SBG has officially severed all ties to Ronin Katana, and it’s effects on other, related projects..
Dear Customers,
We regret to inform you that, effective immediately, Sword Buyers Guide will no longer be carrying Ronin Katana products – and that this has also caused us to temporarily close down Project X, Forge Direct as they were our partners in these projects and we are in the process of upgrading and re-tooling these projects accordingly. This decision was made after careful consideration and is based on several serious concerns that we have chosen not to disclose at this time due to potential legal implications.
We want to assure our customers that this decision is not related to the quality of Ronin Katana’s products, but rather to our commitment to upholding the highest standards of business practices.
We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition. Thank you for your continued loyalty to Sword Buyers Guide.
Sincerely, Paul Southren, Sword Buyers Guide
UPDATE: Any customers who will be effected by these changes will be contacted personally over the course of the next few days. All original product listings can currently be found in the ARCHIVES page of the store.
Don’t panic, Forge Direct Chinese hasn’t gone out of business! But due to circumstances that I will explain in detail at a later date, we need to retool each model and mix things up a bit with a new and better supplier.
But for now, the entire line has been temporarily mothballed and cannot be ordered until we have finished the retooling and overhaul.
Sorry for the inconvenience as we know some swords only just came out, but it needs to be done to improve and maintain QC levels and keep pricing as low as possible (indeed, my hope is when the line does return, the prices will be even LOWER!).
Well, September 7th came and went and as promised we have deleted the Project X Choji Line, wished the four beasts Jian on its way – and we were supposed to do with one more model too.. But I just could not find the heart and managed to negotiate a pretty sweet deal…
But that’s not the heart of what this post is about and I will circle back to that. Because what I am talking about started in February this year: you might recall to Celebrate the year of the Dragon we pulled out all the tops and made a stunning Forge Direct Limited 10 piece collection called the “KuryuKen” with the Master Smiths at Forge Direct.
The Original Forge Direct Red Dragon “Kuryuken” Design
With many limited features not available on the normal custom line and priced so low that we might as well as closed up shop and gave them away – they sold out pretty darned quick (can’t remember just how fast it was, but it wasn’t much longer than 48 hours for 9 of 10 to sell and the last one, about a week later).
At the same time of this release, we also promised that while it would be the the first Forge Direct Limited Edition Model, it would not be the last. And so here it is, the second Dragon Sword in the series, after months in the making – and likely the last year model for the year!
INTRODUCING:
The NEW Limited Edition Black Dragon Orouboros Katana
As usual with these limited edition designs, there is a lot to take in and not a whole lot of time to think about it before they are sold out and gone for good. So here’s the basics:
Because of our special status with the forge, these limited edition designs get a lot of unique features that the usual custom line don’t have access too, but if we priced it out it would come to around $989 or so (stupidly low, it really should be well over $1200 but at SBG we try to keep margins as low as humanly possible) but the 10 pcs that are available are even discounted, and available at $899.99 with FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING.
But that is how our line will be, (I hope at least) cool designs with unique features and the best possible pricing for 10 like minded individuals out there:
Couple of Post Scripts Before I forget in my old age..!
P.S. Before I forget in my old age, while we quietly archived some Forge Direct and Project X swords not all that long ago, there was one that I just could nor bring myself too, especially after the forge saw it got a few last minute sales, sparking their interest in its potential..
I am talking about the ‘Sword of Heavens’ because it was a kind of demo sword from the forge to show what they could do and it’s so good we are willing to sell it even it it just breaks even because, well, it’s just so cool for $650
I don’t know how long either of these designs will be around for, so if you snooze on these, you definitely lose..
And before this post turns into “War and Peace” – there was one final (and rather large) mistake we made pricing the New Dragon Dao.. Several major charges were left off our pricing, meaning that the current price of $999 was way to cheap and it needs to go to $1,299.99 to cover our costs and make a small profit, while at $999 – well that’s a sure fire way to go out of business.
We agreed to hold the price until the 12th of September, so there’s an untended bargain for you! Sorry about that, we are usually really careful when it comes to pricing as our margins are as low as possible, so this is definitely embarrassing and once again costly at a time when we need to up our sales. But it is what it is, so until the 12th grab it at the grandfathered price before it gets back closer to what it is actually worth…
P.P.S. Don’t get distracted too much by the other details, the Black Orouboros is where it is at – but at that quality and that price, I’d be surprised if it was there for much longer..
We have a tried a LOT of unique traditional Chinese sword designs over the years. But it would seem that as the industry has slowed down and lost momentum for high end Chinese swords (and honestly, who can blame them, some of the entry level stuff is pretty darned good!) – the time has come to more or less settle on the designs that will define the brand.
So quietly over the last few weeks and months, we have been re-organizing Forge Direct Chinese – bringing back two new blades, and getting rid of almost all the others until we have the best of the best, those blades that customers send us in glowing reviews time after time.
