With China soon to shut down all the forges for between 1-2 months starting towards the end of this month, and with a lot of price pressure on us that has been building since the beginning of 2020, we are temporarily closing down on any new orders for the Forge Direct Custom Katana 4.0 until the end of February/early March..
This is only a temporary shutdown to prevent customers getting frustrated by the long delays, and while there still are a few orders in the system we are still processing that may be impacted – we hope that the savings they made by buying it at what has become the old sale price of $779.99 with free shipping will make up for it because there is no way we will be able to maintain this price once we re-open in Feb/March (tentatively, the new price will be back to $899 – but even that is cutting it a bit too fine.. Only time will tell..)
Nothing really highlights the ongoing insanity of the global supply chain crises than when we list all the new swords that were supposed to have landed at least a couple of months ago in time for Christmas than this..
On Boxing Day, many new models have just become available for Christmas..
So without any further ado, here they are – our ‘Boxing Day’ Selection..
BLADE CULTURE INTERNATIONAL
While the Legendary Swords Project’s future remains very uncertain, at the start of 2021 there were a few swords whose prototypes showed so much promise that it would be plain wrong not to make a few into a small production. Now nearly 12 months later, we are delighted to announce a VERY LIMITED release of two new fully functional fantasy swords. Starting with:
The Brand of The Fallen
Loosely based on the German Zweihander and Scottish Two Handed Swords with a very dark twist, this has to be one of the meanest truly battle ready fantasy swords ever made. 45″ from end to end, everything about this sword is quite distinctive and unique – but nothing stands out more than the blade itself..
With 13 curves (a traditional and common style throughout South East Asia) Kris/Flamberge is very attractive but as similar swords were used by the German Landsknecht, it is not without historical precedent.
Definitely a sword you should be careful handling, as Kris blades can bite in unexpected ways..
Ever bisected a water filled bottle before? Probably..
But how about with a thrust? Well, unless you have one of these – chances are no..
With a truly acute tip optimized for a deep and very wide thrust, its a very versatile and intimidating looking piece and includes a matching high quality scabbard.
Also made by Blade Culture International, but exclusive to Clyde Hollis’s Kingdom of Arms Brand, we see quite a few underrepresented swords finally hit the market as well as some companion daggers and Viking seax knives to create matching sets.
After humble beginnings, the so called ‘Art Sword’ line by Ryujin has been expanding quite a bit in the last month or so. And it just got even bigger with four new swords with 65mn Spring Steel blades that take it all to a whole new level..
The Radiant Dragon
The Akumu (Nightmare)
Aoitsunami
Five Elements
There are more swords still stuck in supply chain hell that will be released ‘for Christmas’ in 2022.. But look on the good side, at least they should not ALL sell out crazy fast this time (though we are already seeing some of the most popular ones going quite fast regardless – so if you see something you like, don’t sit on the sidelines or you might still miss out!).
In the meantime, you can check out every new sword listed in the order it arrived HERE on our New Additions Page:
First things first, as per our official guide to the holiday season – the ideal time to order any swords or sword related products has long since passed (any orders placed after the 8th of December may well have a hard time arriving in time for Christmas, so any orders placed from today – will probably not arrive until AFTER the holiday season).
Because swords can be damaged by excessively rough handling (and with the world’s postal and courier services pretty much fed up after nearly 2 years of almost single-handedly keeping the modern world moving along with very little respect or gratitude, rough handling for Christmas 2021 will likely be the norm rather than the exception) – we will not be doing any ‘rush orders’ or anything that will more likely than not just end up with a damaged or lost product at the worst possible time..
In recent years, getting a supply of tatami mats has been a real challenge. So when we are able to get in a few boxes, it’s quite newsworthy.
Available in boxes of 20 (individually they work out to cost around $10.49 per mat) – stock is limited, so if you need some good mats at the best possible price, grab some while you can.
Post Script: Runaway inflation and shipping increases meant that the old price we sold the mats for actually cost us a small fortune (we are charging $20 shipping, but the actual cost is closer to $50-60 – and it meant we lost money with every recent order).
Not fun, but to make it viable we needed to raise the price – and for everyone who was lucky enough to get them at the old ‘pre-pandemic’ pricing, you will not see prices like that again anytime soon.
In the Viking Sagas, Ragnarok was the day of reckoning – in the time of the axe age, the sword age – time without mercy..
And while we aren’t quite there yet, this old legend of a much harsher time is reborn – Sword # 6 in Jason Woodard’s Doomsday Series: the Ragnarok
As with all of the swords in the series – it started with Jason’s 1:1 scale blueprint
Then Chris got to work taking the design from paper to 1095 carbon steel, cutting out the blank
It is then ground to shape – and 11 holes are drilled into it, into which fixing pins shall later be placed.
The blade is then heated to approximately 1500 degrees, until it becomes non magnetic and then quenched in brine (salt water). The 2nd step is Heat Tempering, which consists of heating the steel to 500 degrees for 2 hours, and letting it air cool. This makes for a Rockwell Hardness of approximately 57 HRC.
The pins are inserted into the hand shaped Walnut wood handle and then epoxied into place, giving the sword the durability that Scorpion Swords are famous for.
Finally, everything is finished up and the handle wrapped with deerskin leather with the end result, one heck of a powerful blade that we think does justice to its legendary name..
Hand made to last with pride in the USA – just $289.99
It is hard to believe it – but it is THAT time of year again..
And while it has been (and continues to be) a channeling year, we are pleased that on CyberMonday 2021 we have some GREAT deals for you that have just been added to the HOT SPECIALS page in the official SBG Sword Store.
So here they are, three NEW swords and three classics at heavily DISCOUNTED prices..
Technically a Ko-Wakizashi..
It is clearly NOT a traditional blade with its unique blue and steel flame design, but it’s 13″ monotempered 65mn spring steel is priced so low for the CyberMonday Sale that it makes me wince a little bit..
Easily worth the price just for the blade alone..
A Very Mean Mune
The second sword in the ‘Demon tooth’ series of Art Swords (the first, still available and in stock with a Damascus steel blade) instead of folded steel it is differentially hardened, and completed with premium quality steel fittings, cotton ito and everything you would expect from a decent entry level Katana..
A very mean ‘Mune’ (spine) makes other swords nervous..!
Nothing But Damascus..
Perhaps the pinnacle of the art sword line – the fittings are suitable for the dojo, the blade something fully functional but awesome to display – if you are a fan of affordable folded steel blades, this one is for you..
