Created by Paul Chen of Hanwei Forge, the Viking Throwing Spear is more than a reproduction of a classic museum piece. The details are intricate, including etched runic designs on the socket of the spearhead. Viking smiths would have used a complicated process called niello to create the designs ...

One of the most interesting of the old Chinese weapons, butterfly knives originally were carried concealed beneath the robes of monks. Old accounts say that only the tips were sharpened, allowing monks to use the double short swords in self defense without killing their opponents. Original movements designed for the ...

If you're interested in learning Tai Chi, then you need a training weapon like the Premium Wushu Tai Chi Sword by Hanwei. This sword is a wushu style blade, made light for easy handling. Unless you intend to wreck your wrists by starting out those slow movements with a combat ...

Inspired by the personal weapon of Miyamoto Musashi -- one of feudal Japan's greatest swordsmen and author of the famous book of strategy The Book of Five Rings -- this daito or long sword would have been used in conjunction with a shorter wakisashi. Musashi's dual weapon style saw him through ...

Practicing the movements of Iaido, the art of drawing the sword, traditionally involves a progression of weapons which gradually lead the swordsman to competence with a real blade. Iaito, like the Tsuru Iaito from CAS Hanwei, are the step below the real thing. Built to handle with the same feel and ...

Old tempering processes became so complex and time consuming that few manufacturers today even attempt their reproduction. Higher quality modern alloy steel and new ways of producing high quality blades only occasionally compete with the old standards. Almost never does anyone manage to blend the two approaches.

Through the Kami Katana by CAS ...

If you're considering the purchase of this sword, be aware that it's part of a training tradition and not intended for combat. This is a well-made training sword, and does cost more than a bokken, or wooden training sword. Actually a lot more -- enough that many people will think they ...

Using a museum piece as a template, Paul Chen of Hanwei forge recreates the old Scottish Highlander Basket-Hilt Broadsword in new materials with a traditional finish. Blade and basket hand guard of stainless steel sport an antiqued patina that gives this piece the look of true age. Even the maker's name ...

All right, another fancy parrying dagger, certainly not the first one I've ever seen -- but hold on a minute, there's something new at hand. Actually the German Main Gauche is something old brought to life again for possibly the first time since the 1600s, when dueling with swords and ...

Finding an affordable combat quality katana can be difficult. Swordmaking has not died out, but traditional swordmakers are far fewer in number now. Though you might get an excellent deal at the foundry door, by the time the blade has traveled through several levels of importers and retailers the ...

This recreation of the famous sword cane wielded by the revered blind Iaido master Zatoichi in movie after excellent movie is good enough that owners want to know if it cuts. Paul Chen, the designer of this replica weapon, engineered a working blade that is still within the financial reach of ...

Medieval weaponry history tells us that the Danish axe surfaced somewhere between the reign of the Vikings and the Middle Ages. It's another example of a peaceful agricultural tool that evolved into a hunting weapon over time, much like the Japanese sickle or kama.

A traditional Danish axe can ...

The kama originated in ancient Japanese history as a farming sickle, primarily used by rice farmers who needed a harvesting tool as well as a defensive weapon alongside them at all times. Throughout the ages, the kama has evolved to become a standard weapon of choice in modern Okinawan Kobodu martial arts.

This ...

Here's the original Hero's Axe, not the antiqued version, by Hanwei designer Paul Chen. This original model is beautifully embellished and polished, and honestly would look a lot better mounted for display than the antiqued Hero's Axe, making it a much better choice in our opinion. The biggest reason for ...

Once again Paul Chen of Hanwei fame has designed yet another timeless piece of medieval weaponry. This yari, or Japanese spear, has been forged in ancient Japanese tradition while keeping up with a few modern conveniences at the same time.

The Hanwei yari measures an impressive 79 inches long. Its ...

The naginata is quite an important weapon in the field of martial arts. It's identified by a curved blade, a long wooden shaft, and a traditional tsuba similar to the ones you'd find on an ancient Japanese sword.

Hanwei's version of a Japanese naginata is of course designed by none other than ...

If you have the means to add some finishing touches to your own blade, then you'll want to take a look at this Paul Chen Hanwei sword.

It's an installment in Paul Chen's Tiger series, similar to his Tiger Katana but available now in a wooden Shirasaya design. There are two ...

Let's call this one a mid-range sword... a nice piece of equipment that's not too expensive, but is pricey enough that you've got to be serious to consider it. Let's get into the pros and cons of the Practical Plus Elite...

There's no doubt it's a strong, durable sword. The blade ...