Estwing solved the ancient riddle of how to make an axe handle that won't break by forging the entire tool from steel. The Estwing Sportsman's Hatchet brings the durability of a fine steel-shanked carpenter's hammer to the campsite in this 16-inch-long and nearly 2-1/2-pound camping tool.

Forged from high carbon ...

The Ames True Temper Landscaping Axe could be considered the civilian version of the Pulaski Firefighting Tool used by smoke jumpers and other wilderness workers to clear trails and firebreaks. The model used by the U.S. Forest Service is heavier than the Ames, but this lighter version ...

The average single bit axe sold today runs about three and a half pounds, so the steel-handled Estwing Camper's Axe is heavier than normal in spite of the compact 26-inch length. With a cutting edge of 4 inches and some streamlining of the high carbon tool steel head, the ...

If you need a knife heavy enough for chopping wood, the Ka-Bar 14-1/4-inch Bowie could be a match. The tactical black high carbon 1085 steel blade is flat ground and tempered to Rockwell 55 to 57 -- it's a strong edge that will even hold up to rocks without ...

The 11 Piece Carving Set from Two Cherries includes tools for both relief and chip carving. A good choice for beginners and for expert carvers who need to replace tools or expand collections, the Two Cherries set features forged blades of high carbon tool steel hardened to Rockwell 61 ...

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Whether you're trying to break into the Professional Lumberjack circuit or want an excellent tool for the homestead, the Lumberjack Competition Axe from ProChainsaw is the right choice. At 5.4 pounds it may seem heavy -- if all you've ever used before is an ordinary hardware store version. Those are toys. This ...

The Two Cherries 5 Piece Palm-Handled Carving set includes five high quality tools for detailing and small scale relief carvings plus a five-pocket leather pouch for storage.

These small carving tools show some of the same features of full-sized gouges and chisels intended for heavier work. Forged bolsters and ferruled ...

Ka-Bar's Black Cutlass Machete reaches back to the roots of both designs, coming up with a new approach that works well for modern campers and adventurers. The 16-1/2-inch rat tail tang knife -- with 11 inches of 1085 high carbon steel cutting edge -- chops brush, slashes rope, and in ...

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 ...

Finally, a serious boot/neck knife from Cold Steel -- previous offerings from that renowned self-defense company were not always up to Cold Steel's no-nonsense standards. This tanto-style knife, designed by Barry Dawson, is one of seven blade styles available and probably also the most sensible. The tanto blade was ...

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 ...

The classic black look of this Bushido 3-Piece Katana set is more in keeping with the character of that Japanese military tradition than are many of the colorful and garish sword sets created today for collection and display. Sleek black lacquered scabbards bound with black nylon cord complement ...

A replica sword of special interest to collectors and Civil War buffs, this cavalry saber recreates the sword carried by Confederate Colonel Jo Shelby on Shelby's Raid through the union state of Missouri after the Confederate victory at Wilson's Creek. This same model of cavalry saber saw action after the Civil ...

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 ...

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 ...

This Tai Chi Broadsword, forged in the district of Lung Chuan in China, possibly at the Shen family foundry, comes from a region legendary for its high quality weapons. Visitors to the district in recent times comment that it's still easy to find a good sword there, but it usually comes with ...

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 ...

Although the Dragon Katana Hand Forged Sword from Ryumon does catch your eye easily enough with a well-decorated scabbard and ornate fittings, be cautious if you expect this sword to be a good cutter. The steel used in the blade -- 1065 carbon steel -- could be excellent, depending on the quality ...

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 ...

Dating to the 11th century in Europe, the simple fullered sword Valiant Armoury recreates as the Norman Sword was one of the first European battle swords to feature a crossguard. Complex hilts built to both deflect an opponent's blade and protect the hand would come later. In the Norman design, a ...

Bear in mind as you heft the Black Prince Sword -- named in honor of Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales until his death in 1376 -- that this impressive 43-inch diamond cross-section sword is only the hand-and-a-half model. Two-handed broadswords were even heavier. With a sword like the Black ...

The Falchion took centuries to evolve from what was probably a butcher knife or kitchen cleaver pressed into emergency service into what became a cross between an ax and sword. The Medieval Falchion from Valiant Armoury is both an accurate reproduction of this old weapon and an example of how it ...

Tactical knives come and go, some great ideas and some wanna-bes. I admit I'm skeptical when I see that knives are advertised as "in the hands of top field agents right now!" That's an easy claim to make and tough to back up. The biographies of the founders of TOPS ...

