Category Archives: Extra Product Info

Another line has just been re-added to the store, and that is Darksword Armory and their range of European and Functional Fantasy Swords.

We removed them for a while as we were not able to offer as good a deal as they were over the lead up to Christmas (they were offering a free stiletto and a free Game of Thrones banner to every customer from around November) plus we also were getting some complaints about the sharpening service, so now that we have brought them back we have decided NOT to offer the service any longer..

It is not that there is anything actually WRONG with the sharpening service, but rather it is a matter of meeting modern day customer expectations. It seems many customers who pay extra for a sharpening service expect an edge that will easily cut water bottles like a katana, while Darksword provide what they argue is a closer to authentic medieval edge – but this is a contentious point (pun intended) among sword enthusiasts and collectors – and not made any easier by other sword providers and sword lines such as Windlass Steelcrafts, who provide a shaving sharp bevelled edge to customers who select the optional sharpening service, or the RK Euro line which are shipped ready to cut water bottles, tatami mats and bamboo straight out of the box with an appleseed bevel..

Darksword are quite clear about what they provide on their FAQ page here which states in response to the question “are your swords razor sharp”:

In regards to the edge of the sword, it should be noted that medieval swords were not made with a razor edge. This is not only due to the blade geometry, but also due to the fact that the purpose of a European sword is not to cut through armor but rather break (slash) armor and pierce (thrust) an opponent. Katanas on the other hand are very different. The edge of a katana is razor sharp as its purpose is to cut through (leather) armor and bone. The thickness and edge geometry however is very different to European weapons. As such, a medieval sword cannot and was not sharpened with a razor edge as katanas.

For further details I would suggest reading the following article by renown author and reenactment combat teacher Hugh Knight:

http://talhoffer.blogspot.ca/2011/05/how-sharp-were-medieval-swords.html

I also suggest reading the i33 combat manual for insight into the use and therefore sharpness of the medieval sword:  http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/restricted/i33/i33text.pdf

Finally, I would suggest watching the following documentary with John Clements. It explains the different between edge sharpeness of the medieval sword as opposed to the katana:

https://youtu.be/58NVoTocUOk

For further reading on edge analysis we have also written an article on our blog. You can read it at the following link:

https://darksword-armory.com/analysis-edge-sharpness-middle-ages/

European swords cut extremely well despite not having razor sharp edges. The cutting ability however is created by the angle of the cut, speed and motion (slicing). All three combined will create a momentum in which the sword will cut through cutting targets quite easily.

However, in my experience – most customers don’t actually read the FAQ on a site, and with an expectation already in their minds as to what a sharpened blade should be, tend to complain when they receive a sword that is not to their expectation. So rather than put disclaimers and explanations all over the site, for the time being at least we have simply opted to remove the sharpening service as an option and are clear that the swords are shipped unsharpened, allowing customers the option to sharpen themselves if so desired..

Additionally we also found that offering a sharpening service led some customers to get confused as to if our other swords were sharpened or not (to which the answer is, yes – almost all of them are!) so as you can see, there was a lot to consider and a lot of cases where we ended up losing too much money refunding customers whose expectations were not met from the sharpening service while explaining why it was sharpened the way it was..

Anyway, while we may not offer the sharpening service, what we DO offer is FREE SHIPPING in the USA and Canada and a bonus $25 coupon code to anyone who reads any of our Darksword Armory Reviews (or indeed, reads this particular blog post!)..

Click to automatically add the coupon to your cart

And as you can see, some of their latest swords – though well above the $300 price point – are truly works of art, my personal favorite – their Warmonger Fantasy Sword..

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF DARKSWORD ARMORY SWORDS

One of my favorite swords of all time is the Hanwei Ninjato – a short bladed, two handed, supremely pragmatic sword that I reviewed several years ago here..

Since then I spent a lot of time researching Ninjato – both by reading many books on the subject such as the Shoniki, “True Path of the Ninja” by Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami, “Ninja Attack!” by Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt, and also taking several visits to the Iga Ninja Museum in present day Mie Prefeture, Japan. .

And while I still feel it is somewhat more Hollywood than fact, seeing this particular sword being displayed in the museum made me wonder if Hollywood was not all that far from the truth..

While it is a replica, there is no denying its similarity to the Hollywood Ninja Sword

Now bear in mind that this is a modern replica, not a historical original. I have looked far and wide for an actual antique Ninjato and every time the search has been fruitless.. But this does not necessarily mean that they never existed – just that they were not very highly prized and were just another tool in the Shinobis rather extensive toolbox.. (for the record, I think they actually used whatever sword they needed for the job at hand, sometimes it was a sword hidden in a stick, sometimes it was a standard katana, sometimes it was the Bujinkan style katana, and when they were not disguised and on a night mission – they probably DID use a sword like the one shown above)..

At the end of the day, this style of sword WORKS – and in tribute to the style – Hanwei have made 4 of the very best fully functional replicas currently available on the market.. The original Practical Ninja-to I reviewed above – and then two others the Iga and the Kouga Ninja-to..

These swords are highly acclaimed for their speed and functionality, and have not been available for years but right now we have a handful of both available and are offering at an extremely fair prices..

But you will need to be quick – quick as a Ninja to be honest.. Because they are selling out fast and will not be available for long..

