high carbon Knives, Swords, Blades

SOG's Woodline WD-50 Folder fits in a belt pouch, not in the pocket. For a compact survival knife large enough to make difference, that's a very sensible idea -- pocket clip styles get snagged on brush and disappear.

The Woodline WD-50 keeps the unusual styling of SOG's other Woodline civilian ...

Knife designers Chris Reeves and William W. Harsey Jr. collaborated on the technical details of the Gerber LHR Urban Combat Knife, but Matt Larsen -- an expert in close quarters combat -- also contributed some unusual ideas. Larsen studied hundreds of actual combat encounters before finalizing the LHR concept. ...

The Chicago Cutlery Signature series uses full tang construction with blades ground from the same blank of stamped high carbon stainless steel. The handle shape and grip is completely formed from the slabs of American black walnut hardwood fixed to the tang with three solid brass rivets. Blades ...

The Global 6-Piece Knife Block Set is a great way to jump up to the higher standards of Global knives with a basic but versatile assortment of important blades. The set includes knives from both the G and GS series plus a stainless steel knife block with room ...

One of three Adventure series knives released by Kabar in 2010, the Kabar Adventure Baconmaker satisfies anybody who likes a knife with great style but treats their tools a little rough. This pigsticker can take it.

Adventure series knives developed from a partnership with knife designer Steve Johnson, the field editor of ...

The Sword of Galbatorix recreates the battle sword of the evil Dragon Rider King from the story Eragon. Beginning as the first literary effort of a fifteen-year-old author, the epic story of Eragon progressed from daydream to self-published book and eventually to a well-known mainstream fantasy novel and movie.

This reproduction ...

Patterned after a sword used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in his first starring role as Conan the Barbarian, the Conan Barbarian Sword has been reproduced in many levels of quality over the years. This is one of the least expensive which still shows accurate detail.

You won't find combat quality steel in this ...

As part of the company's 125th Anniversary celebration, Victorinox reissued this classic version of its first Soldier knife. Manufactured for the Swiss Army beginning in 1891, the Soldier knife was the first multi-purpose pocket knife developed in Switzerland. Its assortment of practical blades outfitted the modern infantryman of the day with ...

The Boy Scout version of the Victorinox Swiss Army Explorer features the same versatile set of blades and tools and includes the emblem of the Boy Scouts of America on the red Cellidor handle.

The Explorer's tools will interest solitary travelers as well as troop members. Only 3-1/2 ...

If you've ever been disappointed by a replica sword which didn't hold up to a practice swing, you'll be pleased with the Practical Viking Sword from CAS Hanwei. Built with re-enactment and stage applications in mind, it's made for hitting and toned down just a little for safety reasons.

Swords ...

Blade Magazine presented Columbia River Knife & Tool with the 2009 Most Innovative Imported Design award, earned by CRKT's Flux knife and tool combination system. Whether your frontier is the city or the country, you'll find a useful combination to tailor to your own pursuits.

Although the Flux tools ...

Winner of Blade Magazine's 2009 Collaboration of the Year award, the Spyderco Bob T. Slip-It -- also known as the Spyderco Terzuola -- combines Spyderco's popular folding clip design with Bob Terzuola's improved slip joint. If you want a knife with traditional action but modern features, the Slip-It is the ...

The Henckels Twin Pro S 3-Inch Paring Knife with serrated cutting edge should be teamed up with a good plain-edged paring knife, but there definitely are kitchen tasks where the serrated blade excels. Just don't expect peeling cuts to be smooth and flawless when clawed by this little beast.

Where you ...

Kit Rae describes the Black Legion War Axe as one of the two fearsome axes wielded by the Barumen, the monstrous soldiers of the Black One. In the fantasy history which inspired the Swords of the Ancients series by United Cutlery, the Barumen evolved from a strange genetic mixture ...

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie Predator, a detailed replica of the machete used by Dutch Shaefer (played by Arnold Schwartzennegger) and his commando squad was released in a limited production run of 10,000 pieces. This is not one of them.

Built narrower and lighter than the signature version ...

The Paul Defender from Lone Wolf Knives won Blade Magazine's 2009 award for Overall Knife of the Year. Termed the Gentleman's Tactical Folder by the manufacturer, the Defender is a collaboration between Lone Wolf's designers and Paul Poehlmann, inventor of the Paul Axiel lock.

