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 ...

This pair of twenty-inch-long swords with single leather scabbard gives today's kung fu adepts the modern combat version of an ancient Chinese weapon. Cold Steel's versions of these wide blades weigh more than a pound each with fifteen inches of cutting edge and blade stock 1/5-inch thick. The 1055 ...

With a heavy brass ring pommel and brass handguard, this high carbon combat steel Pudao weighs in at ten pounds, enough to handle and cut like the real thing. Today weapons of this class are used for strength training, in combination with genuine combat movements from the old kung fu systems. In other ...

At over thirteen pounds, this forged high carbon steel Kwan Dao is heavy by today's standards but light in comparison to the old combat Kwan Dao of China. Designed by General Kwan Yu in the 3rd Century A.D. for his personal use, the original Green Dragon Crescent Blade which inspires ...

Obviously designed for advanced martial artists, the Tiger Hooks in this set from Tiger Claw match the form of the old weapons but not the function. Built of chrome plated mild steel with lightly wrapped handles, these Tiger Hooks will suit those who want a simple wall display or a lightweight ...

Although these 40-inch Twin Broadswords forged from combat-quality high carbon steel come from the Lung Chuan district of China, tracing them to a specific local foundry could be difficult. Many family foundries in Lung Chuan village still produce high quality weaponry, and one of them put the family mark on ...

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 ...

Cold Steel is better known for functionality than for building self-defense weapons which look good. The Cold Steel philosophy of matching pure function with modern materials sometimes creates weapons which look at best like tools and at worst like souvenirs. Using some of the sensible features of that approach, the ...

The Nemesis Battle Axe, sold as a fully functional battle weapon, does outclass most other modern martial arts axes. Many of the modern versions of this intimidating double-bladed axe are intentionally lightweight, built more for kata than for fighting. Though this is a very nice axe, and a type of weapon that ...

If you've ever been disappointed by a display katana's inability to cut, consider the Kyoumou Tora Practical Katana from Valiant Armoury. Part of this Texas company's Practical Cutting series of real swords and katanas, the Kyoumou Tora will actually slice through rolled tatami targets. Not only does it cut, it also ...

Based on an old trench knife design, this cleaned up version represents the spirit of the worst of times, the trench war of WWI that inspired many of the Geneva Protocols commonly known as Rules of Warfare. Even with the slight civilized changes of this model, it's a knife that ...

We'd better prequel this next review with a warning: Kids, don't try this at home! While the traditional Okinawan tonfa is highly sought after in martial arts as an elite weapon of choice, this particular set is meant for those who know their way around the mat. Professionals and elite ...

An economically priced and functional katana with a good reputation, the Zetsurin Warrior is hard to find now. Buyers liked the simple things about it, like being able to actually cut through training targets. The black sheath, covered with imitation ray skin, and the white nylon cord wrapped handle ...

This Godfred Viking sword is another fairly accurate historical replica from Nordic times. The way that this sword is fashioned dates it back to the 9th century, during the early Middle Ages when swords were meant for battle and not for decoration.

The blade is double-edged with a small taper running ...

Is it possible to make a good katana using traditional methods of hand forging and clay tempering and market it for a reasonable price? Handmade Swords claims to have done it with this practical version of the sword favored by O-Ren in the hit movie Kill Bill. The ...

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 ...

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 ...

This is a basic, but fully functional katana. Plain and simple. Shinwa would have you believe it's something special - They claim that their Noble series swords are above and beyond many others because they aren't "cheap imitations." Strong words. But are they true?

Well let's take a look, ...

This fantasy sword is inspired by the Japanese anime/manga series Bleach. It's the blade of 10th Division Captain Hitsugaya Toushiro, and is a very detailed and authentic replica of the original manga sword.

Honestly, due to the price, we didn't expect this Zanpakuto sword to be high in the quality department... but ...

This saber is another fine historical replica sword from Cold Steel, this time with equal emphasis in original tradition and technological improvement.

It's called the Napoleon since the model is designed around the French cavalry swords of the early 1800s. But Cold Steel took a "creative liberty" approach and added length, width, and thickness ...

For a fully-functional, battle-ready odachi sword, Shinwa's version is a tough one to beat in terms of quality and affordability.

This odachi is made from super-strong 1060 high carbon steel, with a razor-sharp double edge that protrudes to a point at the tip. It's genuinely handmade, and if you look closely you can ...

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 ...

The Tiger and Rose Katana is a beautiful collector's item. It has an extensive history of ancient samurai heritage embedded in each facet of its design, which is refreshing to see.

And it's not just for looks. This sword is battle-ready and sharpened with folds of Damascus steel, layered by hand and ...

So, here's Cold Steel's version of an "economy" battle-ready sword.

The Warrior katana is a quality sword, just like you'd expect from Cold Steel. It's very similar to the Imperial series, actually. The blade is made from 1055 spring tempered high carbon steel (one of the toughest steels around) measuring 60-64 ...

Grab a napkin. Seriously. You'll need it to wipe the drool off your chin after taking in all that this Ryumon katana has to offer. It's a professional-grade sword with an elite decorative touch... much too handsome to use in battle.

We honestly can't find anything wrong with the way this sword was made. ...

The Sengoku General katana has a good balance of functionality and flair. If you're an art lover, an historian, or a collector of battle-ready swords, you shouldn't have any doubts as to whether or not it's a quality piece of work.

It's 28.5 inches in length, perfectly balanced, full tang, razor-sharp, and ...

This isn't a "flashy" sword. It's not overlaid with solid gold, or carved with intricate Japanese characters. But it is still a product of quality craftsmanship.

The noteworthiness comes from the battle-ready construction of its blade. The 27.5-inch blade is full-tang, made from one solid piece of high carbon steel, ...

This is a beautiful katana sword, designed to look great on any wall you mount it on, at 41 inches.

It's also fully functional, with a 24-inch double-edged blade that's sharpened with a blood groove.

The blade is made from superior quality 1050 high carbon steel, mirror polished for that extra touch. It measures just ...

This set of three throwing knives from Hibben was designed by Gil Hibben, renowned knife-maker, thrower and author of the Hibben Knife Throwing Guide

Each knife is made from a single piece 420 stainless steel and measures 12 1/8" overall in length.

They have an ergonomically designed handle to maximize grip ...

Valiant Armoury is known for producing real swords that are faithful to traditional designs while incorporating the newest and best materials.

All of their medieval swords and axes are based on historically correct designs, and the Avenger Battle Axe is no different.

It sports a hand hammered forged carbon steel 9-1/2 inch primary ...

Pictured at right is an M-5 bayonet, designed to fit the M-1 Garand Rifle. It is an authentic, US military issued bayonet.

This bayonet style was issued first in 1953 and replaced the earlier M-1 and M-1905 bayonets. During the Korean war, those models were found to be awkward to manipulate in ...