBG Sword Store:

Modern Katana
Modern Tanto

Speaking of Tanto, If you prefer spring steel rather than traditional blades, the latest addition to the Gus Trim designed APOC line up will be right up your ally.

APOC Survival Tanto

It’s sleek, modern and crazy tough – and honestly, we are convinced this one is going to be a hot seller for the APOC series. Especially at its price – $139 – but down to just $109.99 at SBG:

APOC Survival Tanto

APOC Sirupate Kukri

And for those of you who love truly utilitarian blades with a nice leaf blade profile, the Sirupate (which means thin leaf) is the opposite of your standard rather axe like meaty Kukri, and instead is extremely fast and aggressive in the hand. MSRP is $175 but we have it marked down to just $139 at the store:

APOC Sirupate Kukri

APOC Tactical Jian

It is a long time coming – after all, the APOC series has a Tactical Katana, Wakizashi, Gladius, Longsword, Broadsword, Cutlass and even a set of Butterfly swords. But finally it now has a very lightweight (2lbs) and well balanced (3″ POB) Chinese Jian to, as they put it “Find peace and balance amidst the chaos through the steel..”

MSRP is $219 but it is down to just $175.95 at the SBG Sword Store:

APOC Tactical Jian

Forge Direct and Project X Chinese Final Closeout MegaSale!

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It’s no secret that this year has been a very hard one for the sword industry. But behind the scenes in Longquan, China – many of the forges are having an especially hard time. So much so that the very industry that they were famous for for over 2600 years, specifically traditional Chinese sword production, is under threat…

Many of the smiths are seeing such a dramatic decrease in sales and re-orders that they are considering moving exclusively into generic Katana designs (or worse, preparing to exit the industry entirely).

However, we have a solution for you. Before these swords become scarce and difficult to source, we are offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase premium swords at closeout prices. This is your last chance to add high-quality swords to your collection, so don’t miss out on this amazing offer. Our swords are crafted by master artisans and are guaranteed to impress. Take advantage of this limited-time sale and add some of the finest swords to your collection.

First up, from the archives – we are re-releasing 10pcs each of two classic Project X designs on the 10th year anniversary of their first release. The stunning Jian of Marquis Yi and the Dragon Dao:

The Jian of Marquis Yi

The original classic design that kicked off Project X Chinese comes back one last time.. Truly amazing quality, normal price on this sword is over $2600 but is available for just $1599.99

The Dragon Dao

One of the most fierce one handed cutting swords ever made, the stunning Dragon Dao is valued at $3,400 but is available for just $1,799.99 one last time..

As noted, only 10pcs of each model will be sold, after which time these designs will go back to the archives, almost certainly never to be seen again..

But while this is quite dramatic, what follows next takes the sale to a whole new level..

Forge Direct – Final Closeout Sale

As we mentioned at the outset, many of the master smiths and large forges that specialized in high end traditional Chinese swords are preparing to wind up their production of high end, fully functional replicas.

But before they disappear from the store, from now until the 17th of July, the following selection of Forge Direct Chinese swords have been marked down from 30% to 40% – the highest level of discounts ever seen!

Check out the bargains on offer – each one of these swords is heavily marked down to a final closeout price as below. Simply click on the image for the swords details:

Water Lily Jian: $1,000.00 – 40%, NOW $600

Ring Pommel Dao: $1,000.00 – 40%, NOW $600

Damascus Proto-Tanto: $600.00 – 40%, NOW $360

Fire Jian: $999.99 – 30%, NOW $699.99

Double Dragon Jian: $1,599.99 – 30%, NOW $1,119.99

Golden Dragon Feathersteel Jian: $1,599.99 – 40%, NOW $959.99

Dragon Boar Killing Spear: $749.99 – 30%, NOW $524.99

Sword of the Ancients: $900.00 – 30%, NOW $630

Imperial Dragon: $849.99 – 40%, NOW $509.99

Yue Maiden: $810.00 – 40%, NOW $486

Rosewood Dao: $599.99 – 40%, NOW $359.99

Imperial Yi-Dao: $1,485.00 – 40%, NOW $891

Nine Dragon Jian (antiqued finish): $1,300.00 – 40%, NOW $780

Yuchang Jian: $2,000.00 – 30%, NOW $1,400

Red Copper Ruyi Jian: $1,695.00 – 30%, NOW $1,186.50

And a couple of NEW releases..

While we have no idea of its long term future, we have not given up on Forge Direct Chinese quite just yet.. Even after all the models above go left of center stage on the 17th and are discontinued, two new swords have just been added to the line up. Two sword types that have taken a lot of behind the scenes work to have made because WE wanted them for ourselves..

First up, a fully functional Master Smith forged version of Shuangjian – in other words a Twin Jian set!

NEW: Shuangjian (twin jian set) – $999.99

And the second sword, the ULTIMATE Taichi sword – both in terms of quality and price.

NEW: Five Blessings Ultimate Taichi Jian – $599.99

With so many amazing deals on Forge Direct and Project X Chinese until the 17th of July, we are pretty sure that you will find at least something of interest and we hope do your bit to support this struggling sub niche of the sword industry in its time of need.

To check out EVERY offer currently on the table, click the link below:

Forge Direct Chinese

New from APOC: The Survival Wakizashi

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In addition to the recent restock of the APOC Longsword we mentioned just a few days ago, a new Tactical 9260 Spring Steel blade snuck itself into stock – the next logical sword in the series being a matching Wakizashi for the Survival Katana, creating an Apocalyptic Daisho set unlike any other ever seen!

Suitable paired with the Katana or as a short, fast and deadly standalone sword in its own right, the Survival Wakizashi is perfect for survival in cramped conditions yet versatile enough to stand against any other hand held weapon – and an absolute bargain to boot. Normally $199.99 – available at SBG for just $149.99

APOC Survival Wakizashi

Medieval Restock and a new Scottish Claymore

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Starting the month with a restock of popular swords – probably the most notable is the restock of the A.P.O.C. Survival Longsword – which was notably absent from the recent A.P.O.C. sale, and probably would have dominated the fairly lackluster sale we just finished a few days ago as this newest sword in the series has easily become the most popular in the A.P.O.C. line up:

Hanwei also added in some previously unavailable Tinker Pearce designed medieval swords back into the mix, including the Great Sword of War and the Bastard sword and Bastard Sword with fuller:

But most notably, we start the month with a new entry from Kingston Arms that may well be the most authentic and best made affordable production Claymore ever seen – the aptly named, Kingston Arms Scottish Claymore:

Seeing the writing on the wall for the sword industry this year, Kingston Arms have opted to use a more inexpensive to work with steel – rather than 9260 spring steel (which is used on all the other Kingston Arms swords to date) they have opted for 65mn Spring Steel. But this means that this sword is the first in their medieval line up to be able to be offered for sub $300 (MSRP is $389, but by squeezing our margins we can bring it to you for just $274.99).

Awesome value, and as functional as they come and then some.