The full length of over 36 inches includes 30 inches of high carbon hand-forged steel cutting edge. This old design was made for slashing rather than piercing, and the result is lighter than the heavy diamond cross-section longswords that evolved to counter plate armour. The Norman Sword's 3-pound, 4-ounce weight made it a fast one-handed weapon and a favorite choice of horsemen.

Based on genuine museum pieces and manufactured with a combination of hand processes and modern materials, the swords of Valiant Armoury were intended to be battle ready as well as to be striking armaments for display. Designers Christian Fletcher and Angus Trim spent many years learning old methods by trial and error as well as by research. Production swords of the Valiant Standard line are not rated combat ready, but the build is solid and stronger than would be expected in a display weapon. Without the flash and decoration of a noble's blade, the Norman Sword still shows its own type of class -- the clean lines of a sword made for real work.

Find this Norman Sword:

Classic Citadel FEUDAL NORMAN KNIGHT ATTACKING with SWORD from 1987 US $7.92   0 Bid Auction Ends: 3d 17h 57m

Classic Citadel FEUDAL NORMAN KNIGHT CASUALTY with SWORD US $7.92   0 Bid Auction Ends: 3d 18h 4m

Named after Thomas Beaufort, an important military leader favored by King Henry V, the Duke of Exeter Sword hides a lot of history. This style of sword became the right blade at the right time on the historically important Agincourt battlefield. An English army of swordsmen and longbowmen -- lightly armoured, exhausted after a 250 mile march across France, sick with dysentery, and outnumbered by a confident French army by ten to one -- not only survived but won a decisive victory. Swords like this were one of the reasons, light enough to swing without sinking their owners to their knees in mud, and forged with a diamond shaped blade that drove through heavy plate armour.

Hand forged in the Philippines, the Duke of Exeter longsword uses polished macassar ebony as the hand grip, departing a little from the materials of the originals but adding enough flair to make this a beautiful and functional replica sword. One of Valiant's standard weapons, this sword is not rated combat ready. The build is strong and solid and makes you think that with a little bit of work, it would be.

According to Valiant Armoury, this modern version of the ancient English longsword can pierce plate armour one-handed and slash chain mail with a two-handed blow. With four-and-a-half pounds of high carbon steel powering the edge, that does seem possible. The usual Valiant build of carbon steel blade, polished steel fittings, and macassar ebony handle creates this strong and usable weapon. Details match the fine points of antique swords from the time of the Hundred Years War. The Black Prince Sword is a business-like blade which a fighting prince like Edward of Woodstock might actually have carried. Decoration is sparse -- the 10-inch cross guard and heavy steel pommel are for catching blades and bashing heads, not for court ceremony.

Hand forged in the Philippines, the Black Prince Sword comes with a leather bound scabbard of good quality and is suitable for display or discreet use. One of the swords in Valiant's standard series, the Black Prince is considered functional but not true combat quality. Valiant's standard line is way ahead of most replica swords in both functional standards and design details. If the Black Prince isn't actually the real thing, it's a dead ringer for it.

Find this Black Prince Sword:

Prince of Persia Sword Black Shamshir of Dastan US $139.99   Auction Ends: 25d 23m

Emit A Sword of Death For the Prince Cd 2005 Black infernal ambient Melek Tha US $8.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 3d 13h 30m

This 22-and-a-half-inch blade with hand-forged fullering and Persian-style upsweep is actually heavier than some of the old battlefield models of the Falchion. Three-and-a-half pounds of high carbon steel, macassar ebony, and leather wrapping makes this functional 28.75-inch replica a very impressive sword. Polished steel cross guard and pommel follow the old functional design, but the handle itself gives the piece unexpected flair. The sword includes a matching scabbard.

In terms of pure authenticity the Medieval Falchion is just a little too good. Swords of this weight and class were favored by the working soldiers, very often pressed into service off the farms of the day and matched up to weapons that equaled their abilities. Peasant soldiers received less training than the nobility or professional soldiers, coming into the military world with skills derived from handling farm tools. Weapons were provided that matched the feel and action of farm implements. A sword this advanced would probably have been out of their reach. Their loss, our gain.

Find this Medieval Falchion Sword:

28 Devil Dragon Medieval Skull Falchion Foam Sword New US $25.00   Auction Ends: 26d 3h 24m

Falchion Medieval Style Dollhouse One Inch Scale US $55.00   Auction Ends: 14d 16h 38m

Straight grained wood really is hard to find today, and any commercial handle maker sneaks a few questionable pieces through often enough. For a battle axe to be perfect, the grain of the wood has to be as good as the steel, so the Nemesis may not be quite battle ready. It's the handle quality I question, and since that varies with each, you may get one that is perfect. The construction is complex for an axe -- hidden partial tangs held by multiple steel rivets weaken the wooden shaft. Replacing a broken handle would be a major problem for someone who isn't a craftsman. Other than that, you're pretty well set to create havoc and mayhem. The axe isn't light -- at 5.5 pounds, it's about double the weight of a hardware store version. The blades of the Nemesis have been engineered in the same way old battle axes actually were forged. Crescent-shaped blades with 9.5 inches of cutting edge each, backed up by a sleek eye design and streamlined head, give lots of chopping potential plus the opportunity for a quick rebound. Authentic steel spikes add two more good reasons to stand clear. A little careful practice with the Nemesis and you'll have respect for the people who wielded these in other times.

