Category Archives: Store Product Info and Musings

One of the least common types of medieval swords, both historically and also with modern functional reproductions, was the Hollow Ground blade – which is essentially a blade with a concave grind either side of the central ridge that swoops up slightly and terminates with a secondary bevel..

Below are some examples of typical medieval sword cross sections from Wikipedia – the Hollow Ground blade is not exactly right, but gives you some general idea..

A hollow ground blade was primarily used against lightly armored (leather) or unarmored opponents and the main advantage was, sharpness and viscous cutting ability. These were the kind of swords that would quite easily lop off and arm or a leg with a casual swipe, while the other types of edge geometry were designed to withstand chain and heavier armors, so lose some raw slicing ability in the process..

To make it all work properly, a hollow ground sword needs to avoid tapering off to a thin edge but instead MUST end in a secondary bevel, something some collectors think is ahistorical, but the reality is that EVERY historical hollow ground sword had a secondary bevel to ensure the edge was strong enough to asborb the power of the cut.

In many ways, I am surprised hollow ground swords are not more commonly available – as they are, by their very design, the kind of swords best designed for cutting common backyard targets such as water filled bottles, pool noodles, tatami mats, etc (after all, most backyard cutters do not need a sword able to withstand chain armor).

But these days, there are essentially only 2 swords on the market with this geometry, the $1570 Albion Regent and – very recently – the $499 Kingston Arms Crecy Sword

Above is a picture of the Kingston Arms version – and even from this pic, the hollow ground design – swooping in on both sides from the central ridge, then scooping upwards and ending in a viscous secondary bevel – is very clear to see.

I think that the main reason these swords are not more commonly seen on the market is simply due to the extra difficulty involved in doing it well (the hollow ground geometry is NOT easy to do correctly, and takes nearly twice as long as a standard edge) and the fact that, well, not that many collectors understand the benefits of this kind of geometry and the fact that it needs to be done differently than a hollow ground knife.

As these are so rare, and yet so suitable to the desires and needs of many a backyard cutter, if you do have a chance to try one out – you will not be disappointed. That much I am certain of..

Angus “Gus” Trim from Atrim fame is a name that needs no introduction in the world of medieval swords. His swords have been uniformly praised for their sturdiness, craftsmanship and authentic handling and cutting ability – but for years have been almost impossible to source and out of production..

But at the Blade Show 2016, Cas Iberia – the official distributor for Kingston Arms – unveiled their latest collaboration with Gus Trim and showed off a prototype of his competition cutting Longsword as well as some Gus Trim designed Atrim swords to be produced by the Dragon King Forge under the Kingston Arms banner..

Here is a video from the show introducing the prototypes (including some sneak previews of other swords coming down the line)..

And here is the Competition Cutter coming down the line.

Angus (Gus) Trim has partnered with us to make a longsword designed specifically for HEMA longsword cutting practice.

Across the globe practitioners of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) are participating in taking their training regimen to the next level, incorporating cutting practice and competition into their routines. Similar to the test cutting practice used in Japanese Martial Arts (Tameshigiri), cutting using medieval style longswords validates the techniques learned through sparring as effective martial techniques.

However this sword is far from being a one trick pony, perfectly acceptable as a typical cruciform style longsword (well, as typical as you could call any sword made by Gus). Gus has simply taken those historical parameters and put together a sword he feels incorporates elements geared to making it an exceptional cutting sword. The blade geometry is hexagonal with a complex distal taper for rigidity in the cut. The edge is a well tuned appleseed geometry, providing enough steel behind the edge for durability while allowing for smooth cutting of softer targets. Most anyone can touch up the edge using a leather strop and a steady hand.

Individually made by Gus himself, these swords will be available in limited quantities. 

Overall: 47 1/4″
Blade Length: 36″
Handle Length: 9″
Weight: 2lb 13oz
Point of Balance: 5″
Blade Steel: 5160

Keep your eye out for them, this new collaboration looks exciting and it will be great to see some of Gus’s swords and designs available on the market again.

