SBG Sword Store Blog

Timely in a slightly disturbing way – CAS Iberia, the master distributor for such brands as the Hanwei Forge, Kingston Arms, Legacy Arms, Citadel Swords, Rawlings Red Dragon and of course, the A.P.O.C. line, did not restock in September as we initially expected and the big restock for 2020 is delayed until early November 2020.

However, they did receive a small shipment to top up stock for Kingston Arms (most notably, the extremely popular Renaissance Side Sword and the Oakeshott Type XIV Arming Sword) and of course, the A.P.O.C. series.

Almost every blade in the series has been restocked. And joining the line up, a new, extremely practical design – the Tac Brutus Gladius

While many lay collectors, biased by pop culture references such as the Walking dead, think that the Katana is the best tool in a zombie apocalypse or post apocalypse home invasion – experts all tend to suggest that a Gladius is much more practical.

Here’s some reasons why a Gladius is the ULTIMATE sword for self defense in the 21st century:

• Historically, thrusts to the torso were ‘fight stoppers’ while cuts did not stop a determined attacker.
• It is almost impossible for an attacker to get ‘past’ the tip of the sword.
• It is extremely versatile – while optimized for a thrust can also be used to hack, slash and cut as the situation allows.
• Is extremely fast, multiple attacks from every angle imaginable are possible, quickly overwhelming an opponent.
• Can be combined with a shield to fight an opponent by blocking a doorway or with a second, smaller blade in the off hand for dual wielding (such as the A.P.O.C. Last Chance Bowie or the A.P.O.C. Wayward Camper).

All of these reasons make a Gladius a good choice, but the A.P.O.C. Tac Brute has a lot more going from it than most other Gladii on the market..

For a start, it is made from 9260 Spring steel and is constructed so that it is effectively a solid piece, with the full tang sandwich style handle. Furthermore, it is thoughtfully designed by none-other than the legendary Angus Trim – so is one of the most optimized, practical Gladii to ever hit the sword market.

Normal price for this baby is $159 but as always we cut our margins to the bone and offer it to you for just $129.95. Check it out firsthand, you will be glad you did – at this price, it truly is a bargain.

More than just a restock..

You may remember that earlier this month we gave you a glimpse at one of the latest swords designed by Clyde Hollis’s latest venture, Kingdom of Arms – the Irish Kern Sword..

Funnily enough, as it turns out, the KERN will have to be restocked next time as only a couple were ordered and are already spoken for. Indeed as far as restocks go – out of the four products we had initially listed, 3 have been restocked – the Crecy Sword and the Maintz Gladius

And the third, the Celtic Leaf Blade War Sword..

But rather than just being a restock, it is an EXPANSION and ESTABLISHMENT of their line – and its very cool to see some premium quality, battle ready replicas made by the fine artisans at Blade Culture International in the Philippines again!

So let’s have a look at the new swords – and it is refreshing to see some truly awesome looking historical designs, from Ancient Rome to the Knights Templar..

The oldest sword, apart from the Celtic blade, is the Iberian Falcata – a true timeless classic.

The basic design clearly very ‘natural’ as the basic shape and concept has resurfaced independently time and time again. For example, the Greek Kopis, and of course, the Gurkha Kurkri which has also been replicated by Kingdom of Arms and BCI..

Anyway, getting back to a more ‘chronological’ order – the Roman counterpart to the Falcata is the Hispaniensis Roman Mainz Gladius and when you add all their various Gladius designs together, it almost immediately makes Kingdom of Arms one of the leading makers of Fully Functional, truly battle ready versions of Roman Gladii replicas on the planet!

Following the trail of history, there were a few samples of a Viking Sword – though not enough to put in stock this round (But here it is for future reference).

Still following a historical timeline, we enter the era of the Holy Wars and Crusades with a powerful arming sword – the Crusader Medieval War Sword

It is one powerful and rather hefty long 33″ bladed sword that only the strongest dare to wield – but it counterbalanced in every way, from early Crusades to the end with the Last Crusader Medieval Longsword a beautifully crafted Oakeshott XVIIIa Longsword with black wire wrapped handle.

And finally, a blade that is STILL an important part of Scottish Culture and tradition to this day, the Sgian Dubh

Like we said, this one is more than just a restock – the Kingdom of Arms has arrived.

Full Restock of the $229.99 Ryujin Custom Sword Series

A lot of people have been waiting for this FULL restock of our wildly popular SBG/Ryujin Custom Katana line – and I am pleased to say that it has just landed and that ALL components of the Custom Katana series, including the Solid bodied blade version, are once again available:

Additionally, a couple of non-custom Ryujin swords also restocked at the same time, namely the $149.99 65MN Spring Steel Blade Two handed Tang Dynasty Silver Jian pictured below:

And the very reasonably priced ($69) Classic Ninjato from the 1045 carbon steel ‘art swords’ line:

Still more restocks (and some NEW swords) pending, so stay tuned everyone! September is definitely restock month…!

In the meantime:

Ironically for a company with the name Katana in it, Ronin have in recent years become more famous for their European sword line – a series of no-nonsense swords that follow the same ‘only use the best available’ philosophy that brought them to where they are now with their Katana.

Well, last weekend a massive restock shipment came in – with almost EVERY sword restocked, both Japanese and European – though there are a few exceptions..

For example, for their European swords – model #003 based on the Harriet Dean sword (pictured above) did not restock this time (the limited edition model is still available here).

And neither did the Dojo Pro Models #007 and #030 (pictured below respectively).

Additionally, Dojo Pro Models 20, 23 and 24 have been discontinued and will be replaced by new versions next year – otherwise, every other blade, from O-Katana to Tanto have been restocked.

Here are some of the most hotly anticipated restock swords

Simply click on the image and it will open the product in a new window..

GERMANIC GREAT SWORD – Euro Model #001

OAKESHOTT XVIa – Euro Model #002

Euro model #003 was not restocked, but Model #004 – the Italian Arming Sword has been sold out for a long time and so..

Actually…

When you think about it..

ALL of the medieval swords are extremely popular, up to and including the ‘Two Handed War Falchion’ pictured below.

For the entire European Sword line click the link below:

And for the Japanese Dotanuki Dojo Pro Katana line

More restocks coming your way soon!

As I mentioned in the previous post, if all goes to plan September will be restock month. But it’s also a month where we will see some new products – here’s two of them..

COMING SOON – the KERN Irish Sword by Kingdom of Arms

I wrote a fair bit about this one in the August edition of the Sword Buyers Digest Online Magazine (click here to read the back issue) but the stunning KERN sword by Kingdom of Arms is due to land THIS WEEK!

Truly a stunning piece of craftsmanship – it is hand made by the team at Blade Culture International in the Philippines, so you know it is going to be premium quality.. So you will definitely want to keep your eye out for that!

A New A.P.O.C.
Not just a restock, it’s a new epoc for A.P.O.C. (sorry, just could not resist – worst accidental poetry ever) and here is the latest in their rapidly expanded line up in 2020 – the TAC BRUTUS designed by Angus Trim.

It has often been said that a Gladius is a very effective self defense tool in the modern era, and this one made from 9260 spring steel and designed by Gus Trim may be one of the best in its price range (the MSRP on this one will be $159, naturally we will sell it for much less).

Stats look like this:
Overall: 24″
Blade Length: 18″
Handle Length: 5 5/8″
Weight: 1 lbs 12 oz
Point of Balance: 2 5/8

Combine it with a modern riot shield and you have the ultimate deadly doorway blocker – so zombies beware!

More swords coming in this month – so stay tuned folks…