Hand forged in the Philippines, the 35-inch long Nemesis developed from the work of American designers Christian Fletcher and Angus Trim in conjunction with Valiant Armoury. Many of Valiant's pieces are based on real weapons displayed in museums. Philippine craftsmen working with hand forged carbon steel and rare hardwoods bring these old ideas back to life.

Find this Nemesis Battle Axe:

54 095 Valiant Battle Ready Avenger Single Axe US $139.00   Auction Ends: 7d 4h 58m

54 096 Valiant Battle Ready Double Axe US $139.00   Auction Ends: 7d 4h 54m

Rather than making strict reproductions of period pieces, Valiant's craftsmen in the Philippines often go a step further. Though not intended for combat, even Valiant's standard series swords have the feel of real weapons. Details show that the makers took pride in their work. The War Sword isn't decorated with cast metal that gets knocked loose in shipment -- the seven-inch cross guard and pommel are solid steel. The blade itself shows 32 inches of hand forged carbon steel -- rat tail tang and pommel bring the total length to 41 inches. Though this was considered a one-handed sword in the old days, the War Sword was also heavy enough to swing two-handed. At just under four pounds, it's definitely too weighty for fencing practice. Modern swordsmen need to train a while before a blade this heavy is steady in the hand.

The War Sword comes with a good leather sheath and an excellent warranty. Give the blade a light coating of oil to protect it from rust, and don't treat it as a toy. In fact, Valiant does not recommend using even the standard series blades like the War Sword as theatrical props. If you swing this at something, it will do some damage.

Find this War Sword:

Valiant N02 L5R Naga w Two Swords Snakeman Clan War US $10.99   Auction Ends: 8d 21h 56m

Valiant L5R SH85 Goblin War Hog w Sword Clan War NIB US $10.99   Auction Ends: 8d 15h 46m

For a very reasonable price, considering the amount of labor that goes into this blade, you get traditional double-pinned handle construction and even real ray skin wrapping beneath the blue cord grip. An antiqued copper tsuba with a pouncing tiger motif forms the handguard of the 27-inch fullered high carbon steel blade. Red silk travel bag is included. Minor variations from blade to blade prove this is genuine hand forging and not a machine generated product.

Valiant recommends not using their swords as theatrical pieces, because even their display swords have clout. The Practical series provides weapons for those who actually practice the old martial arts -- treat this katana with respect. Though the swords of legend might survive a hard strike against stone, the ones that survived that sort of treatment were few in number. Study the techniques of tamashigiri and use only the traditional striking targets.

Find this Kyoumou Tora Practical Katana:

NINJAK 1 5NinjaValiantMartial ArtsKatanaNM M1994 US $9.99   Auction Ends: 10d 3h 36m

Valiant Armoury VA1701 Katana US $864.64   Auction Ends: 23d 1h 46m

Valiant Armoury, based in Grapevine, Texas, works with producers overseas to create their designs, and the results are impressive. Obviously they're interested in quality workmanship and didn't hook up with the lowest bidder -- some of the world's best swords still come from Chinese foundries, but the best work usually stays in China.

Thirty-eight-and-a-half inches long overall, with a 30-inch polished blade, the set includes a rosewood scabbard with matching fittings and a well-made storage box. With the Golden Lion in hand, you'll feel like you're learning swordplay instead of playing with a toy sword.

Find this Golden Lion Tai Chi Sword:

36 Black Spring Steel Tai Chi Kung Fu Sword Jian US $33.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1h 39m

Spring Steel Dragon Jian Tai Chi Martial Arts Sword US $28.98   Auction Ends: 11d 23h 48m

Macassar ebony rings alternate with brass to create the bold look of the grip and pommel. The three-pound weight certainly gives the Praetorian the feel of a real weapon, even though the leaf-point blade arrives unsharpened. Designed in an age when bronze and iron ruled the battlefield, this sword forged in modern steel would impress even the warriors of the old days.

Take extra care to properly oil and maintain the sword, because Valiant uses no stainless steel in this gladius. The Praetorian is hand forged from high carbon steel that darkens with age and use. Most manufacturers have shifted away from that towards the stainless alloys, but now that the new has worn off the idea many now promote their steel as stain-free -- rustable, but shiny. Many of the old high carbon alloys were rust-resistant with proper care and held an excellent edge. A good sword needs to come down from the wall now and then, even if just for a polish.

Find this Praetorian Sword :

Maximus Roman Gladiator Sword Medieval Gladius w Scab US $54.98   Auction Ends: 28d 23h 7m

HAND MADE ROMAN GLADIUS SWORD US $116.60   Auction Ends: 3h 52m

This reproduction of that old military weapon sports a cup style brass handguard, leather wrapped handle and brass fittings on the black leather wrapped sheath. It may not meet the exacting standards of a Civil War Reenactment Troop, but it's definitely close enough for pirate costumes. The sword which actually inspired this replica probably dates back to the late 1800's.

This blade is at the higher end of the costume offerings that are readily available and popular due to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In today's pirate world one would definitely have the upper hand when armed with this cutlass, since most of your opponents will be packing plastic.

Find this Cutlass:

• Click here to find this sword at Amazon.com

Find this sword on eBay:

Pirates of Caribbean Cutlass Sword Knuckle Bow Guard Black Rusty Blade US $39.95   1 Bid Auction Ends: 1h 39m

Jack Sparrow Pirate Cutlass Sword Skull Crossbones US $41.95   1 Bid Auction Ends: 1h 39m