Batch 40 Extended – last chance before batch shutdown for catch up..

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As you may have noticed from the Custom Katana Batch Status Page we are running behind on the scheduled delivery of Batch 37 and, by default, also batch 38 by around 3 weeks. This is due to both the nature of custom sword orders and some extra quality control measures we have taken to ensure we maintain the highest possible standard for this SBG flagship product line.

To ensure we do not get too far behind, after batch 40 closes we will be PAUSING taking any new orders until the backlog is under control as a courtesy to our customers who are waiting and to ensure we keep control of the backlog. As such, batch 40, which should not likely be actually effected by the delay – will be extended until midnight Friday the 24th of June.

We thank everyone for their patience – the SBG custom katana is not the fastest turnaround custom sword we have, but the level of quality control we apply to it is unheard of in the industry, especially at this relatively low price point and our customers always tell us they are worth the extra wait.. But we also understand how it feels to be waiting around for it, so we will do our best to minimize the delay while still ensuring you get the very best sword possible.

We will endeavor to keep you updated and plan to send out an email update to batch 37 and 38 customers soon.

In the meantime, if you wish to place an order before the temporary order pause (which will last until we have batch 37 out the door and batch 38 in hand and under control) – with this one week extension, now is your chance.

Thanks all,

– Paul Southren

Coming Soon – Gus Trim Joins Kingston Arms!

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Angus “Gus” Trim from Atrim fame is a name that needs no introduction in the world of medieval swords. His swords have been uniformly praised for their sturdiness, craftsmanship and authentic handling and cutting ability – but for years have been almost impossible to source and out of production..

But at the Blade Show 2016, Cas Iberia – the official distributor for Kingston Arms – unveiled their latest collaboration with Gus Trim and showed off a prototype of his competition cutting Longsword as well as some Gus Trim designed Atrim swords to be produced by the Dragon King Forge under the Kingston Arms banner..

Here is a video from the show introducing the prototypes (including some sneak previews of other swords coming down the line)..

And here is the Competition Cutter coming down the line.

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Angus (Gus) Trim has partnered with us to make a longsword designed specifically for HEMA longsword cutting practice.

Across the globe practitioners of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) are participating in taking their training regimen to the next level, incorporating cutting practice and competition into their routines. Similar to the test cutting practice used in Japanese Martial Arts (Tameshigiri), cutting using medieval style longswords validates the techniques learned through sparring as effective martial techniques.

However this sword is far from being a one trick pony, perfectly acceptable as a typical cruciform style longsword (well, as typical as you could call any sword made by Gus). Gus has simply taken those historical parameters and put together a sword he feels incorporates elements geared to making it an exceptional cutting sword. The blade geometry is hexagonal with a complex distal taper for rigidity in the cut. The edge is a well tuned appleseed geometry, providing enough steel behind the edge for durability while allowing for smooth cutting of softer targets. Most anyone can touch up the edge using a leather strop and a steady hand.

Individually made by Gus himself, these swords will be available in limited quantities. 

Overall: 47 1/4″
Blade Length: 36″
Handle Length: 9″
Weight: 2lb 13oz
Point of Balance: 5″
Blade Steel: 5160

Keep your eye out for them, this new collaboration looks exciting and it will be great to see some of Gus’s swords and designs available on the market again.

Project X Japanese – Pics and Update

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The most recent swords from Project X have all been completed and are currently being carefully packed and prepared for an airfreight shipment from the forge. It should be another couple of weeks before they arrive, clear customs and are inspected and shipped out to customers who were lucky enough to secure a pre-order, then once everyone is happy we will list each of these stunning swords for sale direct from stock – though as the amount of swords we have is extremely limited, you had best sign up to the Project X newsletter to be notified if you have not pre-ordered and want to secure one for yourself.

In the meantime, here are some pics of the completed Katana (click the thumbnails for hi resolution pics)

Model 004 – the Shin Gunto

Model 005 – the O-Katana

Model 006 – the Dragon

To be notified when they come into stock and sign up for our Project X newsletter click here

Note – Project X Chinese, the Dragon Dao is being shipped directly from Master Smith Micheal Jie, tracking numbers should be supplied to everyone who pre-ordered VERY soon.

 

SBG Black Dragon Forge – Scratch and Dent Sale!

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A few months ago we had a shipment of the official SBG Black Dragon Forge swords arrived, but our inspection team found a small problem..

For some reason, there was a bit of looseness with the handles – nothing major, but as our levels of QC on these swords and the SBG custom katana – both made at the same forge – we simply could not accept it.

After extensive negotiations with the forge we have repaired all the swords by permanently attaching the tsuka to do away with the wiggle once and for all. The only downside is that the swords cannot be disassembled – however if you are happy with the designs – you won’t need to as they are about as solid now as any sword could ever be..

But the upside (at least for you guys) is that we have discounted them by an average of $100 off the standard sale price!

Grab them while you can, the forge is taking extra steps to ensure this will never happen again – so this deal will NOT be repeated and they are only available at these prices while stocks, which were extremely limited to begin with, last..

Click here for more info

Hanwei Hot Specials – Save Hundreds!

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May-hotspecials2016-2From today until the 5th of June we have three of Hanwei’s Best discounted to below wholesale prices.

The first sword is the stunning Lion Dog Katana, made from Hanwei’s own answer to the ultimate katana steel, their proprietary HWS-1S Steel Alloy with one of the most attractive natural hamons ever seen on a production blade:

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The Stunning Hamon of Hanwei’s HWS-1S Steel Blades

As nice as the hamon is the savings you can get if you are quick – down from a MSRP of $1,400 – down from our normally heavily discounted price of $929.99 to a ridiculously low $679.99..

The second sword is the classic Wind and Thunder Katana, a true power cutter down from $990 to just $499.99! And finally, for fans of medieval swords, the ultra durable – big and beefy – River Witham sword – down from $290 to a true bargain basement price of just $159.50..

All of this swords are brand new, best quality blades – not factory seconds or blemished swords – and the only reason why they are selling at such low prices is because Hanwei needs to rotate their stock on a regular basis – and these three excellent swords all just happened to become available at the same time.. But these bargains never last long, so if one of them interests you – you need to act fast..

Click here to see all the specials