Questions on Sword Makers and Sellers

Is Siwode a trustable or legitimate sword maker? 
Hi. I have recently been on a quest for finding cheaper $100-200 dollar range katanas. I have come across a company by the name of Siwode. I've looked …

SBG Custom Katana Good or Not? 
Is the SBG custom Katana any good? I know its made out of T10 tool steel, which Ive heard good things about. And if I get the Kobuse Laminated option, …

Is Deepeeka Worth Buying ? 
I only own windlass steelcrats products as of now . Is deepeeka Worth buying?

Wicked Swords  
Hi Paul. Question, I'm sure you have heard of Wicked Swords. Liking the looks of the red katana. Though seen a few reviews but still cautious. What …

Is this online sword okay? 
I found this listing on eBay for a Scottish Broad Sword. It says the blade is 1060 High Carbon Tempered Spring Steel, but doesn't provide any details as …

Is this jian of superb quality?  
Greetings, Ancient Style Qin Dynasty Tai Chi Sword IMO this looks great from the pictures - a lot like the project x forge direct offered from …

Request info on maker's mark 
Can anyone tell me about this mark on a tai chi sword? I ask in utter ignorance, gathering info for a friend.

What brand is "real"? 
I want a real Japanese steel sword. I'm talking Kill Bill Hattori Hanzo type shit. Not some mass produced p.o.s with an English blade. I want a real samurai …

Damascus Breaking Problem 
I ordered a Damascus Sword from one Craftsman. Today Cargo delivered my Damascus Sword. But, Im' not sure Is this strong Sword? I don't know. Craftsman …

Chansword 
I am a first time sword buyer and found the sword I want on Chansword.com. The particular sword is the black t10 katana, I love the look and characteristics …

Opinions on swords from Poshland 
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience from purchasing from poshland. I have been eyeing a few swords from their website such as "Sw-314-B" …

Is iron tiger forge a good brand 
I was wondering if iron tiger forge had good products, especially their cheaper model jians. Do they hold up well like hanwei and cold steel or do they …

Is "Swords of Northshire" reputable? 
I've been looking at buying another custom sword, I'm not saying in detail what I'm having done on here, but I've been checking out their site and not …

Anyone familiar with HeiSei Katana store/HeiSei Sword  
I was just browsing swords when i came across this link http://pt.aliexpress.com/store/1593224 it's not in English but google translate works just fine …

Would this be prone to rust? 
The cold steel greatsword doesn't come with a sheath or scabbard so, would it be prone to rust/corrosion or not? And if so, is there anyway I can prevent …

Trying to determine value of swords 
I am hoping I will have enough information here for you. I had received these as a gift and now trying to determine the worth of them. I have done as …

regarding lamination of a Ronin Elite blade. 
Hello, I just brought a Ronin Elite, from their scratch and dent sale. On first impressions it looked very nice, but I now have concerns about its lamination. …

Katana fire  
I can't find any information about them but they have a lot of options. Have you used them? I like what I see but I am noob. Thanks for your time …

worth it or not? 
I wanted to buy this beautiful katana by ryan sword, specifically the red folded steel katana, i am extremely skeptical of the price ($147) but it seems …

Choice of Sabre -Opinions? 
Hello everyone I was wondering if anyone in this community could help me with regards to opinions about certain sabers which I am interested in buying …

Ronin Dojo Elite vs Ronin Dojo Pro 
Hello! Been reading your articles and watching your videos. Thank you for all you do! I want to know if the Ronin Dojo Elite cuts the way the Ronin Dojo …

Can you tell me anything about this Katana 
Hello there, Since you folks are the experts I'm hoping you can assist me in identifying this beautiful Katana. It is 1060 carbon steel, made in Japan. …

Can't find any "John Lee sword maker" homepage  
I am thinking at buying a John Lee katana. But the fact that I can't find a homepage for this "company" makes me unsure. I think its unheard of.

