battle ready Knives, Swords, Blades

The Practical Wakizashi from CAS Hanwei of China represents the smallest and least expensive true cutting katana of their extensive product line. Although you get a high quality blade made with a traditional tempering process, other parts of the construction are not what you'd expect in an authentic wakizashi.

If you buy ...

Hanwei Forge produced four different functional versions of the Zatoichi stick sword under the guidance of master smith Paul Chen. This traditional katana of folded steel and rosewood is the best of the four.

Hanwei Forge doesn't directly compare the quality of its swords to antique combat weapons. In many ...

This reproduction of the katana wielded by the immortal Scottish clansman Duncan Macleod in the Highlander saga could be one of the best swords ever produced by United Cutlery. Not the usual cheap reproduction, the Duncan MacLeod Katana is a hand-forged tempered katana of high carbon Damascus steel.

In fact, the blade ...

The Musashi Koga Ninja Katana Sword comes with plenty of interesting extra features. Some lend the weapon a little of the technical mystique that gave the ninjas their unusual reputation. The full tang sword is strongly built but lacks some of the refinements of combat quality weapons.

The simpler blade construction ...

The Masahiro Empire Wheel Samurai katana goes well past display quality, giving collectors and recreational users a beautiful weapon capable of tamashigiri, or functional cutting practice. The details of this starter level sword from Fully Handmade will impress blade lovers.

Fully Handmade does produce traditional hand-forged blades using the old and ...

In 2009, United Cutlery produced a limited run of only 1500 Gil Hibben Dragon's Lair Gold Editions Swords, and only a few haven't yet found their way into the hands of proud owners. Your last chance to acquire the pristine version of this gold-plated sword is coming soon.

Termed an ...

This fine competition-quality straight sword from Dragon Well Forge of Lungchuan, China, shows the same refinements as the men's version but in a size range tailored to a woman's smaller frame. Nine sizes provide the right fit for most kung fu students, while the appearance of the sword makes it ...

The fine craftsmanship of this competition broadsword from Dragon Well Forge of Lungchuan, China, makes this wushu weapon an excellent collector's piece. One of the best broadsword choices for training, this sword comes in nine different men's sizes. Check with your teacher for guidelines on fit, since proper length varies with ...

With quality similar to that of the designer's custom blades, this double-edged Tanto Yoroidoshi Dagger is actually a production version based on the work of Wally Hayes, a swordsmith from Ontario, Canada.

Manufactured for Ryumon Swords at the famous Longquan Village in mainland China, the Hayes Yoroidoshi Dagger was hand-forged by a ...

This 44-inch hand-forged katana from Masahiro has great potential as a functional cutter, but you won't know until you test it whether it lives up to reasonable expectations. Manufactured in China by one of several difficult-to-trace companies, the Masahiro brand intended to fill the needs of martial artists looking ...

Without the usual angular armor-piercing beveled point, the Hanwei Practical Plus Tanto Sword does look more like a short sword than a dagger. An overall length of 16-1/2 inches and an 11-inch-long single-edged blade show the true fighting potential of this ancient knife pattern.

Engineered by Hanwei Forge to be ...

Surprisingly well made, the Dragon Black Tanto #340 actually is the entry level tanto at Handmade Swords. Hand forged from 1045 high carbon steel and constructed with traditional materials, this tanto's hamon is polished on rather than clay-tempered. Aside from that, this beautiful knife is a combat-quality work of ...

Many of Cold Steel's better swords, like this Hand-and-a-Half Sword in black leather and steel, have the look and feel of good tools. Remaking old designs with new processes and materials, Cold Steel creates traditional weapons which aren't traditional. They just work.

A little of the art may have been ...

This functional stainless steel Medieval Fencing Sword isn't so much a replica as it is a modern counterpart to the medieval rapier. More angular in design, the handguard resembles the old fencing swords in concept but not in detail.

With strong construction and a secure grip, this modern fencing foil can't ...

This beautiful katana in the style of the weapon favored by the blind master Zatoichi -- the main character in a long series of popular Japanese films -- actually is not shirasaya. The sword cane of Japan was called shikomizue. Shirasaya referred to a plain wooden scabbard meant for storing ...

Although this modern version of the war hammer -- a weapon which brought down many armored knights on the battlefields of medieval Europe -- isn't pretty, this is still an impressive and combat-ready instrument of destruction. Cold Steel's practical defense weapons often look like farm tools, but they were ...

Even though it's price-competitive with many display-only swords, the Bushido Musashi Natural Shirasaya Sword was built for real work. If the cost of a genuine cutter has been holding you back, consider this entry-level blade from Musashi Swords. Nothing about it looks cheap, making it an excellent choice for display ...

This Musashi 1060 Shirakawa Katana combines hand forging and efficient machine processes to bring sword enthusiasts a functional cutter with classic features. At this level you'd expect an etched hamon -- this one is real, the mark of traditional clay edge tempering.

To many of us, a major factor in whether a ...

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 ...