Category Archives: Store Product Info and Musings

Additional thoughts, information and hints for our sword lines and products, including detailed introductions of new swords as they come in, special discounts and more.

Five New Listings for Antique Japanese Swords from Blades of Japan

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While most experts agree that the starting price for a Japanese made Shisakuto (newly forged sword) or antique starts at around $7,500 and goes WAAAY up from there, there are some antiques that become available due to a lack of paperwork or a signed tang (or both) and generally fairly tired condition, that become available at a fraction of the price they would fetch if restored and had the necessary certification from the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK).

Below are FIVE such blades, listed on SBG at bargain pricing, starting with:

BoJ O-Wakizashi #001: Antique Katahiriha Pirate O-Wakizashi 504

It’s a very rare (purposefully) asymmetrical blade type known as Katahiriha-zukuri, popular with – of all things – Japanese pirates! Unfortunately, it has a hairline crack in the hamon so cannot really be restored or used safely again because of it, but if you want to own a unique piece of Japanese history it is available in Shirasaya for a crazy low price of $1,875.00 (without the crack and with the right paperwork, it could EASILY fetch five times as much – if not more!).

BoJ Daisho Set #002: Antique, Mumei Edo Period Katana and Wakizashi 531

The blades are not signed (Mumei) but this antique Daisho set, once owned by a Samurai family, still comes with the original fittings it was bedecked out with, as well as a cool little Kozuka knife that fits into a slot along the saya and through the tsuba. It could certainly do with some restorative work, but that’s why this rare Daisho set is currently on sale for just $6,250.. (sorry, cannot be sold separately).

BoJ Gunto #002: Antique Shin-Gunto 547

Most WWII Gunto swords are fairly generic – but not this blade. Made during the war, it has a unique 3 piece reinforced tsuba for the China campaign and has a full wrap rayskin saya. Truly a bargain at $2,546.87.

Boj Katana #012: Antique Mumei Katana 555

The black ito might be greying and the blade in need of a restorative polish, and who knows how much it would be worth if the smiths signature on the tang was still legible (it WAS signed, but the signature has worn off over the centuries) – but it’s certain to sell fast at the current price of $2,265.62..

Take a careful look at the pictures, read the full description and ask any questions you may have AHEAD of purchasing these swords as they are far from perfect, but priced accordingly. Please allow 1-2 weeks lead time once purchased for shipping as Japanese sword export law is very strict and requires a considerable amount of paperwork to process and cannot be returned.

2 new sub $300 medieval swords!

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It certainly is a bargain hunters paradise for sword collecting at the moment. And on top of this months recent sales, discounts and price drops – we see 2 new sub $300 medieval swords enter the fray – one from Legacy Arms and the other, Kingston Arms accordingly.

First one up is the reworked and improved (lighter overall by around 9oz and with more modern, better tempering) is their tribute to the Knights Templar Warsword – and even better, the price is down from $329.00 to a total bargain at $249.95..

New: Templar Knight Sword $249.95

And the second sword is a follow up to Kingston Arms recently released Claymore – this version in brown leather:

New: Scottish Claymore – Brown Leather $299.99

Not only does it look the part, it IS the part – with an extremely well balanced blade and very sturdy and attractive fittings for just $299.99..

More great deals than you can poke a stick (or a sword!) at – so enjoy the bargains while you still can..

New Additions

New Lower Pricing on Legacy Arms

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We have been fans of Legacy Arms since SBG started in 2005. Indeed, some of the first real swords we ever bought were from when they were named ‘Generation 2’ and we were very impressed by the overall fit and finish, blade quality and hand made toughness that this line represented.

Of course, this was back in 2005 – when they were indeed sub $300 swords and were pretty much the pinnacle of that kind of price point we specialized in. So after YEARS of pestering them for discounts and higher stock levels, the difficult sword market has finally delivered us a gem much like how a diamond forms deep underground over many, many years of building pressure..

Legacy Arms is coming back on the map with much lower pricing, which we believe will once again make this esteemed brand competitive. Just look at what is available RIGHT NOW because with this new lower pricing, many of these blades have become an absolute steal.

EXCALIBUR

The Generation 2 Flagship design and one of the first reviews on SBG way back when, this inspired by John Boormans classic 1981 movie “Excalibur” is not for the faint of heart with solid brass fittings and a tight wire wrapped handle. Previously $519 NOW just $399.95!

RIVER WITHAM VIKING SWORD

This was the blade that old school reviewer ‘ShooterMike’ Harris reviewed back in the day and compared the overall handling and fit and finish to an Albion sword.. Even at the old price of $335 it was a bargain, but now at $269.95 – well, yeah. Not many in stock so grab them while you can..

BLACK PRINCE LONGSWORD

Refined over the years, the Black Prince is a stunning example of a 14th century Type XVa Longsword with peened black pommel, leather wrapped handle with 3 risers and a black steel crossguard. Previously $329, now just $249.99 making it a total bargain in anyones language.

