Forge Direct Wakizashi Back on the Table!

It has been nearly 3 years since we were able to last offer the acclaimed Forge Direct Custom Wakizashi/Ko Katana to compliment the matching Forge Direct Custom Katana – with supply chain issues coming to a head for us in June 2020 and taking 2 years and 10 months to retool and get us back into the game..

But back we are – so without any further ado, some great news for lovers of the shorter Japanese styled blades and fans of premium quality custom Daisho Sets (the two swords that were the badge of honor and representative the station of the Samurai, the Katana and the Wakizashi).

FORGE DIRECT CUSTOM WAKIZASHI/KO KATANA

The only caveat we would add is that there are some delays still associated with Forge Direct Optional Extras – Premium Matching Tsuba and Fitting Sets which are one of the few components the forge does not make in house and with quite a few different available options, can be hard to predict which ones are readily available and how long they might take to produce. But as a general rule of thumb, ordering without this option will likely see your order come in slightly earlier than the 6-8 weeks stated and ordering with could add up to an additional 8 weeks..

So only choose this option if it is a must have addition and you aren’t too concerned about delays and lead time.

Otherwise, time to start designing your own Custom Wakizashi or two handed grip Ko Katana!

Introducing: the Grey Wolf Katana

As this month draws to a close we are delighted to introduce several brand new additions to the ever expanding line up of Katana from our friends at Ryujin Swords – starting with one of the best balanced and fastest Katana they have made to date, the Grey Wolf Katana:

With the type of differentially hardened T10 tool steel blade that forms the backbone of Ryujin’s best sword offerings – the Greywolf is no exception. Weighing only 2lbs with a point of a balance just 4.25″ from the tsuba it is the fastest and lightest sword they have made to date, and features a solid iron wolf themed tsuba with matching black colored brass fuchigashira.

And even though price rises continue to ravage the industry, we are squeezing our margins as hard as we can one last time to offer it at the introductory special price of just $249.99

But that’s not all!

FOUR ADDITIONAL NEW MODELS!

Not one but FOUR new swords to the line up – the first a differentially hardened 65mn Spring Steel Katana with enhanced hamon and solid brass tsunami themed fittings called the ‘Choji Tsunami’ Katana:

Quite a bargain at just $199.99

And then 3 new swords to the fully functional but highly ornate line known as the ‘Art Sword’ line. First up, the Dramatic ‘Akazamurai’ a bright crimson themed sword with monotempered 65mn spring steel blade with a truly unique blade color and pattern:

Pretty awesome looking – but even better is the price. Just $149.99!

Then there is the Ninjato from the future – another 65mn Spring Steel blade, but unlike most Ninjato/Ninto is Katana rather than Wakizashi length. Introducing the ShiShi Ninto Art Sword:

And again, it is a bargain at just $149.99

And finally, something TRULY unique and priced to be a very hot seller as the year warms up – the differentialy hardened T10 Tool Steel Katana the Golden Bamboo..

Notice anything different about the blade?

Take a closer look at the gorgeous golden anodized hamon highlighting the real hamon that lies beneath for the most dramatic hamon temper line to date!

This is one sword that is sure to flash in the sunlight – and at just $179.99 goes to show you that even in these trying times, Ryujin and SBG are still doing their very best to bring you the best deals humanly possible:

If you are a fan of affordable and attractive Japanese style swords, I am certain you will find something of interest. Check out the full Ryujin Line up below:

In Case of Apocalypse Break Glass..

At SBG we generally like to steer clear of the two ‘hot button topics’ of politics and religion, but boy oh boy are these come crazy times.. And if the you know what really does hit the fan, you will be glad you have one of the following items in your ‘bug out’ bag..

Now these 4 blades are so new, they don’t even have a brand assigned to them yet (and if we get our worst case scenario, it wont matter much anyway) but were brought to market by our friends behind Ryujin Swords, S-tec and Defcon knife brands so you know they are going to be great bang for the buck.

So first up, why not do the Apocalypse in Classic American style with the evolutionary descendant of cavalry swords that you can almost fit in your pocket, the Classic Bowie Knife with white hard wearing modern Polyoxymethylene handle, brass fittings and leather sheathe for $99.99:

Like with all the ‘big knives/very short swords’ in this new line up, we make an exception to our general rule of thumb against stainless steel because while it is not a good idea for true sword length blades, anything under or around 12″ gets all of the benefits of stainless with few if any of the drawbacks and are of course, very low maintenance (the only thing you have to take care of with these blades is the leather and any colored metal like brass).

Continuing on our theme of easy to carry out of the way blades that almost pack the same kind of punch as much larger full length sword (but without the reach of course) is a 2pc Kukri Machete set for just $64.99:

The main blade is no lightweight, weighing in at a substantial 1.8lbs but balanced towards the meaty chopping tip for true Kukri cutting power. And it also comes with a nifty little 3.25″ bladed mini kukri with its own place in the stitched and riveted custom leather scabbard.

And finally, two variations on a Tactical Kukri Machete – the Havildar (a rank in the Nepalese army equivalent to a Sargent) with a very aggressive looking axe like blade and modern ABS ergonomic handle design, both available for just $64.99 each:

Check these out and many other stocked knives and short bladed swords in the Knives Daggers and Tantos section of our store below:

Here’s to having something but not needing it!!

6 New Blades from Paul Chen’s Hanwei Forge

Paul Chen’s Hanwei Forge has been fairly quiet in terms of new releases – but all that changed a few days ago..

Unfortunately, one of the swords really has come out at the worst possible time – so let’s get this one out of the way first..

The timing really could not be much more worse than this – just as Hanwei launch their tribute to the Russian Imperial Army, Russia launches a war against the Ukraine.. So really, the less said the better I think..

Here it is – a fine sword in its own right..

But it has definitely been released at the worst possible time (no fault of Hanwei’s – like the rest of us they had no idea we would be seeing a War in Europe in 2022)..

Thankfully the other 5 swords are not quite as controversial – starting with two new T10 tool steel Katana named after two of the most prominent Daimyo in Japan’s long and turbulent history – starting with the Tokugawa Katana:

And complimented by the Hideyoshi Katana – both just $779.99

And then there are two new releases of two older products – the antiqued version of the Scottish Basket-hilt Backsword:

And a similar but quite different Basket-hilt Broadsword:

And finally, a very affordable and nifty little Saxon/Viking Scramasax replica with Stag handle and carbon steel blade for just $85..

Not a bad line up, and always good to see some new swords and blades from one of the giants of the industry, though I still feel sorry for the Dragoon sword..

New Additions!

Not one but THREE awesome new sword designs to add to your collection have just become available – starting with:

New Sword # 1

A.P.O.C. Survival Longsword

The latest design to hit the A.P.O.C. series – this Angus Trim (Atrim) designed hand and a half longsword has a 32″ blade forged from monotempered 9260 spring steel and with G10 sandwich tang grip for maximum durability. Truly amazing value for money at just $175.95.

New Sword # 2

Kingston Arms Atrim Designed Type XIIIa War Sword

This one is downright EXCITING – a powerful two handed fully functional replica of an Oakeshott Type XIIIa War Sword – also designed to Atrim specs and by the man himself. What a beast – and a steal at just $379.99..

New Sword # 3

Scorpion Swords Dune Inspired Atreidis Short Sword

Based on the training sword prop from Dune (2021) Scorpion Swords have recreated their version of an Arteidis Short Sword, and for $249.99 have done an amazing job..

A must have for Dune fans and anyone else who appreciates its unique ‘future-past’ aesthetic..