Launched only yesterday, we already sold out of the 5 ELITE versions with Choji Hamon (more are on the way ealy next year) but the good news is we just got stock of the BO-HI version of the full basic custom option sword..
The main difference between the two models currently on offer is the Custom Tsuba and Saya Option model has a black ito handle wrap as standard, is $20 less and has slightly fewer saya options (only those that best match black ito handles). The FULL custom katana as it stands has the same blade, but more saya options and your choice of 8 tsuka colors too for just $20 more, so which one you choose depends on what look you are going for.
If you want a traditional black ito style sword and are focusing more on the tsuba you like, the Custom Tsuba and Saya Option is for you:
If on the other hand you want to change out everything and want blue, red, white, gold, purple, green or brown ito and a matching saya style to go with it, well the standard Ryujin Custom Katana is the one you will need to get:
We will have the solid bodied versions coming in late December and a restock of the Choji hamon ELITE katana early next year, so in the meantime – if you have no idea what all the fuss is about, you will probably want to read our latest site review on SBG here.
Just in time for Christmas, two container loads of new Hanwei stock has arrived and restocked some old classics across the board – plus introducing Hanwei’s newest blade for Zombie Slaying, the Hanwei High Performance Survival Kukri..
The restock is extensive, many blades that have not been available all this year are back – and much to my personal delight, so are two classic razor sharp cutting Dao including one of my favorite swords of all time, the Practical Gongfu Broadsword..!
Just a quick note that the Cheness Cutlery warehouse will be closed from the 31st of July to the 8th of September 2015 as they will be visiting suppliers and service providers in Asia.
During this period there will be no shipping of any Cheness Cutlery products, so we STRONGLY suggest that if you have your eye on a particular sword of theirs you order now to avoid disappointment.
The last day to order before the shutdown is midnight the 29th of July, 2015, Eastern US time..
I sometimes wonder, what would swords look like in the 21st century if they continued to evolve as valid battlefield weapons?
To some degree, the humble Machete is the result of the evolution of swords and continues to see use in many conflicts across the world, from Africa, Latin America and anywhere else where hand to hand combat still plays a signficant factor in warfare.
But throughout history, and especially in Europe, the sword evolved and changed many times, from the Gladius to the Spatha, Viking single handed swords, arming sword, longswords, estoc, rapiers and finally sabers..
But, except for WWII with the Japanese Gunto, the sword pretty much stopped being widely carried on the battlefield with the 1917 saber and became mostly a dress weapon..
But what would have happened if it had not stopped there? What would the sword look like?
ENTER COLD STEEL
Love them or hate them, their is little doubt that Cold Steel is an innovative company. Not only do they produce a very wide assortment of swords of almost every major type ever used throughout history, but recently they started their own drive to “evolve” the sword – taking the best of history and combining it with modern technology to produce the next generation of swords.
It started in 2010 with their “Katana Machete”..
And continued with their highly effective re-invention of the Gladius, the aptly named Gladius Machete, which we have just added to the store (the Katana Machete has been available at our store for a while now, click here if you are interested).
But now in 2015, it continues with 3 new “evolved” swords as below.
CHINESE WAR SWORD MACHETE
Related to the two Machete above, the new Cold Steel Chinese War Sword Machete is a variation of the Chinese Daodao, or great sword.
This sword was made infamous by its use dutring the Chinese boxer rebellion circa 1899-1901 and was used again against the Japanese in the Sino-Japanese war and proved to be extremely effective in those comparitively recent times.
Training with the Dadao
Newly released in 2015, the Cold Steel Chinese War Sword Machete takes this highly effective, devestatingly powerful blade and combines it with ultra modern polypropelyne, Cor-ex and plasma cutting techniques to bring it firmly into the 21st century – and at an extremely affordable price point..
Now as mentioned, the Saber was the culmination of Western swords – and pretty much ceased to be a weapon of war in 1917 during WWI. But as Sabers have a special fascination for Cold Steel President Lynn Thompson, it should come as no surprise that he might one day decide to design his very own Saber, and this is the result..
Bringing the Saber into the 21st Century – the Thompson Saber by Cold Steel
Here is what Lynn had to say about it – in his own words:
“I wanted to make a battle sword. Not a dueling sword as such, but a true sword fighter’s sword for the modern martial artist. I believe that the edge is superior to the point when facing multiple opponents. You have more opportunities to defend, counter, riposte and move without becoming transfixed on an opponent for a vital second – therefore, while it does thrust well, the Thompson Saber is a cutting tool first and foremost, on foot or on horseback.
Its ground to my exact specifications; hair shaving sharp for the first six inches from the point, then gradually less sharp down through the rest of the blade, leaving enough material to block, parry and even bludgeon an opponent’s blade. It’s deeply blued to aid in rust resistance, but also to make the blade harder to see in the fast paced cut and thrust of combat.
