Hanwei Naginata – On Special Until August 14th..

What do you get the Japanese sword enthusiast who has everything?

Why a Naginata of course..

naginata-offer

Made from differentially hardened tool steel with a real hamon and a saya (sheathe) that fits perfectly over the actual blade itself, the Hanwei Forge Naginata has not been available for many, many years – and while we can’t say for certain how long it will be available, we can say that it is available at the BEST PRICE EVER SEEN until August the 14th or until sold out..

Normally $860, this rare blade is available here at the SBG Sword Store for just $409.99

HISTORY OF THE NAGINATA IN A NUTSHELL

sohei1Originally believed to have been a Japanese variant of the Chinese Guan Dao, there were two variants – the O-Naginata (like the Hanwei version) and the Ko-Naginata.

The O-Naginata was used both on the battlefield by Samurai and were frequently attributed as the primary weapon of the Sohei warrior monks and the terrifying Yamabushi (mountain warriors).

The Naginata was typically used on the battlefield as an anti cavalry weapon, but the lighter, smaller ko-naginata was later adopted by female Samurai and used with deadly efficiency to protect their holdings and family when under attack.

Techniques for wielding this weapon include wide, spinning movements designed to clear the battlefield, and the extra leverage allowed for more forceful cuts than even the best katana could achieve.

Wakizashi Sale – Hanwei Forge

This month, while stocks last, we are offering HUGE discounts of 25% and over on six of Paul Chens’ Hanwei Forge premium quality Wakizashi..

Each of these swords is also available with a matching full size Katana to create your own Daisho – so if you have ever thought about owning your own premium quality

Some of these blades have to be seen to be believed – from T10 tool steel to Swedish Powder Steel, HWS-2S Steel – the savings are significant – so grab them while you can..!

Wakizashi-Special

Miyamoto Musashi – Daisho Tribute Sale with Ronin Katana

musashiThis is a special offer that has been many years in the making..

Several years ago, Ronin Katana added a traditionally hand carved bo-hi option to their Dotanuki blade line up with a tsuba that was famously designed by the legendary masterless Samurai, Miyamoto Musashi.

By itself, this was an impressive piece.

But only now, with the addition of the matching model 3 Wakizashi – has it become complete..

To celebrate this new design and ultimate tribute to the legendary Ronin warrior – from today until the 8th of August, you can buy both the model 12 Katana and the matching Wakizashi with a whopping $100 discount – AND get two free top quality silk bags (one for each sword) worth $40..

With super durable no-nonsense monotempered 1060 blades forged in the Dotanuki style, all iron fittings, silk ito and high quality, buffalo horn reinforced saya – this is the best and most affordable, Dojo quality Daisho set on the market and makes a fitting tribute to the practical philosophy of the Kensai Sword Saint himself.

Click here for more information

About Miyamoto Musashi

800px-Musashi_ts_picIf you are a sword collector, you have almost certainly heard of him. In Japan, he is famous even to this day, and is considered by many to be the most skilled and successful Samurai Warrior that ever lived – the so called “Sword Saint” Miyamoto Musashi.

But how much do you REALLY know about him? Most famously, he is renowned for winning over 60 one on one duels and was claimed to have never been defeated, to have fought in battles and come away unscathed and to show a total disregard for the feudal order and society his was born in, taking no Lord, starting no family of his own and wandering from place to place driven by a burning desire to master his sword, and in its mastery, gain the keys to enlightenment and the understanding of all things..

But here are a few more interesting facts attributed to him:

