Category Archives: Paul’s Rants

Occasional outbursts or information leaks that the community may or may not find amusing. Mostly just for the editors stress relief or to get something off my chest that is bothering me..!

Custom Katana Special Offer Ends — Tariffs Strike Again

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Hey folks,

First off, apologies for the quiet spell – I’ve been laid out with a nasty flu this past week, and just as I was starting to recover, the news broke: In response to recent escalations in the trade war from the Chinese side, the U.S. has announced a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, set to take effect November 1st.

This is a major blow to the sword community in a year of major blows. Many of the custom katanas we offer are forged in China by master smiths whose work already carries steep import costs. With this new tariff, prices are facing pressure and are likely going to be pushed in the wrong direction once again..

So here’s what you need to know:

1) The Black Dragon SBG Custom Katana Special Offer is now closed.

2) If you already have a custom order in the system, you’re safe—your pricing is locked in.

3) For future orders, we’re bracing for significant price increases across the board.

We did mention the deal might end suddenly… though we didn’t expect it to be this sudden. The timing is brutal, but transparency matters. I want to make sure every collector understands what’s happening and why.

I’ll be taking a little time to recalibrate – both creatively and logistically (as well as catch up on the work that I missed when I was laid out by the flu) as we navigate this new turning point.

Thank you for your support, your patience, and your passion. More updates soon.

– Paul

Steel, Spirit, and a Vanishing Price—Last Chance on the Ryujin Horimon Series..

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The Ryujin Horimono Series was never meant to be ordinary. From the etched motifs that whisper of dragons, guardians, and forgotten rituals—to the precision-forged blades built for battle and beauty—the soul of each sword pulses with purpose.

But even legends bow to reality. With razor-thin margins and post-tariff pressures, the $79.95 price is being held together by sheer force of will—and it’s slipping away.

SALE ENDED

Current Ryujin Specials

Airshipments Are Back! Swordier Orders Now Arrive in Just 7–14 Days

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No, it’s not “Sword Air” – but it’s the next best thing!

After months of navigating stormy seas—literally and figuratively—we’re thrilled to announce that air shipping from Swordier in China to the USA is back on the menu.

Since the trade war flared up in April, we were forced to shift all Swordier shipments to seafreight. That meant:

  1. Lead times ballooned to over a month
  2. We had to pay hefty tariffs upon arriving in the USA (Up to 145% at one point!)
  3. Orders were consolidated at a US warehouse and then shipped domestically and
  4. And let’s be honest, with all of these additional charges on such high value, low cost swords to begin with, our profit margins were hanging by the barest thread..

But now? We’re flying again. And the best part? The new air shipping option only adds $10 to the price, while slashing delivery times back to a swift 7–14 days. That’s faster than a longsword draw in a tavern brawl!

Swordier: Still the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Don’t just take our word for it—check out Shadiversity’s recent review of the Swordier Type XVIIIc where he calls it:

“One of the BEST swords we’ve ever reviewed!”

That’s high praise from a man who’s tested everything from zweihanders to zombie cleavers. Shad dives into the pros and cons of the Swordier line, including:

  1. Excellent balance and handling
  2. Impressive edge geometry
  3. Unbeatable value

Whether you’re a collector, reenactor, or just someone who appreciates a well-made blade, Swordier continues to deliver serious steel without breaking the bank—or your patience.

Swordier @ SBG

A small but significant restock..

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As the trade war flickered off—only to roar back to life within 24 hours—a handful of swords from two major brands managed to slip through the gauntlet. Despite the brief tariff suspension at customs, the shipment still faced a much heftier duty than ever before. The silver lining? It wasn’t the dreaded 145% and it did NOT raise the price for customers… Small victories, right?

This marks one of the first restocks since the industry was effectively frozen by the April 2nd announcement. While it wasn’t a major shipment, any sword that makes it through is a hard-fought win for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

In times like these, we welcome every scrap of good news with open arms.

So here they are—three newly restocked swords, fresh from the forge and ready to find their rightful place in your collection:

Kingston Arms Scottish Claymore – Brown Leather

Legacy Arms Roman Gladius

Legacy Arms Maintz Gladius

Quick Hanwei Update (Vanishing Blades)

While a few brands have managed to push stock back onto the shelves, Hanwei is seeing the opposite—its swords are disappearing faster than ever. And the worst part? We have no idea when (or even if) some of them will be restocked.

Restocks will be handled on a case-by-case, model-by-model basis, and any future pricing remains uncertain. This means that if you don’t grab these swords now, there’s no telling when your next opportunity will come—if it comes at all.

Here are a few models that are on the brink of selling out (indeed, it is happening so fast now that one item has become sold out as I was typing this out!):

Hanwei Shinobi – LAST ONE

Hanwei L6 Bainite Oni Katana – LAST FOUR

Hanwei Celtic – DOWN TO LAST 5

If you’ve been eyeing one of these blades, now’s the time—before they become relics of a bygone era.

Hanwei Closeout Sale

The White Wolfs Arsenal is Complete! (plus a quick tariff related update)

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The final piece of the Witcher’s legendary collection has arrived—the Sword of the White Wolf is now available from our friends at Swordier.

Forged from perfectly tempered 65Mn spring steel, this sword reflects the craftsmanship worthy of a true monster slayer. The twisted steel hand guard and scent stopper pommel make it an unmistakable tribute to Geralt’s iconic weapon. Wrapped in genuine leather, it offers a battle-ready grip, whether displayed or wielded.

Sword of the White Wolf

Yet, as another great sword enters the collection, the sword industry itself faces immense uncertainty. The trade war continues to wreak havoc, causing production stalls, delays, and project setbacks. While we remain committed to adapting, the full consequences have yet to unfold, making each new launch harder to predict.

While we may slow down on blog updates for now, our commitment to the craft remains unwavering. We thank our dedicated customers, who understand that great things take time—and just like a Witcher, we fight through the unknown with skill, determination, and a blade that never falters…

Swordier @ SBG