KNIGHTS RIDING SWORD

One of the most common sword types during the middle ages, this short out of the way medieval side arm was and still remains a highly effective method of personal self defence for well to do commoners, archers, knights and even lords and ladies.. Previously a great buy at $269 – now we are more or less giving them away at $199.95

CELTIC ANTHROPOMORPHIC

This sword was a lot of fun back in the day. Originally in brass, they changed the fittings to solid steel to keep the price down. But now the price has totally plummeted, down from $269 to just $199.95!

ROMAN GLADIUS

Ah, I still remember the surprise when I used one of these to sever a dried piece of bamboo thicker than my forearm with one clean cut.. Not bad for a thrusting sword with some serious punch. Only a handful in stock though, and will be cleaned out with the price drop down from $255 to – yup, $199.95.. (wow).

RANGER DAGGER

While the matching Ranger Sword may not be in stock for a while, this fully functional fantasy dagger is available and priced to clear – from $159 to $119.95.

While stock levels are not that high right now and a change to a new supplier who can keep up with the demand these new prices are certain to stimulate, there has never been a better time to grab some of these truly iconic blades at unprecendented low prices..

Have at it folks!

Legacy Arms at SBG

New Swords from Dragon King and APOC!

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With all the supply chain chaos from the last few years, new swords were few and far between as most suppliers struggled with just restocking their existing models. So it’s always great news to see some new swords hit the market – and the new models by Dragon King and APOC are very newsworthy indeed..!

NEW: The Modern Katana and Modern Tanto

I have often thought that many of the traditional ways of making a Katana are quite archaic – and any inherent flaws or weakness in the design, such as the fact that the handle of a traditional Katana is more or less friction fit with two slabs of wood bound by cotton and held together with a single peg of bamboo.

This design works great when lovingly made by a master craftsman, but for entry level swords is more often than not a recipe for disaster – but it is solved with the modern Katana.

With a traditional differentially hardened blade and fully encapsulated G10 irremovable handle – it is finally possible to get an affordable blade that will NEVER be let down by its fittings, and is further complimented with features such as paracord instead of sageo on the sheathe (as most modern people don’t wear the traditional hakama dress of the samurai).

MSRP on this baby is $399.99 – but just $287.95 at the SBG sword Store making it one of the most (if not THE most) solidly made sub $300 Katana ever seen – and a backyard cutters dream..

It is complimented by an equally cool, and equally sturdy, Modern Tanto

Made using the same construction methods and materials as the Modern Katana, combine both together to create a true 21st century Daisho set and is an absolute steal at $199.99 at the SBG Sword Store:

Modern Katana
Modern Tanto

Speaking of Tanto, If you prefer spring steel rather than traditional blades, the latest addition to the Gus Trim designed APOC line up will be right up your ally.

APOC Survival Tanto

It’s sleek, modern and crazy tough – and honestly, we are convinced this one is going to be a hot seller for the APOC series. Especially at its price – $139 – but down to just $109.99 at SBG:

APOC Survival Tanto

APOC Sirupate Kukri

And for those of you who love truly utilitarian blades with a nice leaf blade profile, the Sirupate (which means thin leaf) is the opposite of your standard rather axe like meaty Kukri, and instead is extremely fast and aggressive in the hand. MSRP is $175 but we have it marked down to just $139 at the store:

APOC Sirupate Kukri

APOC Tactical Jian

It is a long time coming – after all, the APOC series has a Tactical Katana, Wakizashi, Gladius, Longsword, Broadsword, Cutlass and even a set of Butterfly swords. But finally it now has a very lightweight (2lbs) and well balanced (3″ POB) Chinese Jian to, as they put it “Find peace and balance amidst the chaos through the steel..”

MSRP is $219 but it is down to just $175.95 at the SBG Sword Store:

APOC Tactical Jian

New RK Entry Line from Ronin Katana and Special Pricing All May 2023

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With the sword industry struggling to find its feet in the sinking global economy seemingly heading into recession, our friends at Ronin Katana have come through with the perfect product line at the perfect time.

And the deal gets even better because we have negotiated exclusive special pricing on these affordable, entry level traditional blades – not $165, not even $149 – but just $139.99 until the end of May on these sturdy, great handling and well made 1045 clay tempered, differentially hardened Katana with natural hamon.

If you are not familiar with this line, YouTuber Matthew Jensen has a long and extensive testing video where he takes close look and then tests on of the swords from the original series to destruction. And as you will see, it actually does a lot better than you would expect for a blade at this price point, even putting much more expensive blades to shame by comparison..

These new models not only have attractive and unique blades (as being hand clayed, each one is distinct like a fingerprint) but also very cool looking fitting sets. So without any further ado, here they are – the 10 models on special this month.

Click on the image for the full lowdown:

While these swords cover the entry level perfectly, there’s also a bit of a treat for those who are looking for premium quality..

We have taken stock of not one but 10pcs of model #2 of the Elite Soshu Kitae blades from Ronin – a cool brown ito over black rayskin, Tiger themed sword similar to the classic SBG ‘Torakami’ from way back when..

Check these and more out in the HOT SPECIALS section of the store:

HOT SPECIALS