Category Archives: Industry News and Happenings

New Project X Custom Katana and the Forge Direct Limited Edition ‘Kuryuken’ Dragon Katana

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It has been several years since we have seen a new Project X Katana blade – so it is with great pride we announce one of the most attractive looking traditional Katana blades ever produced outside of Japan, the Project X Next Generation Elite T10 Choji Hi Polish Custom Katana!

Leveraging the already proven Forge Direct and Project X Soshu Kitae Custom Katana furniture sets and customization options, this Master Smith forged blade is polished to near perfection by Master Polishers using Japanese fingerstones to make the clear natural hamon line POP like never before, and shows just how refined a T10 tool steel DH blade can be when no expense is spared.

Just take a closer look at how defined and clear the nioi of the blade can become, with prominent ashi..

With this sword added to the line up of Custom Katana we have available at SBG, there are now FOUR distinct levels or Tiers of Custom Katana blades available, from entry level Ryujin builds at Tier I (whose blades and fittings are made at the same forge, but shipped as parts to the USA and assembled to order) to Forge Direct at Tier III, which are built entirely at the forge and shipped worldwide from Longquan, and now two models of Project X at Tier IV – the new Choji blades which refine the T10 blade to its highest possible level, and the complex laminated 1095/1060/1045 blades of the original Soshu Kitae Project X Custom Katana.

This new blade also announces the end of the current sale on Forge Direct and Project X. However as we have taken all the data from the sale to arrive at the fairest and most sustainable price points for the entire project, the new sale prices are ALMOST unchanged – the Forge Direct Custom Katana only goes up from the sale price of $629.99 to an even $700 with almost all other prices remaining where they are for as long as we can sustain current sale levels – which is good news for everyone!

And speaking of good news, as we are now only days away from the official start of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon in 2024, we release a luxurious Forge Direct Limited Edition design, the Forge Direct LIMITED EDITION Elite T10 “Kuryuken” Dragon Katana!

This T10 Choji Hamon Forge Direct Master Smith blade is complimented with a suite of Dragon themed fittings, from the 24K gold plated Dragon tsuba to the elite Mother of Pearl inlaid Dragon saya to an exclusive and highly detailed premium Dragon horimono engraving (which at $100 on one side, is normally not something we offer on the custom Katana series) complimented with upgraded Black leather ito with hishigami.

If you add it all up, the total cost of this build would normally be $924.50, but is available at the same price as the base custom Katana for just $700 shipped – and with only 10pcs ever to be made, is definitely a unique and attractive offer for lovers of Dragon themed blades..

Pretty exciting stuff – check out the current full line ups for current pricing and models available:

Forge Direct Japanese
Project X Japanese

Two New Swords from Kingston Arms (plus a new Legacy Arms Dagger and general restock)

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Kingston Arms continues to expand their range of affordable, yet very well made European swords with an example of a Scottish one handed arming sword and a “Hanger” sword replica from the Revolutionary War..

The first of the two, the Scottish Arming Sword, is based on a classic 15th century design and is set apart from other arming swords of the era by the lobed quillons and short langet that made this sword distinctively and instantly recognized as Scottish.

Great value at $285, but a steal at $224.99 right here at SBG.

Scottish Single Handed Sword

The second blade is a faithful fully functional replica of a typical sword that was in frequent use during the American Revolutionary War of April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783 and was called a ‘Hanger’ because these types of hunting swords, used for both fighting and woodland survival tasks, hung from the belt at the ready.

This replica is fast, keen edged and lightweight at only 1lb 14oz – with great value at $389, but truly awesome bang for the buck at the SBG price of just $274.99.

Revolutionary War Hanger

Additionally, the Legacy Arms line continues to refresh itself with the latest version of their classic Irish Dagger, matching blade to the Irish Sword, hitting the shelves at a very reasonable $155 (even MORE reasonable $124.95 at the SBG Sword Store).

And at the same time these blades have landed, we also have a large restock of swords from Dragon King, Kinsgton Arms and the Hanwei Forge. Here are some of the notable restocks..

Just Restocked..

The Albrecht II by Hanwei, an imposing beast of a thing and still sub $300 at $297.95.

Tinker Pearce Longsword – these NEVER stay in stock for long and there are less than a dozen available, so le the feeding frenzy begin at just $249.99 for one of the best made, best balanced swords on the market full stop!

The Tinker 9th Century Viking sword is another amazing blade for pennies on the dollar in terms of what you actually receive. Total bargain at $269.99.

The Banshee is one of those swords that if you haven’t already got it, you REALLY don’t know what you are missing out on. A steal at $229.99

The Dark Sentinel is another one of those fantasy blades that kicks ass in the real world. Still under-priced and crazy good value at (wait for it) just $149.95..

And for the lover of medieval swords who thinks they have seen everything, the infamous ‘clear the pike line’ of the German Landsknecht ‘catskinner’ sword guaranteed to put a smile on your face with its handling and impressive striking power for just shy of $300 at $299.99

3 New Forge Direct Chinese Blades for Chinese New Year

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In past years we have traditionally had a special Chinese New Year sale to celebrate our range of premium quality, Longquan Master Smith forged replicas of Chinese swords spanning over 3000 years of continuous history and sword making.

