Category Archives: Industry News and Happenings

6 New Blades from Paul Chen’s Hanwei Forge

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Paul Chen’s Hanwei Forge has been fairly quiet in terms of new releases – but all that changed a few days ago..

Unfortunately, one of the swords really has come out at the worst possible time – so let’s get this one out of the way first..

The timing really could not be much more worse than this – just as Hanwei launch their tribute to the Russian Imperial Army, Russia launches a war against the Ukraine.. So really, the less said the better I think..

Here it is – a fine sword in its own right..

But it has definitely been released at the worst possible time (no fault of Hanwei’s – like the rest of us they had no idea we would be seeing a War in Europe in 2022)..

Thankfully the other 5 swords are not quite as controversial – starting with two new T10 tool steel Katana named after two of the most prominent Daimyo in Japan’s long and turbulent history – starting with the Tokugawa Katana:

And complimented by the Hideyoshi Katana – both just $779.99

And then there are two new releases of two older products – the antiqued version of the Scottish Basket-hilt Backsword:

And a similar but quite different Basket-hilt Broadsword:

And finally, a very affordable and nifty little Saxon/Viking Scramasax replica with Stag handle and carbon steel blade for just $85..

Not a bad line up, and always good to see some new swords and blades from one of the giants of the industry, though I still feel sorry for the Dragoon sword..

New Additions!

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Not one but THREE awesome new sword designs to add to your collection have just become available – starting with:

New Sword # 1

A.P.O.C. Survival Longsword

The latest design to hit the A.P.O.C. series – this Angus Trim (Atrim) designed hand and a half longsword has a 32″ blade forged from monotempered 9260 spring steel and with G10 sandwich tang grip for maximum durability. Truly amazing value for money at just $175.95.

New Sword # 2

Kingston Arms Atrim Designed Type XIIIa War Sword

This one is downright EXCITING – a powerful two handed fully functional replica of an Oakeshott Type XIIIa War Sword – also designed to Atrim specs and by the man himself. What a beast – and a steal at just $379.99..

New Sword # 3

Scorpion Swords Dune Inspired Atreidis Short Sword

Based on the training sword prop from Dune (2021) Scorpion Swords have recreated their version of an Arteidis Short Sword, and for $249.99 have done an amazing job..

A must have for Dune fans and anyone else who appreciates its unique ‘future-past’ aesthetic..

Forge Direct Chinese New Year Sale Now On!

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It is that time of year again – the Forge Direct 25% off super sale is now on!

With price pressure pushing EVERYTHING to new levels, this might be one of the last chances to pick up these swords at these discounted prices (indeed, after the sale we will almost certainly have to raise the base prices, as production costs, material costs and shipping costs have exploded in the last year and are getting increasingly steep at an unprecedented rate)..

The only downside? Production may be delayed by 2-4 weeks from the usual quoted turn around times. But take a look at some of the gorgeous swords we have on offer right now and make up your own mind if the discount is worth the extra wait..

Some of our top picks:

Sword of the Ancients

Truly unique, this fantasy blade forged by Master Michael Ye is a work of functional sword art unlike any other. Normally $900 but available for just $675 while the sale lasts.

Cloud Dragon Willow Leaf Dao

It is an entry level Master Smith forged Chinese Broadsword – and one of the most affordable blades in the entire line up. At $599.99 it is a bargain, but at $449.99 during the sale it is an absolute STEAL.

Laminated Duan Dao

Extremely popular and affordable, tradition meets science with this highly innovative laminated blade. Great quality all around and a true bargain at the current discounted price of $622.49.

This is of course just the tip of the iceberg – have a look at the entire collection and see if there is something that you like:

Forge Direct Chinese

Hanwei Forge Partial Restock

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Our friends at the Hanwei Forge have FINALLY received a partial restock shipment that they had originally been hoping would arrive in mid-November last year – and have gone from literally NOTHING in stock to a fairly good representation of what they usually carry..

Notable restocks include one of their most popular and well made medieval sword replicas, the Albrecht II:

The truly beautiful Premium Quality Swedish Powder Steel made Bushido Katana:

And a true classic, the folded steel Godfred Viking Sword:

In addition, the master distributors of Hanwei, CAS IBERIA also restocked some popular items from Dragon King, Kingston Arms and even the A.P.O.C. Series!

While in most cases it is only a partial restock, it is indeed another case of better late than never – and though the landed cost has increased dramatically at our end, we have only raised prices where the new cost price is higher than our sale price – though price pressure remains incredibly high, so we really don’t know how much longer we can keep the prices where they are..

In the meantime, check out the following brands to see what the restocks have brought:

Hanwei Forge
Dragon King
Kingston Arms
A.P.O.C.

New DH 9260 Spring Steel Katana!

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Ever since Cheness Cutlery announced that they were going out of business due in April 2021 due to supply chain issues, it has been almost impossible to source a genuine 9260 spring steel Katana..

It is a notoriously difficult steel to work with – and so most forges avoided it, preferring to deal with 1045 carbon, 1060 carbon or 5160 spring steel (though that did not stop some unscrupulous sellers from marketing these more common steels as ‘9260 spring steel’ simply to get the sale)..

Indeed, the only other forge in China making 9260 Spring Steel blades is the forge of the A.P.O.C. sword line, though these are tactical swords and not traditional Katana like Cheness used to make..

But all this has changed with today’s release of the ‘Yokaze’ series by our friends at Ryujin Swords!

Yes, our friends at Ryujin have brought 9260 Spring Steel swords back with a vengeance – and this series ticks every box.

  • Differentially hardened edge with a very prominent, natural hamon
  • Same weight at the Cheness Kaze – 2.6lbs (2lbs 9oz) though slightly better balanced (6″ P.O.B. on the Cheness Kaze, 4.5″ on the Ryujin Yokaze)
  • Great quality fittings – cotton ito over real rayskin, matched gold and silver plated brass fitting sets with 5 different themes.

Overall, these swords are the complete package (and come with a free sword display box and cleaning kit) and amazing value at $374.99 – less than $50 more than the historical price for the Cheness Kaze ($329.99) but in our current economic climate with additional upgrades not seen on the original series, if the Kaze was still around the Yokaze would blow it out of the water..

If you are after a serious martial arts grade Katana at a reasonable price, the Yokaze tops the list – though as this is a trial run stock is limited..

Ryujin 9260 DH Yokaze Katana