Kult of Athena saying Legacy Arms' tempering is bad.. But is it true?? 
Kult of Athena says that the tempering of Legacy Arms' "Longer bladed swords" is too soft to be battle ready. I just recently ordered the Robert the Bruce …

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discount code not honored 
Museum Reflica would not acceptyour 10 percent discount code sbgweb. cjm

Howard Clark 
Do you know anything about Howard Clark and L6 Bainite? This is his website: http://www.mvforge.com/l6-the-movie.html

Wulflund swords 
I was wondering about the wulflund line of swords specifically the viking models. This would be my first "real" sword. I am not a reanactor or larper. …

katanasforsale.com 
I was researching affordable custom nagamaki and stumbled upon the following company but haven't been able to find any reviews on them. katanasforsale.com …

Does Shinwa produce good, durable battle-ready swords? 
I have finally gotten my mom to buying a sword, problem is I have absolutely no experience with buying swords and what to look for in good swords. I would …

laminated ebay swords 
Could you please give me your thoughts on the San Mai, and kobuse laminates offered on ebay swords. Do the laminates offer a solution to the folding of …

Sword makers, reliability  
I'd like to know if Tommysword on eBay is any good. I want a good t10 tool sword. I'm particularly interested in the color scheme on its tsuba and also …

i would like to know if you have any info on trueswords.eu 
i found this site while looking for an affordable but usable katana http://www.trueswords.eu/ ofcourse i don't have to behead anyone but i don't want a …

Ten Ryu (tenryu?)  
I've been browsing authentic swords. From what I've read here on SBG, a quality authentic katana should range from about 300$ up and that's the low low …

Thaisuki. Should or shouldnt i? 
Someone talk me out if buying a thaitsuki katana. I have the money for one and saw one I really like at kult of Athena for just over 2k. I like citadel …

Who makes Ryujin Swords? 
Paul, who makes the Ryujin swords , SBG's newest "Custom" katanas? Looking on the internet, all I find is an English firm with that name and I don't …

Opinion on 3 Swords and "DYNASTY FORGE" 
QUESTION: Hey Paul, its great to talk to you. I just want to say this site is fantastic and its a great asset to katana shoppers everywhere, as shopping …

Trying to find the value of an officially licensed Factory -X ,Sword of Maximus, 
QUESTION: Hello, in 2000 right after the movie Gladiator came out, The Home Shopping Network was selling the Sword of Maximus. The replica came with …

Are The Swords From Handmadeswords.com For Real? 
QUESTION: I found handmadesword.com by chance when I was killing time surfing the web. Looking around their site I found their Sakura daisho set. Upon …

SBG Store Question 
QUESTION: Hi Paul, I'm new to sword collecting and I haven't been able to stop visiting your site for the last week... It's just like a good book, tough …

Don't buy the Dynasty Forge Bushi (forge folded) line 
Dear All, This is my sincere petition for all to NOT buy the Dynasty Forge Bushi line. THIS IS *NOT* A PROBLEM WITH THE SPECIFIC VENDOR WHICH I'VE …

Albion's edge retention? 
QUESTION: Hi, do Albion Swords have as good edge retention and cutting ability as Angus Trim blades? ANSWER: They are pretty similar, though I would …

Atrim longsword in stock again? 
QUESTION: Hello Paul. First of all, thanks for this amazing website and awesome swordforum you keep going. I discovered it this summer, and being …

Master of Swords (.eu) 
A few weeks ago, I ordered a sword from a dutch company, www.masterofswords.eu. A very nice site, which I had been browsing for some time before placing …

Who makes G-Series Swords (of Global Gear)? 
QUESTION: Well, at least the "Shadow Katana" (http://www.globalgear.com.au/prod3385.htm) is known to be made in China. "This Blade has been custom …

