It’s no secret that the sword industry, like many niche industries (and much larger ones too) is struggling right now. I used to report on it in the Sword Buyers Digest but it got too depressing and I did not think it was actually really helping – and the last thing I wanted to do was make it worse..
Anyway, recently you have already seen quite a few casualties. Forge Direct and Project X are about 1/3rd the size they were back in the day, closeouts on new items introduced only a few months ago – and not to freak you out, but it’s likely to get a whole lot worse..
Respected high quality sword making company Kingdom of Arms, made by BCI in the Philippines for Clyde Hollis is sadly forced to reduce his line away from the more exotic blades to more generic sellers as they can’t afford to tie up the money into stock that only appeals to a certain few people (but when it DOES appeal, it’s the sword that they have been searching for)..
These aren’t cheap, but they are made by proud Filipino craftsmen who are finding it increasingly difficult to continue their business, and no doubt in a few years time, these will all be as rare as hens teeth.
It’s been on sale once or twice before, and always proved a popular seller to discerning collectors. Far from boring and made with a stunningly detailed and polished T10 differentially hardened blade with bo-hi, best of breed fittings and everything you would expect from a $949 MSRP blade.
But when you can pick it up for $537 until the end of the month, smart collectors know it’s worth a SERIOUS look..
Well, September 7th came and went and as promised we have deleted the Project X Choji Line, wished the four beasts Jian on its way – and we were supposed to do with one more model too.. But I just could not find the heart and managed to negotiate a pretty sweet deal…
But that’s not the heart of what this post is about and I will circle back to that. Because what I am talking about started in February this year: you might recall to Celebrate the year of the Dragon we pulled out all the tops and made a stunning Forge Direct Limited 10 piece collection called the “KuryuKen” with the Master Smiths at Forge Direct.
The Original Forge Direct Red Dragon “Kuryuken” Design
With many limited features not available on the normal custom line and priced so low that we might as well as closed up shop and gave them away – they sold out pretty darned quick (can’t remember just how fast it was, but it wasn’t much longer than 48 hours for 9 of 10 to sell and the last one, about a week later).
At the same time of this release, we also promised that while it would be the the first Forge Direct Limited Edition Model, it would not be the last. And so here it is, the second Dragon Sword in the series, after months in the making – and likely the last year model for the year!
INTRODUCING:
The NEW Limited Edition Black Dragon Orouboros Katana
As usual with these limited edition designs, there is a lot to take in and not a whole lot of time to think about it before they are sold out and gone for good. So here’s the basics:
Because of our special status with the forge, these limited edition designs get a lot of unique features that the usual custom line don’t have access too, but if we priced it out it would come to around $989 or so (stupidly low, it really should be well over $1200 but at SBG we try to keep margins as low as humanly possible) but the 10 pcs that are available are even discounted, and available at $899.99 with FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING.
But that is how our line will be, (I hope at least) cool designs with unique features and the best possible pricing for 10 like minded individuals out there:
Couple of Post Scripts Before I forget in my old age..!
P.S. Before I forget in my old age, while we quietly archived some Forge Direct and Project X swords not all that long ago, there was one that I just could nor bring myself too, especially after the forge saw it got a few last minute sales, sparking their interest in its potential..
I am talking about the ‘Sword of Heavens’ because it was a kind of demo sword from the forge to show what they could do and it’s so good we are willing to sell it even it it just breaks even because, well, it’s just so cool for $650
I don’t know how long either of these designs will be around for, so if you snooze on these, you definitely lose..
And before this post turns into “War and Peace” – there was one final (and rather large) mistake we made pricing the New Dragon Dao.. Several major charges were left off our pricing, meaning that the current price of $999 was way to cheap and it needs to go to $1,299.99 to cover our costs and make a small profit, while at $999 – well that’s a sure fire way to go out of business.
We agreed to hold the price until the 12th of September, so there’s an untended bargain for you! Sorry about that, we are usually really careful when it comes to pricing as our margins are as low as possible, so this is definitely embarrassing and once again costly at a time when we need to up our sales. But it is what it is, so until the 12th grab it at the grandfathered price before it gets back closer to what it is actually worth…
P.P.S. Don’t get distracted too much by the other details, the Black Orouboros is where it is at – but at that quality and that price, I’d be surprised if it was there for much longer..
We have a tried a LOT of unique traditional Chinese sword designs over the years. But it would seem that as the industry has slowed down and lost momentum for high end Chinese swords (and honestly, who can blame them, some of the entry level stuff is pretty darned good!) – the time has come to more or less settle on the designs that will define the brand.
So quietly over the last few weeks and months, we have been re-organizing Forge Direct Chinese – bringing back two new blades, and getting rid of almost all the others until we have the best of the best, those blades that customers send us in glowing reviews time after time.
‘Swords’ such as the ‘Boar Killing Spear’ (technically a short hafted blade with extra long handle):
BOAR KILLING SPEAR IS BACK
And then at the Elite end, the complex Windsteel laminated folded blade and stunning fittings of the Monkey King sword (and with this one, if you need to ask how much it is, then you can’t afford it):
RETURN OF THE MONKEY KING
And then, one final hurrah on two swords before they go before the end of the month – the NEW Four Beasts Jian and the Dragon Tiger Jian. Maybe it was the economy, maybe people just didn’t like them – but they are on crazy discount pricing over on the HOT SPECIALS section until the end of the month, after which they join the sword graveyard in the sky..
And if that was not enough, at the end of the month we are also discontinuing our Project X Elite high polish Choji Katana and it will be sold off at Forge Direct levels until the end of the month.
It’s pretty crazy how the sword industry often doesn’t actually buy what it says it really wants – but either way, they aren’t many of these in the world so if you want a truly unique blade before its too late in a few days time, you had better put that custom order together quick quick..
And FINALLY (told you there was a lot of Forge Direct and Project X news going on right now) – we are proud to announce what might well be the last addition to the Forge Direct family.. The Dragon Dao Mk II!
Unlike the limited edition of 20pcs (that ran for around $1800 or so) – the simplified but hardly ‘stripped back’ version of the Dragon Dao is available all year long, looks as mean as hell and one cut and you will be hooked for life..
Check it out and the entire brand new and we hope more permanent, stable line up over at Forge Direct today:
The Winter Sun is a long bladed (30.5″ bladed) monotempered 5160 Spring Steel blade designed for practicality and long term durability in mind. Few 5160 monotemepered blades are just plain tough and forgiving as the Winter Sun, and it’s the kind of sword that has so much power behind it, it will plain old split your cutting stand in half and just wait for the next target..
It’s not just some bare bones tactical piece, the Winter Sun has class and style, with real iron and silver fittings, and if you buy it before the end of the month this blade that we normally squeeze our margins for to $349 is just $249.99 – lowest price it has EVER been. But only if you get it before the end of the month..