It has a modified 1904 Saber guard, offering amazing hand protection and a sizeable ray skin wrapped handle that will accommodate even big modern fencer’s gloves.
I designed this sword to be able to make deep cuts even with a flick of the wrist, and it makes monstrous cuts when “drawn” through the target. If you study bladed arts and appreciate the combative potential of the sword, I’m sure you’ll love this saber!”
And finally, a zombie hunters dream – the Chaos Khukri..
The Khukri (or Khukuri, Kukkri, Kukri depending on how you wish to spell it) was made famous by the Nepalese Gorkha and is to this day a much respected, fearsome sidearm with tremendous chopping power as 40 bandits reportedly discovered for themselves as recently as 2010 when a lone, retired Indian Ghurka soldier named Bishnu Shrestha was claimed to have killed 3 of them, wounded 8 more and caused the rest to flee!
Whether or not this story is true, there is little doubting the basic designs effectiveness. And Cold Steel have brought it screaming into the 21st century by adding a comtemporary, heavy duty steel knuckle duster style trench knife guard to it that is an effective weapon in its own right..!
Definitely ultra modern looking and easy to carry, this would have to be a perfect choice for when the zombie apocalypse hits..!
Whichever way you look at it, these new designs are most certainly interesting and we are proud to offer you another option to the SBG sword store, bringing them to you at heavily discounted prices.
Probably the best close range solution in the face of a zombie apocalypse is a machete. No reloading required, it’s extremely durable and requires no special training or a large amount of room to use effectively.
Of course, some Machete’s are better suited to the task than others. And naturally, you will want a back up or two, and maybe a smaller knife to use in the other hand in case they get too close and you need to inflict serious damage when you don’t even have room to swing a machete.
Well, Cold Steel has a selection of Machete that are PERFECT for zombie slaying. So at SBG we put together the ultimate zombie hunting kit – two of their most suitable zombie busting blades with heavy, forward balanced cutting action to deliver maximum impact, both in sheathes for easy carry – a “daily” use machete you can keep at hand for day to day tasks (which you can throw before drawing your machete of choice, keeping one in reserve in its sheathe as back up) – and a cool claw like “Karambit” knife for when they get in close. All bundled together for one low price with FREE SHIPPING in the USA..
Let’s take a quick look at what you get in the kit:
KOPIS MACHETE
The Kopis is an ancient Greek design, and Cold Steel brings this serious cutter into the 21st century with a tactical rendition designed to inflict maximum zombie carnage.
This would be my first choice for a zombie ready side arm, and comes complete with a sheathe for easy carry. Check out some (appropriately grumsome) testing of this dedicated cutter in the video below to see graphically what I mean..
ROYAL KUKRI
The Kukri is extremely similar to the Kopis and is my second choice for zombie hunting. Personal preference may make it your first, but like the Kopis it comes with a sheathe so can be dual weilded, kept as a backup or given to a fellow zombie apocalypse survivor..
Again, its sturdy with a design where very little can go wrong. Which is exactly the kind of sword you want in the middle of a zombie apocalypse..
BOLO MACHETE
So far the retail price on both Kopis and Khurki works out to be $89.98, so from here on out everything else you get in this package costs you an extra cent! (plus shipping is free)..
But don’t let the price fool you – the Bolo is another forward heavy cutter that may not be in quite the same league as the previous two blades (MSRP $18.99 compared to $47.99 and $41.99 respectively) but it makes for a great “everyday” use chopper, and can certainly do some serious damage in a pinch..
KARAMBIT
Finally, a good knife to keep close in case the zombies get too close for comfort, the Karambit knife is akin to a claw that can be used in a pinch to cut off undead fingers, pluck out eyes, hamstring and otherwise give you enough room to do some damage with your primary zombie slaying sword.
Easy to use and small enough to slip into a pocket, the video below is of its steel cousin. This particular blade is from Cold Steel’s Nightshade serious and is actually made from “Grivory” which is, in their own words:
the latest in fiberglass reinforced plastic, and stronger than even the super tough Zytel® we have used in earlier models— they are UV and heat stabilized, making them impervious to the elements.
Anyway, here are some ideas on how it can be used..
Normally $15.99, it is included free in the SBG Cold Steel Zombie Hunters Kit.
So there you have it! 4 of the best, most useful Zombie hunting blades in a value pack with FREE SHIPPING!
Don’t wait until the zombie apocalypse is here to get yours..
Click here for more info
You can find this and several other suitable Zombie swords (even the official Michonne’s sword from the walking dead) for sale at heavily discounted prices in the HOT SPECIALS section of our SBG sword store. Some are limited time only offers, others are limited by stock – so check them out while they are still available.
The Kopis is an ancient Greek design, and Cold Steel brings this serious cutter into the 21st century with a tactical rendition designed to inflict maximum zombie carnage.