Kawashima swords?? 
QUESTION: Swords of might has a new line of swords from kawashima swords, can u tell me anything about the brand? Right now my favorite brands are musashi …

shinwa any good and who makes them? 
QUESTION: I was wondering if shinwa was any good, if youve tested them and who actually makes them. where does budk get them? ANSWER: Hi Mike, …

huanuo swords 
QUESTION: Hi, I had a question concerning Huanuo swords. I was wondering if you had any experience with them, more specific with the Chinese Dao's. I …

Ryan Swords 
QUESTION: Anyone know anything about this guy? Typical, "too good to be true" prices. A lot of time and money go into his auction descriptions, including …

Masahiro? 
QUESTION: A friend told me a bit about "Masahiro" katana's and I was wondering if you knew anything about them? I'm not sure as to whether that's a brand, …

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is the shinwa brand a trusted sword brand 
QUESTION: I saw a katana on a web site that is $289 that is made by the shinwa name and the sword supposedly is made of damascus steel and I wanted to …

is deepeeka a quality beater blade brand? 
QUESTION: is the deepeeka kopesh a good beater or is it just some oddity you don't want to use? ANSWER: I wouldn't say it is a good beater per-se, …

Is Ritter Steel a good company? 
QUESTION: I'm thinking of buying a rosewood shirasaya & wakizashi made by Ritter Steel. I believe it's an American company however they say their swords …

gengswords 
QUESTION: hi my name is ryan i live in New Zealand and want to now if u have heard of gengsword becouse i just bought one and i think you would intrested …

Arms and Armour 
QUESTION: Have you ever tested any swords from Arms and Armour? They are sold on the By the Sword web site. They price just over 300. Any thoughts? …

Is the cold steel hand and a half sword a worthy purchase  
QUESTION: I have had good experinces with Cold Steel knives and I like the quality and price of all their pieces but the reviews are few and far between. …

Cold Steel or Windlass? 
QUESTION: I recently decided to buy a cold steel hand-and-a-half sword that I have always been wanting. But When I found your site and read the reviews, …

QUESTION ABOUT THE COLD STEEL HAND AND A HALF SWORD  
QUESTION: I had a question about the quality of the cold steel hand and a half sword. It looks good and has a length that works with me at 42" (I stand …

Cold Steel Hand and a Half Sword - is it fixed? 
QUESTION: Is cold steels hand and a half sword that you deem "infamous" fixed. You know, the hilt collapsing issue? ANSWER: I haven't heard anything …

Thaitsuki Nihonto 
QUESTION: I just heard about Thaitsuki Nihonto and asked myself, if it's really possible to get a traditional japanese katana for a price less then 1000$. …

Are Valiant armoury swords any good? 
QUESTION: I was thinking about buying a sword from Valiant Armoury on the internet. The main swords I was looking at were the war sword, the agincourt, …

Kingofswords.com- Any good? 
QUESTION: Hi Paul! I got another question for you. This will be my third one. Hope I'm not a bother, just trying to help you build your FAQ's. :-) Anyways, …

I bought a "Hand made" Masahiro Samurai Sword 
QUESTION: I need to know if this is actually a Masahiro Sword. I bought from a place on the web called www.sharpimport.com and this is the item 15-MA001R …

Do you know anything about ZhiSword? 
QUESTION: I plan to buy a sword there for it's build and beauty instead of just build. They seem to have a vast selection, but the prices vary so …

Salamander Armory 
QUESTION: I found this place in the web. They provide a full description of their process and they are focused mainly on medieval swords. They hand made …

masahiro swords 
QUESTION: Have you ever heard anything about masahiro swords and if so would you recommend them? ANSWER: The QC on Masahiro swords is all over the …

Quality of Shinwa swords? 
QUESTION: I have seen Shinwa katanas on several online stores. They sell for $159.00 to $279.00. They claim to be fully functional (high carbon steel, …

Swords of Might - Any good? 
QUESTION: Is swords of might a good site? I was looking at their stuff and they seemed to have good katanas. ANSWER: Short answer - not too bad.. …