Nov 01, 24 01:49 AM
The sword manufacturers we list below are some of the most well know, well respected sword makers that produce the vast majority of functional swords currently on the market.
All listings follow the same basic format - an introduction, the main product lines, information on how they are made, known issues and where to buy them as a minimum.
Use this guide to familiarize yourself with what is available, determine fair prices and get a feel for the good, the bad and the ugly of them all (just click on the sword manufacturers name to get the down and dirty, detailed overview).
Enjoy!
Made via CNC Lathe in the USA, they specialize in high end functional medieval sword replicas with an emphasis on historical accuracy. Average Price: $700-900. Availability: Sporadic.
Also made via CNC Lathe in the USA, which is no co-incidence as Angus Trim was one of Albions founding members. Average Price: $1,200. Availability: Rare.
Hand Forged in the USA by Christopher Poor. High quality medieval and renaissance era swords. Average Price: $600-800. Availability: Sporadic.
Designed by Kult of Athena and made in India to extremely surprisingly good quality standards, Balaur caused quite a splash when they hit the scene in 2018. Average Price: $300. Availability: Readily available.
Specialized in Filipino and Japanese Swords hand made in Pangasinan, the Philippines, but can and does make swords from many cultures and eras. Average Price: $300-500. Availability: Sporadic.
Individually hand made high end Katana for connoisseurs and discerning martial artists. World renowned quality. Average Price: $2,500. Availability: Readily Available
Made in China and India under contract. Largest, most diverse selection - including Asian swords, medieval, renaissance, civil war and military sabers. Average Price: $300-400. Availability: Readily Available.
Made in Canada via a production line style assembly. Specializes in medieval themed and fantasy style swords. Average Price: $550. Availability: Readily Available.
Made in India. Specializes in Ancient World replica swords and some medieval style pieces. Average Price: $95. Availability: Average.
Made via the stock removal process in Maniago, Italy. Focused on historically accurate replicas of medieval and renaissance period European swords. Average Price: $400-600. Availability: Average
Hand forged in the Philippines. Primarily focused on medieval style swords. Average Price: $300. Availability: Sporadic.
Made in Dailan, China (primarily hand forged). Produces an extremely diverse range of battle ready swords at varying price points. Average Price: $200-600. Availability: Widely Available.
The latest project of industry Legend Cylde Hollis (founder of Generation 2) with an expanding and diverse line of high quality fit and finish swords from all time periods and eras. Average Price: $308-$999. Availability: Rare but expanding.
Made in China. Specializes in low cost Japanese swords. Average Price: $80. Availability: Widespread.
Made in China. Also specializes in low cost Japanese swords. Average Price: $50. Availability: Widespread.
Hand Forged in Longquan, China. Specializes in Japanese style blades for Dojo applications. Average Price: $250. Availability: Readily Available.
Specializes in custom Katana, importing the components and blades from Longquan, China - and assembling them to the customers specification at their California based workshop. Average Price: $200-$300. Availability: Readily Available.
Many exclusive lines, from custom work, rare one of collectibles and swords simply not available anywhere else. Brand lines include Project X & Forge Direct - projects, too numerous to list..
Hand made via stock removal in the USA by Chris Palmer. Specialize in ultra durable knives and shortswords. Average price: $300. Availability: Made to Order
Specialists in Japanese Katana made in China and QC inspected and shipped from Thailand. Mid to high end blades only with their trademark use of 75% silver in their unique, patented fittings.
A company in transition, swords now made in the USA with numerous customization options. Specializes in medieval swords. Average Price: $600-900. Availability: Very Sporadic.
Hand Forged in India. Primary focuses on medieval swords but as they are a military contractor, also makes military swords. Average Price: $200. Availability: Widely Available.
Inactive or Closed Sword Manufacturers:
Cheness Cutlery (2005-2021)
Kris Cutlery (1985-2020)
This part of the site is dedicated to the memory of Hank Reinhardt (1934-2007) who originally conceived of the idea to list all the major manufacturers in this way and passed the torch to me a few months before his untimely passing.
ABOUT HANK REINHARDT: Sword and Arms Historian Hank Reinhardt was a legend of the sword industry.
One of the founding members of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronisms), co-founder of Museum Replicas Limited (which he sold to Windlass Steelcrafts in 1995) and founder of the HACA (Historical Armed Combat Association) – these were just a few of the strings to his bow.
Hank was also a close personal friend of the late, great sword scholar Ewart Oakeshott, Hank Reinhardt was also a true and very pragmatic swordsman who had produced several videos on the subject including ‘How to Use the Viking Sword in REAL combat’ and ‘Myth of the Sword’
Never a man to mince his words, Hank was well known for his straightforward, pragmatic attitude and was famous for his love of ‘clever witticisms’, which he rejected his friends calling bad jokes…
Jan 18, 1934-October 30, 2007.
I hope this guide to the various Sword Manufacturers has been helpful. To return to the SBG Homepage from the Sword Manufacturers Dossier, click here