  • He rarely bathed, feeling that – as a wandering master-less Samurai with many enemies – it was too dangerous to let down his guard. As a result, he was said to have a particularly rough and wild appearance in a country where being spotlessly clean was the norm.
  • Being of the philosophy that the sword was just a tool and one should not ever get too attached to any particular sword for its weight, cutting style, length, etc – he often found himself using a simple wooden bokken against swordmasters armed with the most expensive and exquisitely designed blades. And won every time..
  • Musashi was often late to arrive for his duels, meeting them on his own schedule and greatly upsetting, and offputting, his opponents.
  • After defeating all the famous Yoshioka Samurai after winning duel after duel, he famously faced off against the last of their line, surviving an ambush of musketeers, archers and warriors by retreating through the terrain, running backwards with both swords drawn and cutting down anyone who dared to come close. This was the first time he drew both swords and was said to have taken but a single cut to his forearm – leaving dozens of men dead and dying in his wake. Here he coined the phrase: “when you sacrifice your life, you must make fullest use of your weaponry. It is false not to do so, and to die with a weapon yet undrawn.”
  • While official records suggest he was undefeated in over 60 duels, there is some evidence to suggest he may have lost just once.. His opponent, Muso Gonnosuke, who he had defeated and spared previously – trained for years with a twin stick fighting style he poineered to get his revenge, and is believed to have beaten Musashi and returned the favor of sparing his life. The weapons he developed were said to be the first “Jo” sticks..musashi-art2
  • While first and foremost a warrior, Musashi espoused that the “way” was to be found in all things and once mastered, the mastery could be applied to any endeavor. As such, he was also an accomplished calligrapher, writer and painter – and without a teacher – was able to create works that are recognized as true masterpieces (pictured right).
  • His famous work, Go Rin No Sho – a Book of Five Rings – was compiled in seclusion in a cave in the mountains and completed only a few months before his death at age 61 from what is believed to have been lung cancer. In it, he recorded his innermost thoughts on the nature of strategy, and his work is still read and its principles used both on the modern battlefield and the corporate boardroom.

All this just scratches the surface of a truly extraordinary man whose spirit was irrepressible!

His Fareal-musashitsubamous Tsuba..

Left is an image of the ACTUAL tsuba designed and hand made by the man himself..

While many who utilize this design in their swords market it as a “Double C Ring” – closer examination reveals instead it contains exactly 5 rings – and is a visual representation of his Go Rin philosophy.

See if you can trace the circles and find the hidden design.

Hanzo Steel 30% off Sale

They are black, mean and definitely not just pretty to look at.. I am talking of course about the 3 swords in the Hanzo Steel sword range – the Sword of the Apocalypse, Kill Bill Brides Sword and the Ninja Assassin Sword, on sale until the 23rd of July and while stocks last.

hanzo-sale1Hanzo steel, for those of you who do not know, are a new brand of swords produced for and owned by Ronin Katana. The swords are a shift away from their more traditional Katana and into the realm of the fantastic – though make no mistake, while they look awe inspiring, these are not decorative pieces but true backyard cutters through and through..

The Black Blade and Real Hamon, pic from a review on the SBG Custom Katana

The Black Blade and Real Hamon, pic from a review on the SBG Custom Katana

Here’s some things each sword has in common:

  • Blackened, Titanium Infused 1060 Carbon Steel Blades with Real Hamon
  • Back Mounted Saya
  • Black Rayskin (real) with black cotton ito
  • Blackened Iron Fittings

The first in their line up was the sword that launched the line, the Apocalypse Katana – a zombie slaying blade through and through which was inspired by the Walking Dead and is how Ronin, if asked, would have made Michonnes blade..

IMG_7835__32205.1453402492.1280.1280Stats at a Glance: 30″ Blade, 12″ Handle, 2lbs

The second is inspired by Kill Bill, specifically the Brides Sword, but as with the Hanzo Steel line up, is big, black and mean – and the blade has extra sori (curvature).

IMG_7827__25529.1453403787.1280.1280Stats at a Glance: 30″ Blade, 12″ Handle, 2.12lbs, aggressive 1″ sori.

And finally, there is a Bujinkan styled Ninja Sword – with its extra long handle and shortened blade allowing maximum versatility.

IMG_7846__61173.1453405007.1280.1280Stats at a Glance: 26″ Blade, 15.5″ Handle, 2.1lbs.

Normally these swords are $275 each – but from now until the 23rd of July or until sold out you can get them with a whopping 30% discount – just $200 and available with worldwide shipping!

The Cawood Viking Sword – Half Price Special Offer

The Cawood is one of Hanwei’s newest swords – a stunning and fairly accurate reproduction of a historical Viking sword dating back to the 11th century that is currently preserved in the Yorkshire museum.

The historical Cawood Sword Housed in the Yorkshire Museum

The historical Cawood Sword Housed in the Yorkshire Museum

The replica, which is a sharpened 5160 spring steel blade with leather scabbard typical of the period, is now on half price sale until the 3rd of July or until sold out – a total saving of $220 on this $440 blade.

If you love medieval and Viking period swords, you won’t want to miss out on this bargain so grab one while you can!

Click here for more info

In the meantime, here is a quick video review by CentralTexasSurvival