‘Swords’ such as the ‘Boar Killing Spear’ (technically a short hafted blade with extra long handle):
BOAR KILLING SPEAR IS BACK
And then at the Elite end, the complex Windsteel laminated folded blade and stunning fittings of the Monkey King sword (and with this one, if you need to ask how much it is, then you can’t afford it):
RETURN OF THE MONKEY KING
And then, one final hurrah on two swords before they go before the end of the month – the NEW Four Beasts Jian and the Dragon Tiger Jian. Maybe it was the economy, maybe people just didn’t like them – but they are on crazy discount pricing over on the HOT SPECIALS section until the end of the month, after which they join the sword graveyard in the sky..
And if that was not enough, at the end of the month we are also discontinuing our Project X Elite high polish Choji Katana and it will be sold off at Forge Direct levels until the end of the month.
It’s pretty crazy how the sword industry often doesn’t actually buy what it says it really wants – but either way, they aren’t many of these in the world so if you want a truly unique blade before its too late in a few days time, you had better put that custom order together quick quick..
And FINALLY (told you there was a lot of Forge Direct and Project X news going on right now) – we are proud to announce what might well be the last addition to the Forge Direct family.. The Dragon Dao Mk II!
Unlike the limited edition of 20pcs (that ran for around $1800 or so) – the simplified but hardly ‘stripped back’ version of the Dragon Dao is available all year long, looks as mean as hell and one cut and you will be hooked for life..
Check it out and the entire brand new and we hope more permanent, stable line up over at Forge Direct today:
Attention sword enthusiasts and collectors! If you’ve been eyeing those exquisite Forge Direct Chinese swords, now is the time to act. We’re offering last chance discounts on five remarkable blades that are about to be discontinued. Don’t miss out on owning a piece of history – these swords won’t be available for long! (offer ends 31st of May)..
LAST CHANCE OFFER #1:
Dragon Abyss Sword
Based on a 2400 year old tale the Dragon Abyss Sword, also known as the sword of integrity, is a stunning differentially hardened and folded octagonal geometry profiled blade with exotic and striking Dragon themed fittings. Was $999.99
Good things come in small packages, and this small but expertly made chopping cleaver based on blades brandished during the White Lotus Rebellion is certain to impress. Lightning fast and cuts like a one handed mini-katana. Was $999.99
Another ancient sword from the warring states period, the originals were far ahead of their time, and this stunning fully functional replica is a fitting tribute with a folded and differentially hardened blade and solid brass fitting sets. Was $999.99
From the Master smiths of the esteemed Baojian Forge, this Tang dynasty blade was famous throughout Asia and that served as the inspiration for the Japanese ‘Chokuto’ sword.Was $1,215.00
Another highly advanced for its era sword, blades like this one were the pinnacle of ancient Chinese sword making. Clean simple lines throughout with a folded 1095 carbon steel blade with hexagonal blade geometry. Was $1,170.90
Special Reintroduction: Feathersteel and Spinsteel Swords
But wait, there’s more! We’re thrilled to reintroduce two exotic steel swords using and advanced and rarely seen folding techniques made by one of our favorite Master Sword Smiths, Master Michael Ye. Both Spinsteel and Feathersteel (also known as Windsteel, as the pattern looks like the wind blowing on the surface of a lake) are highly complex and rather rare forging techniques that Master Ye specializes in.
Here the steel revolves as it is folded and pattern welded – with a consistent ‘feathered’ or ‘wind surface’ pattern for a Feathersteel/Windsteel blade or in the case of Spinsteel, mixing more traditional Damascus with Feathersteel for the most eye pleasing, complex pattern.
The technique when done by a Master Smith results in a beautiful and yet still VERY strong blade, take a look at this video made for a limited edition Windsteel blade by Master Ye tested destructively against a wide variety of traditional and challenging targets..
And the best part is, they are ALSO on sale until the end of the month, allowing anyone who is fast enough to snap them up at the very best price humanly possible..
Golden Dragon Feathersteel Jian
With a refined Otcagonal profile blade and fine Feathersteel patterning from the hilt to the tip, the Golden Dragon Feathersteel Jian is a forceful and impressive sword with attractive Dragon themed fittings. The usual price on this beauty is $1,599.99 but is available with a 25% discount of $399.99 until the end of the month.
This one is the most complex of the two, alternating a Feathersteel pattern by rotating (spinning) the steel as it is folded and pattern welded into shape. It’s incredibly hard to make and only a handful of smiths still know how to make it – so if you want something truly unique to add to your collection, the Spinsteel Jian would have to be it. Because it is so hard to make, the price reflects this and it is normally $2,299.99. However until the end of the month you can save $575 with 25% off..
To see all the special offers and traditional Chinese blades all in one place, check out our Forge Direct Chinese page in the store today before the discounts end and 5 blades become off the menu once and for all..