What you'll notice first is ...

Credit card knives usually don't include much steel or much functionality, but the SOG Access Card 2.0 Knife is very impressive for a low profile cutter. Only 3/16 inches thick without the pocket clip, this tactical black folder opens and closes with one hand and even provides a ...

Wusthof makes this Classic 5-Inch Soft Cheese Knife with most of the same strong features as the knives the company builds for tougher jobs. That means more control and more forgiveness from the blade, if you tackle just a little more than you thought you did.

Because soft cheese knives are ...

Boning knives like the Wusthof Classic 4-Inch Boning knife aren't always included in block knife sets and aren't usually the first knife recommended for the beginning chef. The design is much like the filet knife used on fish, but created especially for separating tougher meat from bone. Wusthof's ...

The nine different sizes of this Competition Wushu Broadsword from Dragon Well Forge in Lungchuan, China, provide any student of smaller physical stature with a properly fitted and IWF-approved weapon. Constructed with women in mind, this series of swords differs from the men's version only in overall length and weight.

Anyone ...

One of the many legendary and often magical weapons from the Lord of the Rings saga, the Sword of Isildur would make an excellent display piece for the fantasy weapon collector. Less ornate than many LOTR blades, the Sword of Isildur looks like it was built for combat.

United ...

More than a folding knife and not quite a fixed blade, the SOG Speciality Knives & Tools FX21-N Revolver SEAL shows some of the good features of both. Both knife and saw blades were ground from the same strong bar of 440A high carbon stainless steel.

The basics of the ...

Slightly over six feet long, this fantasy weapon doesn't exactly match traditional patterns -- but if your traditions include comic books and anime, you'll find the Black Dragon Spear familiar.

The black steel spearhead catches the eye immediately and includes some extra cutting edges that hint at old halberd ...

Definitely a nice display piece for those interested in fantasy weaponry, the Savage Celtic Spear from Bud K. appears too advanced to be truly savage. The worksmanship is artistic, not crude nor functional.

Pole arms must be one of the most difficult of the old weapons to duplicate well ...

Ka-Bar made the FIN Folding Frame Lock Knife in both drop point and tanto blade styles and offered a choice of combo-serrated or plain edges on each version. This combo-serrated drop point FIN offers very little plain edge for fine cutting. Make sure it fits your purposes.

Open length of the ...

Wusthof builds the Classic Steak Knife with the same care devoted to its larger prep knives. High quality Solingen steel blades and classically styled handles match many contemporary dining patterns and work efficiently as good steak knives should.

Many of the features of the four knives in the Classic ...

The strange sword you see here is the magical counterpart or zanpakuto of the merely physical sword called Wabisuke. In the popular manga Bleach, this unusual weapon is wielded by Izuru Kira, one of the more popular characters in the series.

Growing up in the world just beyond this one, ...

The virtual assassins among us will appreciate this straightforward battle sword. Visually, this display-quality weapon is a good match for the best weapon in Assassin's Creed II.

Carried by the assassin hero Altair as the game begins, Altair soon loses the rights to this high-level weapon as a result of breaking ...

One of a series of hunting and caping knives designed for Columbia River Knife and Tool by Alaskan hunter and guide Russ Kommer, the 2760 Chugach Range Utility Hunting knife is such a good-looking blade that it's a shame to call it a utility knife. With a beautifully styled ...

This 8-inch forged bread knife from Victorinox is a perfect size for small loaves, bagels, and rolls, but not quite enough blade for large homemade breads. If you do a lot of sandwich prep, it's a handy tool and more than enough knife.

The serrated edge of this blade isn't ...

Trademark Global's 3-Piece Sushi Knife set has everything the high-end Asian knives offer except the best steel. If you're an expert at sharpening knives, you may find this budget-priced assortment good enough.

The shapes offered are traditional and intended only for sushi. Although they may look like European ...

This basic Victorinox 7-Piece Knife Block Set includes four useful knives from the stamped steel and Fibrox line of Victorinox cutlery. Lightweight but high quality, these practical knives are one of the best cutlery bargains available.

Aside from the standard block set tools of kitchen shears and honing steel, ...

