The eight-inch Gourmet Carving Knife from Wusthof of Solingen, Germany, slices even large cuts of meat and poultry with precision. Laser-cut steel offers both economy and consistent value in this very modern series from a trusted German company.

What used to be considered stamped and cheap has become one of the ...

First produced by Ka-Bar in 2006, the U.S. Army version of the Vietnam Commemorative Knife is the real thing, with a little added decoration. The 7-inch bowie style blade and stacked leather handle match the well known Ka-Bar fighting knife pattern that has been standard issue for American military since ...

Only 19 ounces in weight, the 26-inch Petzl Summit offers full-size strength and a design with a few important improvements over the simple mountaineer's ice axe with straight shaft. The Summit's strong aluminum shaft, covered with a tough rubberized coating for improved grip and warmth, includes a curved upper ...

In the progression from wooden training sword to the real combat weapon, this sword ranks low -- just above wood in quality. For beginners, it's still a reasonable choice, built for learning movements rather than strikes. The heavy handguard and pommel as well as the blade itself are chrome-plated steel. The weight ...

Made from a solid rod of chrome vanadium stainless steel and embedded with a matrix of fine industrial diamonds, this unusual honing steel was developed for the Global knives manufactured by Yoshikin of Japan. Global recommends sharpening with their series of ceramic powder stones, an improvement over the Japanese ...

These Twin Tai Chi Swords from Tiger Claw feature hardwood handles with a matching wooden scabbard. Blades are chrome plated steel, with identical materials forming hilt, pommel, and scabbard fittings. Built light for less strain on wrist and arm in practice, the blades were not intended for combat or striking. These ...

The design and appearance of this Twin Wushu Broadsword set from Tiger Claw is a good match for the heavier combat broadsword set which inspired it. Much lighter than the combat swords, these chromed steel broadswords are equal in length but not in weight or quality of steel.

Designed for forms ...

In the ancient world the threat of attacks by tigers, lions and other large predators was very real. Weapons -- including the Tiger Fork Trident -- evolved to fit the challenge. Once classed as a heavy weapon, the lethal points of the trident could intercept and hold an attacking beast, keeping ...

One of the important cavalryman's weapons of old China, the Dragon Head Kwan Dao resembled the Pu Dao or Horse Cutter Sword of the infantry. Heavier and with a more pointed blade designed for thrusting from horseback as well as for slashing movements at charging speed, the base of the Kwan Dao's ...

I can accept that training weapons shouldn't be combat level for beginning level training. Wushu routines stress acrobatics and weapons handling and often require lighter versions of the traditional weapons. But a good wushu weapon still looks like the real thing and has to retain the weapon's original ...

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 ...

Though this isn't the forged pattern many expect from the established German knifemakers like Wusthof, there's quality here of a different kind. Streamlined methods and improved steel alloys create knives which are lighter and thinner than the old builds. One piece of chrome molybdenum vanadium steel makes both blade and ...

From Tramontina of Brazil, this 7-piece professional cutlery block set will impress you with its solidly drop forged full tang blades. Many modern manufacturers use thinner blade stock that results in lighter knives. These old style blades could be more than you need for many prep and slicing tasks, but there's little chance ...

Flexible weapons like the rope dart are often described as the most difficult kung fu weapons to learn. The heavy chromed steel dart at the end of this soft eleven foot rope can be thrown and retrieved like a whip, used to wrap up an opponent's weapon, or spun as a ...

Lots of weapons are called rare and exotic, but this one really is rare. The Yuen Yang Razors, also called Bagua Rooster Knives, must never have been extremely popular in old China where they developed. Today they're seldom seen even in chop-socky martial arts movies. I've usually come across them ...

Strictly for practice, the two Deer Antler knives in this set feature rounded tips and dulled edges designed to reduce the number of self-inflicted injuries in training. Even with chrome plated steel, the Deer Antler or Crescent Moon blades can be dangerous. This training set measures fourteen inches across ...

The Bark River Golog brings the traditional machete of Indonesia to the North Woods of America. One pound in weight, the 17 5/8" bushcraft knife has been reduced in size but not in strength--it's forged from chrome vanadium tool steel nearly a quarter inch thick. ...

This beautiful dark spirited sword from Cas Iberia, now produced by Hanwei Forge, brings quality close to that of battle ready weapons to a display blade. The hand-and-a-half design of this close quarters weapon is true to form, patterned after swords in use in fifteenth century Europe. With ...

This lightweight and unique spear was designed for wushu rather than combat. The hand forged steel blade is chrome plated to resist corrosion and keep the good looks important to that style of martial gymnastics.

Although this 77" spear has been toned down a bit from the combat version, ...

We've got strong opinions about Chef's knives around here. Check out our guide to kitchen knives on a budget to get an overview, but we tend to recommend Japanese knives like Shun or, if you're on a budget, Tojiro. If you're insistent on German knives, Messermeister is ...

Santokus have become wildly popular over the past several years. Perhaps it's the novelty of using an Asian-style blade. Or perhaps it's the celebrity chefs that push them at every turn.

Truth is, they are versatile knives that belong in every kitchen. What they're not is an all-purpose knife that should ...