This year, we still have a sale on the entire line up carrying over from late last year! But before ‘all good things come to an end’ we have added three brand new designs to the sale made by Master Smith Jiang Xiaolong and his brother Xiaowu (both who are certified rank 2 master smiths).

Sword #1: Dragon Abyss Sword

An ancient design over 2400 years prior to the present day, it is a replica of a legendary blade of the Chinese folk hero Wu Zixu and his famous ‘sword of integrity’ also known as the ‘three generation Dragon Abyss sword’. Like all the new blades in this series, it has an expertly folded 1095 carbon steel blade with cleanly differentially hardened edges and complimented with solid brass fittings and an ebony wood scabbard.

Dragon Abyss Sword

Sword #2: White Lotus Rebellion Cleaving Saber

A small and concealable sidearm of the mysterious White Lotus Society, such a blade may have been seen in this anti excessive taxation rebellion that occurred in China over a 9 year period 21 years after the events of a similar popular uprising in the United States called the Boston Tea Party.. Very attractive and very effective, plus a cool and unique scabbard making it the perfect desk accessory for a classy office or home study.

White Lotus Cleaving Saber

Sword # 3: Sword of Wen Zhong

Even during the extremely turbulent and warlike era of the ancient Zhou Dynasty that encompassed the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, high ranking officials needed a blade that was both practical and yet also symbolic of their stature. This replica is one such piece, beautifully deadly and with a terrifyingly effective, fight ending thrust.

Sword of Wen Zhong

All three swords hit the ground at the sale price, marked down from $1000 each to $749.99 with free worldwide shipping. But the sale will end in early-mid February, so if one of these blades appeals, get them while the price is as low as it can go…

Forge Direct Chinese

New Lower Base Cost on the Ryujin Custom Katana Series!

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Inflation has been eating away at the profit margins of sword sellers for quite some time now. However after raising the price of the Ryujin Custom Katana series from $249.99 to $279.99 to factor in our skyrocketing costs, sales have gone down to a point where it’s a little unsustainable, and that would mean raising the price even higher again..

However, there was one part of the Ryuin custom sword that added the highest cost and that is the selection of 24k gold coated 1045 carbon steel tsubas which added an average of $50 to the overall build cost.. And with costs rising, adding this as the default option no longer makes sense.

So from today we are reverting to the all black versions of the tsuba with no gold plating as the default and charging an additional cost if you want to upgrade to the gold and/or silver coated tsubas – which magically brings the price back down to $249.99 and hopefully sees us return to sustainable sales levels on this very cool concept we have run for the last 7 or 8 years.

Now it is totally up to you if you want to pay a little extra and get a much nicer looking tsuba, or are content with something more subtle and subdued for a $30 saving (after all, both are made from the same metal – and the real value of these swords is in the blades themselves and the ability to mix and match themes and colors to create your own unique sword delivered in record time).

Plus we added an additional tsuba, a stainless steel piece with a classic Celtic Triquetra imprint reminiscent of Michonne’s sword from the Walking dead:

Additionally, there are also a few extra tsuba returned and added as an option, along with upgraded saya – one with Mother of Pearl inserts and another with the top section wrapped in buffalo horn, each available for an additional $50 if you want to really make your design next level (and can STILL keep it sub $300!).

Check them out today:

Ryujin Custom Katana Series

Custom Iaito also available HERE

New Year, New Blades!

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Happy New Year Sword fans!

What better way is there to kick off a new year than with some brand spanking new blades? I don’t know of a better way, so here’s 3 cool new blades from Ryujin Swords to start the new year off with!

SUPER COOL

Black Back Mounted Katana

The fullered 1045 carbon steel blade is the clean lined and well tempered centerpiece of this sword, but it is the complete package with faux leather wrapped black on black hit, tsuba and unique patterned leather wrapped wood core saya (scabbard) with a back wearable strap for when the going gets tough..

A total bargain at just $129.99, but on sale right now for a measly $84.99..

More Info

PROJECT PIECE

Black Shirasaya Blade

With the economy more or less gone to the dogs, it makes sense that if you want a fancy sword but don’t have several hundred dollars to have someone else make it for you, you could save a small fortune by doing it yourself. This simple but sturdy 1045 carbon steel blade housed in Black Shirasaya fittings could be just the ticket as the foundation of your own sword project – or you could just leave it as is as a cool display piece, affordable blade to practice sharpening and polishing on – the possibilities are endless when it is priced at just $99.99 $69.99..

More Info

TOTAL BARGAIN

Black Crane Tanto

The blade is perfectly tempered length of hard wearing 65mn spring steel. The hilt, simple black on black – the saya, form fitting and weather resistant ABS with a highly detailed UV print of Cranes and Cherry Blossoms. But the price at just $74.99 for a spring steel blade like this, a bargain – and at our current sale price of $49.99, a TOTAL Bargain!

More Info

Check out all these and more in the HOT SPECIALS of our site today.

More blade and hot deals coming soon, but these are definitely the least expensive bargains to start off the new year with our best foot forward.