Damascus steel hand-forged by master smith Manfred Sachse forms the two-inch blade of this mother-of-pearl handled gentleman's folder from Boker Knives of Solingen, Germany. Three hundred layers of high carbon steel give the blade exceptional toughness and edge-holding ability. Closed, the knife measures only 2-1/2 inches long, but the wide ...

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 ...

Good Tai Chi swords can be tough to find. Many manufacturers think they're nothing but toys or lightweight replicas. Real Tai Chi swords are very refined weapons, and if you don't have the real thing in hand, you have plenty of time to reflect on that as you learn ...

From Valiant Armoury of Grapevine, Texas, the Praetorian Sword was hand-forged in the Philippines in the style of the Roman Legion's Praetorian Guard main weapon: the gladius. This particular model takes inspiration from the Mainz gladius, which developed after that Roman camp was founded in Moguntiacum in 13 B.C. This sword ...

Do the words filet mignon, porterhouse, flat iron, sirloin, and delmonico stir your taste buds? If they do, you'll undoubtedly benefit from a good set of steak knives.

Let's be honest. The last thing you want is a lame knife when you've got a nice steak on your ...

For collectors of anime swords and for fanatical fans of the game Ninja Gaiden, this 42" katana will be a familiar friend. The mainstay weapon of hero Ryu Hayabusa, the Dragon Ninja Katana was essential to both victory and revenge. The original Dragon Sword was said to be ...

This bamboo cane sword, imported by Trademark Global, reproduces an old hidden weapon from Japan called the shikomizue. This particular type of weapon would have been a favorite of ninja agents skilled at concealment and disguise. Global's 41" bamboo stick sword, with a hidden 27 1/4" katana style blade ...

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 ...

This classic Ka-Bar military design has been only slightly modified from the original version, the mainstay fixed blade instrument of American military forces since WWII. The partially serrated blade makes rope cutting efficient and less dependent upon the sharpening skills of the user. That can be a bit of ...

Today it's easier to find a good sword in China than it is to find a good Chinese sword sheath. That holds true with this high carbon combat steel broadsword from Han Wei's "Practical" series. Although generally users of this sword are satisfied with the blade, they are as ...

Tanto blades look just plain dangerous, all angles and points and edges. They remind me a little bit of shark's teeth. It's a cultural thing, a remnant of old Japan in the blade style. An American fighting blade is nearly always a modern version of the Bowie ...

This classic fighting knife from Ka-Bar, first manufactured at the onset of WWII, has survived more than fifty years of industry changes unscathed. Look around you for other items with that longevity and you'll find only a few. Hammers, wrenches, and Ka-Bar knives head the list.

Ka-Bar makes several ...

Hiro Nakamura, a Japanese executive bored with modern life, suddenly develops the ability to travel in time, the audacity to do that, and as a result, the need for a good sword. He finds it on display in a museum.

While I do not recommend time travel, or liberating museum pieces ...

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 ...

The name Thiers-Issard embodies a sense of class and refined living when it comes to traditional shaving. Historically speaking, the company has been making quality products ever since the late 1800s, and still holds on to many of its manufacturing techniques. Many of these razors are mass-produced. But some still exist ...

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 ...

If I were to take a machete into the North American wilderness, I think I'd like one that was shorter and heavier than the jungle variety. Maybe something that would fit into a belt sheath, so I could use my hands for other things; something with a secure grip instead ...

As a sword enthusiast, if you ever wanted to have something in common with Tom Cruise, this is the way to do it. This is the official movie replica set for The Last Samurai, and as far as three-piece sets go, it's among our favorites so far! We 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 the final sword of Bleach's Ichigo, named Tensa Zangetsu, found on the Bleach anime series. Collectors really like to comment on its reserved design. Normally, Bleach swords in their final form have a lot of flair and decor, whereas the Tensa sword is the opposite. So they prefer to ...

You might be surprised to know that there are actually quite a few different King Leonidas Spartan swords floating around out there. The one you're looking at is a limited edition release of the sword's most popular model. But you'll also see knock-off versions made of solid wood, or coated ...

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 ...

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 ...

Cold Steel's Viking sword is pretty straightforward and features a few decorative touches. Mostly, though, it represents ancient Nordic history well.

Overall, the sword measures close to 37 inches, while the blade alone stretches out to 30.25 inches. This double-edged blade features a lengthy blood groove seen in Viking swords from later periods. It's made ...