Category Archives: Project X Updates

Just before the Year Ends, Project X is BACK!

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We hope everyone enjoyed a joyful Christmas, full of festive cheer and time well-spent with loved ones. As we transition into the New Year, we wanted to inform you that while our shippers are taking a well-deserved break until January, we remain open for business, albeit with a reduced crew.

Exciting Updates for Project X and Forge Direct

We’re thrilled to share some major updates for Project X and Forge Direct. Recently, on October 23rd, Project X parted ways with “Ronin Katana” due to some unfortunate business practices on their end. If you missed the details, you can catch up here

To keep it brief, the separation revealed that SBG wasn’t receiving its fair share (or rather, Ronin was taking way more than their fair share) which caused us to (unwittingly) not be able to offer as much value as was actually possible for both Project X and Forge Direct offerings. While this was a tough lesson in trust, it has paved the way for a significant transformation.

The New and Improved Project X Soshu Kitae (Version 4.0)

The first noticeable enhancement in Project X swords is the expanded range of fittings and customization options.

OLD FITTING SELECTION

NEW FITTING SELECTION

Previously, we charged extra for elite fitting sets and saya, with custom Katana prices ranging from $1,150 to $1,405. Now, EVERYTHING is included at one flat, low price without any additional charges.

The new selection is a substantial upgrade. All premium options, once subject to extra fees, are now part of the package. The blade quality has also been enhanced, maintaining the exceptional standards you expect from Project X.

Lead times have been drastically reduced from 8-10 weeks to just 4-6 weeks. And for those who seek the utmost in customization, the price has dropped significantly. Previously, with all premium options, the cost could reach $1,405. Now, you get everything for just $999.95 for the Katana and $879.95 for the Wakizashi or Ko Katana, including FREE worldwide shipping.

PROJECT X CUSTOM KATANA (Mark IV)

$999.95

PROJECT X CUSTOM WAKIZASHI/KO KATANA (Mark IV)

$879.95

Forge Direct Joins Project X

But the evolution doesn’t stop there. The Project X offshoot, Forge Direct Japanese, has been streamlined and integrated under the Project X umbrella. This alignment brings uniformity in fittings and options, with some distinct differences:

  • The blade material: Master Smith Forged T10 Tool Steel instead of Soshu Kitae
  • The lead time: 3-4 weeks instead of two months
  • The price: Previously $840 to $1,095, now just $699.95 for the Katana and $599.95 for the Wakizashi or Ko Katana

FORGE DIRECT CUSTOM KATANA (Version 5.0)

$699.95

FORGE DIRECT CUSTOM WAKIZASHI/KO KATANA (Version 5.0)

$599.95

Not exactly the ideal time to launch, however..

There has to be a catch, and here it is: the Lunar New Year Holiday is approaching, which means our forge will pause operations just as we launch these revamped swords. While the timing is less than ideal and lead times will temporarily revert to the old schedule, we assure you that the wait will be worth it. The quality and craftsmanship of these swords will reflect the dedication and fresh energy of our Master Smiths when they return from their break.

Wishing you all the best for the New Year!

Project X

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

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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.

Temporary Retooling for Forge Direct Chinese

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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!).

Thanks for bearing with us!

Goodbye to a handful of designs but a BIG HELLO to a VERY nice Limited Edition Forge Direct Katana Design..!!

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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:

Forge Direct Black Dragon Ouroboros

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…

Dragon Dao

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..