Click here for more info on the Iga Ninja-to

Click here for more info on the Kouga Ninja-to

This is one of the most exciting Projects SBG has ever been involved with.. Working in conjunction with Longship Armoury, Furia is a one of a kind sword hand made in the USA by John Lundemo from Odinblades fame, a legend of the industry with over 25 years experience in the art of sword making..

The basic concept of the sword is simple – from a bar of S7 shock steel – one of the toughest steels available (more durable than even the legendary L6 tool steel) a sword is created in the dystopian future designed for minimal maintenance and maximum damage potential. Furia is based on the ancient “Chokuto” Shinobi style blade but also taking some of the best practices of western sword making (i.e. a peened pommel, leather wound grip) and handles like an absolute dream (it is easily one of the FASTEST handling swords I have ever put my hands on).

Truly a limited edition run with only 20 swords to be made – the first 10 are available to pre-order now and will be hand crafted by John in his workshop over the next 5 months. Truly heirloom quality, this sword is exclusively available at SBG for $1,949.49 with FREE worldwide shipping. Plus you can use the coupon code: Furia100 to save $100 on the pre-order price..

Longship Armoury – Furia, Sword of the Apocalypse

Click here to read the full review

Click here to see it in the store and pre-order yours before it is too late..

Medieval Replica Sword Enthusiasts are in for a bit of a treat at the moment. First up, we have just restocked the RK Euro Line of Medieval Swords – models 7-9 – which are the ultra tough, beautifully heat treated cutters available in Longsword, Viking Sword and Arming Sword configurations respectively.

While we were unable to sustain the introductory price offer (this second batch was subject to a considerable price hike from the forge which we had to pass on) we were still able to bring them in $25 less than the full price we originally intended, though for how long we can operate on such low margins remains to be seen, so best to get them while you can.

Click here for more info on the model 7 Longsword

Click here for more info on the model 8 Viking Sword

Click here for more info on the model 9 Arming Sword

For those of you who prefer a more ornate, but still very functional sword, we are proud to introduce the “Herald Line” by Darksword Armory..

Unlike their standard line swords, which have been steadily rising well above the $300 price point we usually try to focus on, to keep costs down the blades and components are made in India instead of in Canada, but are assembled and mounted in a high end, wood core, leather scabbard with sword belt and suspension system – an upgrade that usually costs $105 by itself but is provided on these swords FREE.

The quality, however, is not to be overlooked – Windlass Steelcrafts have been making exceptional blades for years in India, and the forge that DSA has partnered with are equally as good – with the savings allowing these detailed replicas of actual museum swords to be made available again for less than $300 (plus shipping is FREE to Canada and the USA)..

Here are some examples of what I am talking about – a couple of pictures of the sword this medieval replica sword is based on at the Cluny Museum in Paris, France.

And here, is the battle ready replica by DSA:

Or here is a comparative picture of the Monarch sword, with the 15th century original it is based on that was auctioned in 2011 for 8000 Euros..

These swords are battle ready and designed for steel on steel use, made from high carbon EN-45 High Carbon Spring Steel which is a tough, no-nonsense manganese steel similar to 9260 Spring Steel, so can take an awful lot of abuse. A basic sharpening service is available if so desired, but these swords are recommended to be kept as blunts for sparring and display – if you want a high performance cutter, you are better served by the aforementioned RK Euro line which are ready to cut straight out of the box.

Anyway, here are the three swords in the current Herald series line up..

Click here for more info on the Frederick Sword

Click here for more info on the Marquis Longsword

Click here for more info on the Monarch Sword

Next update, some new swords for fans of Japanese styled blades – so stay tuned..! We really like to think we have something for everyone who loves the sharp and pointies..!

While they may or may not arrive in time for Christmas, the new line of Dragon King Swords has just arrived at CAS Iberia and are available to order at the SBG Sword Store with our usual low prices (these should normally sell for $499.99 each, but at the SBG Sword Store you can save $100!).

Originally scheduled for early 2016, Christmas has come early for collectors of high quality, reasonably priced swords with this exciting new line.

The Seasonal Katana Series represents an entry level katana with traditional handle construction and cotton tsuka-ito (wrap) and real same (ray skin). Designed for regular cutting, the 5160 high-carbon steel blade is through-hardened for toughness.

Click here for more information

Click here for more information

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ABOUT DRAGON KING

Master Designer Frenchie Jin

The famed artisans of Dalian have returned to show to the sword world what quality, craftsmanship and ingenuity can produce under the superlative leadership of a true avant-gardist. By the guidance of master designer, Frenchie Jin, the next generation of cutlery enthusiasts will taste the steel of the fabled golden age of swords. 

Ever the student of the arts, Frenchie Jin combined the processes of contemporary mechanical construction and modern science with the classic arts, ancient aesthetics and philosophical imagery to produce many of the legendary pieces known today. Having designed over 600 different cold weapons in his 20-year career, to say that he and his team have mastered and advanced their craft would be an understatement.

The Dragon King brand does not represent a company that just manufactures products but embodies a group of artisans who have been adeptly trained to duplicate ancient skillsets that can’t be automated by machines on an assembly line. Not every blade that is forged becomes a sword. Not every casting that is poured becomes a component of a greater piece. The goal for improvement and innovation starts every day under Frenchie’s guidance.

Not confining their talents to sword making alone, the Dragon King team plies their abilities also to the production of knives, jewelry and other high end art-crafts. And not just in steel alone, these artisans craft wood and leather among many other materials and alloys.  Our journey together has only begun, but the fruits of that labor are coming to bear.