Category Archives: Extra Product Info

In tough economic times like these, you really do want your dollar to stretch as far as humanly possible – and since their release a few years ago, there was a sword model by Ryujin that I felt would be extremely popular at times like these – and that was the original Ryujin ‘Hatamoto’ Katana.

THE ORIGINAL HATAMOTO KATANA

This $150 sword with its very traditional ‘Hatamoto’ style iron fittings and differenttially hardenened 1060 carbon steel blade was a popular seller, but was priced too low to be sustainable and despite numerous requests to bring it back, it has remained in production limbo ever since..

But from its winning concept and design comes the next generation of Hatamoto Katana – with the Hatamoto II Cutting Katana and Training Iaito (steel blunt).

Unlike the original Hatamoto, the Hatamoto II has a spring tempered blade forged from hard wearing 65mn spring steel and is available in both sharpened and iaito configuration, allowing you to train or spar relatively safely with an unsharpened blade that weighs and handles almost identically as your cutting sword, ensuring the way you practice and actually use the sword for real is exactly the same.

And while both blades are monotempered to leverage the durability and strength of modern steels, they are adorned with an attractive and subtle cosmetic hamon that is so well executed it looks like the real thing.

Like the original Hatamoto sword, the Hatamoto II series decks the blades out on both models with best of breed fittings – with real rayskin, iron tsuba, iron fuchigashira and rayon ito wrap and sageo – and is available for $150 for the cutting sword and $130 for the Iaito – making a complete training package for form work and frequent (and even abusive) cutting priced so that nearly anyone can afford it.

So if you are in the market for some real workhorse blades at bargain prices – the Hatamoto Series is for YOU!

Check them out below for all the details, pics and specs:

Hatamoto II – Cutting Katana ($149.99)

Hatamoto II – Training Iaito ($129.99)

Over the years, Missouri based budget friendly blade maker Chris Palmer has continued to expand his rage of available sword models – and today we see another 2 blades join the line up, bringing the total number of available swords and large knives in his repertoire to 34 different models.

The first new addition to his blade family is a short but deadly replica of a Roman Legionaries Gladius that packs one heck of a punch..

As is often the case with modern replicas, if the Romans actually had a sword made from this quality steel and tempered like Scorpion Swords do, their Empire might have expanded even quicker than it did – as this modern recreation would literally chew up and destroy any contemporary sword that dared to stand against it..

As always, it is a quite the bargain at just $249.99..

And the next one is a the SECOND variation of a VERY utilitarian blade design, the Dark Filipino Ginunting (click here for the original version).

The name itself effectively translates to ‘Scissor blade’ as they are reminiscent of one half of a pair of particularly savage looking scissors, and as you might suspect, they are optimized for deadly shearing cuts and quick, deep flicking hacks. So much so that these blades are a principal sidearm of the Filipino Marine Corp, making them the only military in the world widely that still arms itself with swords (and boy, do they know how to actually USE them!)..

And again, it is bargain priced at just $259.99..

Check out the full Scorpion Swords line up below, if you haven’t taken a good look before you are in a for a treat..

Kingston Arms continues to expand their range of affordable, yet very well made European swords with an example of a Scottish one handed arming sword and a “Hanger” sword replica from the Revolutionary War..

The first of the two, the Scottish Arming Sword, is based on a classic 15th century design and is set apart from other arming swords of the era by the lobed quillons and short langet that made this sword distinctively and instantly recognized as Scottish.

Great value at $285, but a steal at $224.99 right here at SBG.

The second blade is a faithful fully functional replica of a typical sword that was in frequent use during the American Revolutionary War of April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783 and was called a ‘Hanger’ because these types of hunting swords, used for both fighting and woodland survival tasks, hung from the belt at the ready.

This replica is fast, keen edged and lightweight at only 1lb 14oz – with great value at $389, but truly awesome bang for the buck at the SBG price of just $274.99.

Additionally, the Legacy Arms line continues to refresh itself with the latest version of their classic Irish Dagger, matching blade to the Irish Sword, hitting the shelves at a very reasonable $155 (even MORE reasonable $124.95 at the SBG Sword Store).

And at the same time these blades have landed, we also have a large restock of swords from Dragon King, Kinsgton Arms and the Hanwei Forge. Here are some of the notable restocks..

Just Restocked..

The Albrecht II by Hanwei, an imposing beast of a thing and still sub $300 at $297.95.

Tinker Pearce Longsword – these NEVER stay in stock for long and there are less than a dozen available, so le the feeding frenzy begin at just $249.99 for one of the best made, best balanced swords on the market full stop!

The Tinker 9th Century Viking sword is another amazing blade for pennies on the dollar in terms of what you actually receive. Total bargain at $269.99.

The Banshee is one of those swords that if you haven’t already got it, you REALLY don’t know what you are missing out on. A steal at $229.99

The Dark Sentinel is another one of those fantasy blades that kicks ass in the real world. Still under-priced and crazy good value at (wait for it) just $149.95..

And for the lover of medieval swords who thinks they have seen everything, the infamous ‘clear the pike line’ of the German Landsknecht ‘catskinner’ sword guaranteed to put a smile on your face with its handling and impressive striking power for just shy of $300 at $299.99