- This is a premium source of historically accurate Western Swords and Armor.
- B // Has an interesting FAQ
- http://www.armor.com/
- Budget about $500.00 or so.
- This is a premium source of Japanese Swords.
- A- to A+ // $3,000.00 to $3,000,000.00
- http://www.tokyoweb.or.jp/aoi-art/catalogue/swordcat/swordcat.html
- Some of the blade offered are excellent swords that will not break in normal use and that are made of appropriate steel. Naked and custom blades are often available. Kris Cutlery is the benchmark for its grade.
- C+ (esthetic and other flaws, but fine, functional swords). // $75.00 and up (bare blades and with furnishings) // $150.00 and up (swords with furnishings).
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A review of their katana by WarAngel
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- As for their Chinese Gim (straight sword) [review].
- Let me note that I have bought a number of Kris products and am happy with all of them.
- Excellent wall-hangers. They produce the official Highlander Sword, with a full tang that is well known for its routine habit of breaking. They are the benchmark for their grade. If you want an authorized reproduction (often not historically or otherwise accurate), this is the place to go.
- D+ -- the best of the stainless steel, routinely breaking, but nice looking swords. // $300.00 and up.
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http://www.brightblades.com/martoindex.html
BTW, Brightblades sells some real swords as well as having great prices on the various MRL licensed works (e.g. Highlander, Robert Jordan Wheel of Time, etc.). Brightblades is not a Marto only shop.
- Del Tin is extremely well regarded. For European Swords I think it is appropriate to state that Del Tin sets the mark for what defines a solid "B" (as in above average, meets or exceeds every requirement). You can not go wrong buying a Del Tin.
- B // (see the links below). Budget about $350.00 to $400.00.
- http://www.fantasycutlery.com/swords/deltin/deltin.htm -- an excellent selection at great prices. See also http://albionarmorers.com/
- http://www.italpro.com/deltin/ -- the official Del Tin of Italy web site catalog.
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- Well regarded.
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B //
$499.00$630.00 (price set by CAS Iberia). They aggressively police the pricing. This sword is of forged steel, acceptable esthetics, but not a cored blade. Often misrepresented by vendors. - Contact http://www.casiberia.com/ or http://www.twilights-door.com (to see the proof in my statement that people do go out of business).
- http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/cas/shinto.html
- For a more expensive version, by the same smith (Chen) visit the frame limited site, http://www.japanesesword.com/
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- Well regarded, excellent work. As good a rating as a living smith can get <g>.Randal has an excellent polite explanation of why he does not work in stainless steel.
- B+ // $1,000.00 to $3,000.00 Durable and Strong Blades at excellent prices (ok, some are even less expensive, down to $350.00 or so).
- Remember, all people in this line of work are artists, not businessmen, motivated by a love of steel.
- A friend of his (Howard Clark *) who does good work, clean hamon lines, http://www.mvforge.com/ -- and is very well regarded by international collectors.
- Another smith who does well regarded, excellet work.
- Remember, all people in this line of work are artists, not businessmen, motivated by a love of steel.
- B+ // from $500.00 and up.
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- Reasonable prices, D+ -- better than average for its kind and completely serviceable.
- White Knight's Sword is an excellent broadsword at an incredibly good price ($130.00) for a real sword, heat treated and tempered. Note, the point of percussion is forged blunt which makes it even better as a beginner's sword.
- See it on the list with the other fantasy swords <g>. If you want an old fashioned broadsword like Conan or a similar hero might have carried, look at this sword.
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- Work of Art http://www.a-work-of-art.sitehosting.net/ sells both Del Tin and custom work by Arthur A. Elwell of Fair Oaks, Ca.
- B to B+, from $300.00 and up.
- Excellent esthetics and reputation. Specialty hilts, sheaths, etc.
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This is a page of extra vendor links.