Hanwei have always been around, or at least it always felt like it to me as a collector from the early 2000s.

Started in the 1990s by Paul Chen and later joined by his son Ron, they were the first company in far northern China (Dailan, Manchuria) to try to make functional, real Japanese swords with models like the Shinto and the affordable real Katana ever, the Practical Katana and PPK, both which still hold up as good and as well made swords 40 years later...

But this al leads us to an unfortunate series of events that started with a factory fire in 2011 and then finally, well, rather than paraphrase - here is the official announcement:

BUT ITS FAR FROM 'THE END'

But while the Forge and Factory itself may be closing, this is far from the end of Hanwei's legacy. Many of the talented artisans who contributed to Hanwei's renowned craftsmanship are moving to Frenchie Jin's Dragon King on the other side of town in Dailan. Frenchie Jin, the original engineer behind Hanwei's exceptional products, will be joined by these skilled individuals to continue producing outstanding swords and had already been working together since Dragon Kings inception.

Some models will be lost forever, some back sooner than expected, and new ones will always be around the corner...

THE LAST OF THE 'ORIGINALS' - FINAL SALES

A final shipment just arrived of swords from the closed forge, and stock is already being gobbled up fast as no one is certain exactly what will come back or if this is the last chance.. We are doing our best to keep our store up to date with all remaining stock as it goes out, so take advantage of our always super fair super low prices and support us and Hanwei one final time before it continues its journey in new and exciting directions..

Some of the rarest new arrivals - come in for the last time..

ORCHID TANTO

RENAISSANCE DAGGER

TANG JIAN

Positive sword stories to counter some of the negative Nancy hoplophic nonsense out there these days that passes for 'news'

Roman Era sword found in Poland

You just never know where a Roman blade might turn up, considering how much of the world they covered at one point or other. This one appears to be a cavalry Spatha. And yup, it was found with metal detectors..

Weapons collections and kids - good advice?

Matthew is a 6 year old boy whose dad collects the same kind of swords we like. I.e. real ones. The problem is, Matthew freaks out that he can't play with them. The advice was fairly lame, make toy swords with him, play with boffers, take him to JSA or MMA.. What do you think is the best solution, because I know by the time I was 6 I had already damaged some of my Uncles weapons collection..

Really cool metallurgical study of some Viking Swords

You have to download the PDF (but no membership or fees, safe source) but the images and information of this metallurgical study by Dr. Allen Williams but the Ulfberht swords in particular are particularly fascinating..

What it feels like Kendo training the first time

Ever wondered what to expect from and what a first time visit to a Kendo class feels like? This article gives you a peek behind the scenes from a dojo in Chennai, India.

A golden Samurai helmet for Trump from Japan

The Japanese government tributes President trump with a stunning piece of Japanese craftsmanship, a Samurai helmet in gold.

Samurai Tourism? Yup, it's a thing - and getting bigger in 2025!

I always knew the opportunity was there. But Japan is finally beginning to really capitalize on its Samurai history and Samurai Tourism isn't always as lame as you might expect...

In nearly every issue of the digest there is a news article about some lucky so and so finding an ancient sword in every part of the world where, well, where ancient swords were found. But could you do the same? Maybe you live near a battle-site or are just curious how the pros do it, so let's take a look behind the scenes..

Where to Find Ancient Swords

1. Battlefields and Military Sites: Picture yourself wandering through the serene fields of Europe, where knights once clashed in epic battles. Places like the Battle of Hastings site in England or the medieval battlegrounds of France and Germany are hotspots for sword hunting.
2. Historical Settlements: Ancient ruins, castles, and forgotten villages are treasure troves waiting to be explored. Think Italy, Greece, or even Japan—places with rich histories and countless hidden weapons.
3. Riverbeds and Lakes: Ever wondered about those old tales of swords being cast into water as offerings? Dive into the shallows with a waterproof detector, and you might just find a submerged relic in rivers or lakes.
4. Trade Routes: Travel back in time along ancient trade routes. Whether it’s the Silk Road or Viking pathways in Scandinavia, these routes are brimming with history and potential finds.

The Treasure Hunter’s Toolkit

1. Research, Research, Research: Before embarking on your adventure, immerse yourself in historical records, maps, and legends. Knowing where to look is half the battle!
2. High-Tech Metal Detectors: Modern detectors are like magic wands, with features that differentiate between metals and help you zero in on your prize. Ground balancing, discrimination, and depth indicators are just a few of the wizardry tools at your disposal.
3. Permission and Regulations: Always seek permission from landowners or authorities before starting your hunt. Many countries have strict laws about metal detecting and artifact preservation.
4. Excavation Mastery: Once you get that tantalizing beep, it’s time to dig! Carefully excavate with tools like brushes and sieves to ensure you don’t damage your precious find. Patience and a gentle touch are your best allies.

Are You Allowed to Keep Your Finds?

So, you’ve unearthed an ancient sword—congratulations! But can you keep it?

It depends on where you are:

• United States: Generally, if you have permission from the landowner, you can keep what you find. However, some states have specific laws about historic artifacts.Check it all out properly first if you plan on doing this not just for fun, but for profit.
• United Kingdom: Treasure hunters must report significant finds to the local authorities, but you may be rewarded and could end up sharing ownership with the landowner. That may or may not be worth taking it on the road, after all - the less swords in the U.K. the happier they will be right... (sigh).
• Europe: Rules vary by country. In places like Germany and Italy, you must report finds to the authorities. Some countries have stricter laws and might require you to hand over the artifact to museums. This means, some of the best finds are not going to be something you can sell or take home. So again, depends on your motivations.
• Asia: Countries like Japan (especially) and China have stringent laws about removing historical artifacts, so always check local regulations. South East Asia may be more lax, but sadly you are more likely to need your metal detector to find land mines before you even think about swords..

In a nutshell, metal detecting is more than just a hobby; it’s a journey through time. Armed with the right tools and a sense of adventure, you can uncover stories long forgotten and breathe new life into ancient swords. So, ready to embark on your treasure hunt? Let the adventure begin!

Or you can just fake it and buy or sell them on eBay (see below)...

When we see a bargain we usually don't report it in the Digest, that's not the focus of what this newsletter is about. But sometimes, ya just have to do the community a favor..

One lucky person is going to be, er, out of a lot of money (and the other guy, should - jail).

Warning, if you click the link you WILL be rick rolled. Just a friendly warning.. ;-)

It's a slightly older video by Shad, but one WELL worth watching. When a $100 Katana breaks, it's no shock really - but not to embarrass or single out the experts in particular whose fails are on display, but for high end smith swords to fail the way some of these do...

Yeah...

Just goes to show you that with swords, get to know each one well, and don't always reply on price or exclusivity alone as an indication of functionality or durability, that's for sure..

Forumites name our next line of medieval swords!

They are due this month, but to make it interesting, we invited SBG forumites to give 6 new budget medieval swords from an upcoming brands a name. See the swords and the names picked here.

New supplier of high quality Koshirae

After the loss of so many Japanese sword furniture makers recently, it's great to see a new budget Chinese option appear with some very attractively made and finished Koshirae.

Saya rattle - deal with it and calm down...!

I've lost count of folk dismissing good swords as sub par rubbish because the saya makes a noise when you shake it. Why it's silly, and if this is the best people can complain about with Katana these days, we are very lucky indeed.

Couldn't help myself - comments on Ronin Arming Sword..

They asked about opinions of Ronin Katana's European swords. Just had to chime in - well considering rule changes that certain dishonored or proven to be unreliable brands be immune from protection and criticism on the the forum as applies for all large and well respected sword brands and makers.. More on this later.