Hanwei Renshu Katana Series

What do you get when you cross the Hanwei Practical series with a Hanwei Raptor blade? The answer is – the new limited edition RENSHU series: Heavy duty 5160 monotempered spring steel blades with unique iron tsuba and Practical series tsuka handles..!

The Renshu Series Katana!

The Renshu Series Katana!

Now for those of you who don’t know what they are, and what makes these Katana such a good buy, here is the scoop. The blades are exactly the same as the Raptor series Katana – currently sold out, but priced at $299.99 plus shipping at SBG ($450 over at Hanwei). These blades were designed by the legendary James Williams of Bugei to be no nonsense cutters that you can use on harder, non traditional targets if you don’t have access to tatami mats, etc and have been very well received by the sword community in general.

You can read more about the Raptor Series swords over at CAS Iberia’s website here or watch the video demo below:

Now while these are sold out at the moment, the Renshu series are being offered as an alternative – a limited edition sword with the same blades, 2 uique tsuba designs, and the practical series tsuka to bring the price down..

As such, they are some $50 less than the Raptor here at SBG – making these tough 5160 monotempered spring steel blades better value than ever. And for the month of march only, you can select one of three high quality Japanese sword bags valued at $40 FREE!

A striped design

A striped design

A peacock themed design

A peacock themed design

Or a "Fret" patterned design.

Or a “Fret” patterned design.

Simply select which one you like using the drop down menu and we will include it with your Renshu Katana order for FREE (plus you will also get the basic, black sword bag that comes standard).

Here are the swords on offer, pretty cool designs I think.

Click here for more info

Click here for more info

Click here for more info

Remember, once these are sold out – they are gone for good. So take advantage of this deal while you can!

 

 

 

Just Landed – New Katana and Euro Line by Ronin Katana!

Ronin-knight-blog

This is easily some of the biggest news for lovers of fully functional medieval swords – the new Euro line by Ronin Katana has just landed and they are something pretty special..

Over a year in development, there are 6 new models in the line up, with one handed and two handed models all priced at a ridiculously low $249.99 plus shipping (and the great news is, they are able to be shipped WORLDWIDE – so finally customers in Europe, Canada and Australasia can get a piece of the action without paying more than the cost of the sword itself in shipping!).

Each sword is hand forged from 1075 steel and tempered to perfection, light in the hand (the heaviest is 2.4lbs, which is for a two hander with 32.5 inch blade and 7 inch handle, scent stopper pommel and large curved crossguard, shown below).

The lightest, a single handed hybrid triple fuller blade with simple cross guard and wheel pommel.

Each sword also comes with a FREE bonus wood core, leather sheathe and belt suspension system for wearing or display and come sharpened ready to cut right out of the box!

And if that wasn’t enough (heck, how can it EVER be enough!) they have also introduced 7 new Dojo Pro Katana models, fresh off the docks and ready for immediate shipping!

These really are cool looking designs, some of the best yet – and while I can’t pick my favorite of the new ones, if I had to I would probably have to go with model 27.

Of course, the best thing about these new models are that the blades are identical so you really can’t go wrong, just pick the design you like the most personally without having to worry about blade length, hamon, etc. Tough as nails and ready to go!

Check them all out here

New Hanwei Cawood Sword in Stock

A Viking Longship Photo we purchased the rights to use for our background for the Cawood.

A Viking Longship Photo we purchased the rights to use for our background for the Cawood.

It is one of the coolest new swords from the Hanwei forge, and is based on a historical Viking design that currently resides in the Yorkshire Museum and is the best preserved example of a Viking sword currently excavated.

Here is a pic of the actual sword itself which is a hugely popular attraction.

The actual antique Cawood Sword

The actual antique Cawood Sword

And the replica by Hanwei

And the replica by Hanwei

As you can see, the replica by Hanwei is pretty well reproduced, and weighing only 2lbs 7oz and made from 5160 Spring Steel is a truly functional blade that any Viking would be happy to take into battle.

Click here for more info

 

 

 

 

 

New Product: Cold Steel Gim Sword

The Gim was the first or maybe second Cold Steel sword in my personal collection, and I must say, it is a very impressive and attractive piece.

The blade is scary sharp, and the sound it makes as it cuts through the air loud and intense – which is quite rare for a sword without a fuller.

But as you know, it doesn’t just cut air..

Cuts pretty much anything you care to put in front of it

Cuts pretty much anything you care to put in front of it

These days it can be hard to source at the original review price, but we have done our best to price it as low as we possibly can – and considering what you get (the rosewood scabbard is STUNNING just in itself) it is an absolute steal.

Click here for my original review on SBG

New Product: Cold Steel MAA Chinese War Sword

 

The second Chinese Sword is also serious “eye Candy” – and new as of 2014 from the Man at Arms Series, a new line designed to keep costs down by bluing the blade instead of spending time (and money) polishing the naked steel. And in this case, not only is the new version considerably cheaper than the original – in my opinion at least – looks a lot cooler.

Sure, it may not be appealing to purists, but collectors like myself who appreciate a power chopper – it is a must have.