We mentioned they were coming a few posts back and they are finally here! What more need I say – check them out here, you will not be disappointed..!

Cold Steel are adding some additional swords to their line up, and while they are not yet in stock and probably won’t be until next month, here is a bit of a sneak preview of what is coming down the line..

MAA – Arming Sword

MAA Arming Sword

From their Man At Arms (MAA) series, with all black fittings and blade – the first of Cold Steels New Swords is the Arming Sword, a classic one handed arming sword with upturned quillions and wheel pommel, this basic sidearm of the medieval knight is certain to be a popular addition, and an affordable one too.

MSRP $369.99 – Our Sale Price, likely to be $229.99-249.99

MAA La Fontaine Sword of War

MAA La Fontaine Sword of War

Luke La Fontaine

Perhaps the most ornate sword to grace the MAA line up, the La Fontaine Sword of War has a massive 37″ blade with a total length of slightly over 52″ and weight of 4.9lbs, this is a one beast of a sword based on a design by Luke La Fontaine, who you may know from the Deadliest Warrior Series 1 and 2 and the owner of Weapons Action Resource Studios (WAR Studios).

Truly a monstrous sword for only the strongest swordsman, it has a MSRP of $549.99 but we will likely stock it for around the $330 mark.

English Backsword

English Backsword

The first of the next two swords are both Renaissance era blades, a sword category that has been sorely lacking in recent years as sword manufacturers have scaled back production due to the poor economy, and great to see making a comeback.

Their Backsword is essentially an English Mortuary Sword, seen on the battlefields of the English Civil War and looks remarkably well done. In truth, these are some of my favorite one handed swords, the protection offered to the hand by the basket hilt is extraordinary, and apparently the Cold Steel team can’t put it down as it flows so effortlessly from the hand it is a true joy to wield.

Price on this one is MSRP of $399.99 but we should be able to bring it to the market for somewhere around the $250 mark.

Cavalier Rapier

Cavalier Rapier

Another Renaissance Sword and a category of blades that all but disappeared from the market, the highly ornate Cavalry Rapier is a transitional rapier from the 1600s, something of a hybrid between a true rapier and a smallsword. With sharpened edges and needle like point, this refined gentleman’s sword is considerably more expensive than Cold Steels usual European sword offerings, with a MSRP of $799.99 and not so much wiggle room for us to discount, but will likely hit the store for around $500.

But considering the dearth of choices for enthusiasts of Renaissance era swords these days, is well worth the investment if you are in the market for a quality, fully functional replica.

As you will know already, Forge Direct as we know it ends at midnight the 10th of April and there is now less than 48 hours before all the previously available models are permanently archived, discontinued and never available again..

And until the final hour, you get one last chance to secure one of these stunning blades at a whopping 25% off..

But after they are all gone, it does NOT mean the Project itself is at an end.. While the smiths we worked with before have pulled the plug, Master Xianlong who made the famous Jian of Marquis Yi and original Dragon Dao with Project X Chinese has agreed to continue to work with us, and a new master and our personal friend, Master Michael Ye, has also agreed to produce some swords for us – so while the original Smiths we started the Project with will finish taking new commissions from the 10th of April, like a Phoenix, the Project rises again and will continue and grow over the coming months, stronger than ever..

Two swords we briefly released and then archived once we heard the Project was suddenly forced to change direction will be coming back once the currently selection is locked away – and that is the stunning Red Ebony Jian and the Haiyantang Zodiac sword.

Red Ebony Jian

Haiyangtang Zodiac Sword

But here are two others that will be made available after the current selection closes..

COMING SOON!!

The first is truly unique, fully sharpened, fully functional double butterfly swords for the most discerning Wing Chun Practitioners..

Wing Chun Butterfly Swords

Dragon Flame Jian

More swords will be added as we go, indeed behind the scenes quite a few new designs are being negotiated, so while the current models are indeed going away, new ones are slowly lining up to take their place and whether you grab one of the closeout models before they are gone or wait to see what is next, Forge Direct will go on..