Built for work but good enough for show, the Bear & Son 247R Rosewood Large Stockman knife holds three important blade styles. Originally developed to suit the needs of frontier wranglers and farmers, the blade selection is just as practical for those of us who no longer work ...

The Samurai Warrior 3000 Katana from United Cutlery embodies a design from the distant future when plasmium swords represent the best weapons of the samurai path. Although United Cutlery released only a little information about this interesting weapon, a truly functional combat version would apparently require knowledge of advanced ...

The 15-piece Knife Block Set from Anolon gives good value but a strange mix of old-fashioned features and modernistic all-stainless design. The knife assortment includes six of the most used prep knives and a matching set of six all-stainless-steel steak knives, enough for the average kitchen 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 ...

Another of the unique swords in the Japanese manga series Bleach, this interesting blade is the personal weapon of Kenpachi Zaraki, a powerful supernatural warrior and captain of the 11th Division of the Soul Reapers. Set far in Japan's future and well into a fantastic afterlife, Bleach follows a war ...

The Shun Elite 9-piece block set is a top-quality selection of professional knives which really are beautifully designed. Stylish black pakkawood handles embellished with a samurai crest add to the set's style, but you'll want more than just good looks if you're buying at the top ...

This three-knife set from Chicago Cutlery's Fusion series updates a classic forged knife pattern with a sleek, modern look. These three prep knives could be a practical first step in setting up a kitchen. Although the look is modern, details are definitely old school.

With a 7-3/4-inch chef's knife backed ...

The Stratofighter might slip past your notice if you saw it on a display shelf. It's angular and ungainly and not designed with beauty in mind, but there are some excellent tactical features in this heavy folder. In fact, if you need a pocket clip folder with the functionality of a ...

If not for the half-serrated cutting edge, the Bear & Son 444SR Guthook knife would be a serviceable and economical knife for deer and smaller game. Because the serrations will be tough to keep sharp without professional help, it's a much better choice for the boat than ...

Made in Alabama by Bear & Son Cutlery, this pocket slip joint folder shows that, even with simple knife styles, the people at Bear & Son take time to think.

Four inches long when closed, this sleek pocket knife holds two clip point blades nearly identical in pattern. ...

The subdued look of this Tai Chi straight sword from Dragon Well Forge of Lung Chuan, China, gives the weapon an almost antique appearance. Satin polish on the hardwood scabbard and handle blend well with the low luster of the solid brass fittings.

The Dragon Well Forge tai chi sword really ...

The CIA's Masters Collection Hyde Park 7-Piece Block set was designed by the master chefs on the faculty of the Culinary Institute of America. This non-profit culinary training college has sixty years of experience and gains some financial support by field-testing professional cutlery on-site in training kitchens and the ...

The 17 items in this Forged Knife Block Set from Victorinox (maker of the famous Swiss Army Knife in its many forms) do cover most needs in the kitchen as well as during dining service. Eight fine steak knives make the major difference between this set and the efficient ...

This cutlass-style sword from Bud K. shows the flair of a blade from Prince of Persia -- but buy it for its good looks, not historical accuracy.

The brass pommel, hardwood grip, and brass handguard place this 46-1/2-inch-long sword a level or two above the usual fantasy sword. Lack of plastic ...

The Bear & Son 205R Midsize Lockback with rosewood handle slabs does resemble the Buck 110, but Bear & Son always do things their own way, and those differences show up plainly here.

The 205R's 3-3/4-inch blade of high carbon stainless steel looks a little undersized compared to ...

Al Mar's Falcon Ultralight Folding Knife does not have the stripped-down look of minimal back country knives. This pocket clip folder works like heavier counterparts with extra features you'd not expect in a knife that weighs only 1.25 ounces.

The Falcon's overall length of just over 7 inches includes ...

Much of the work that produced this 8-piece Knife Block Forged set from Victorinox actually happened in Solingen, the cutlery capitol of Germany. Forged from German high carbon stainless steel, the knives undergo final shaping and polishing in Switzerland.

The fundamentals of these knives match the quality of ...

If you're a wizard looking for a good sword that's bargain priced, or even if you're a sword collector with a penchant for interesting weapons of good quality, check out the Wizard's Medieval Sword of Fury and Might. While its origins are speculative (I've not been able to ...