As regular subscribers to the digest will know, this year has seen the sword industry facing unprecedented challenges. And as we mentioned in the last issue, "odds are it will get worse before it gets better" and that certainly seems to be the case.

But despite the odds, new swords and special deals are at least keeping it afloat for the time being.

At our end, we have been liaising with several major Longquan based sword forges who are getting quite desperate for sales. Few, if any, re-orders have been coming their way as most sword sellers are quite well stocked, but can't lower the prices any further (indeed, they have been absorbing many recent price rises and inflationary pressures, so in many cases discounting heavily to try and generate sales would result in a final sell off before a total industry collapse). But with projects like Forge Direct, we have negotiated some very steep discounts on unique Chinese sword designs that are about to become impossible to source - and have a sale from 30-40% off many of our classic Forge Direct Chinese models.

Here's three of the swords currently on closeout that I think are the best deals of the bunch - check out the full line up by clicking the link above:

Rosewood Dao

$599.99 - 40%

$359.99

Yue Maiden

$810.00 - 40%

$486

Dragon Feathersteel

$1,599.99 - 40%

$959.99

At the same time, realizing that the sword market is hungry for quality sub $300 swords more than ever before, a true classic sword brand, Legacy Arms, is being reworked over the course of the year - changing from one to several suppliers to ensure more reliable stock levels and improving overall quality without a price increase. So we are very much looking forward to see how it all pans out.

This month, we will also see Dragon King stepping it up several levels - both with some sale events, but also with some cool new releases such as the Modern Katana and the Modern Tanto, two Japanese style blades that are made using very modern methods and materials in a very practical and tactical style that is a refreshing change from all the other tactical style swords and blades that have appeared on the market in recent years. And speaking of Tactical swords, APOC also has three new blades, with the one I am personally most excited about being the Tactical Jian (though the survival Tanto and the Sirupate Kukri are also very cool).

Plus we have also seen Swords of Northshires Custom Katana series become even more refined with a very cool new custom sword generator where you can see your design actually taking shape before your eyes - something SBG had wanted to see on the market for many years, so it is refreshing to see that despite the downturn and troubles, the industry is tenacious and refuses to lie down and give up.

Unfortunately though, international shipping seems to becoming more problematic and prohibitive than ever before, which will likely have the effect of creating localized domestic market hubs - and probably with crazy high local prices to boot..

Let's hope that over time non US local domestic markets can get a little competitive so sword buyers around the world can still get a good deal.

Rare Medieval Sword Found in 2022 goes on display

Found in June of last year in France, a 14th-15th century medieval Longsword in surprisingly good condition has finally gone on display in the Amiens museum for at least the next 5 years. Find out its background and how it came to be so well preserved.

Gandalf's Glamdring Sword and its rich backstory

An Elven blade befitting a King, the sword Glamdring ("Foe-hammer") sword was found by Gandalf during his adventures from 'the Hobbit' - but what kind of sword is it and why was it able to stand up to the iconic showdown with the Balrog? Explore its fantastical history in this well written article by gamerant.com

14th Century BC Bronze sword found in exceptional condition

Even after over 3000 years after being buried in Germany, this stunning bronze sword with complex octagonal hilt is so well preserved it still shines. While its provenance is still being researched, it is a very rare find to be in such good condition after three millennia of lying buried.

Daggers and mercy blows of love during the crusades..

We have all heard of 'tough love' before, but did you know that the medieval dagger was often used to dispatch a foe before the horrors of lockjaw from Tetanus set in on the battlefield? Quite a lengthy and detailed article documenting the history and the many surprising uses of the dagger during the early medieval period in Europe.

Medieval manuscript reveals what minstrels actually sang and joked about..

Monty python may have actually been pretty close to the truth - a recently uncovered medieval manuscript reveals what minstrels actually sang and joked about, including parodies of a sermon that extols the virtues of heavy drinking and mocks the high and mighty of the lands. "Brave brave sir Robin" may actually have been close to a genuine minstrel song!

Months of cleaning still required for massive Japanese sword find

Found last year, the largest Japanese sword ever found intact still requires many months of cleaning and restoration after centuries buried in the ground. Find out more details about this fascinating sword and its scabbard, unusual 'snake like' design and more in this asahi.com article.

Diablo 4 sword nomencalure is seriously messed up...

It may be a cool continuation of the Diablo franchise, but redditors have noted that the names of the sword types are seriously messed up. The right names are there, but just not matched to the corresponding sword.. Not exactly a deal breaker, but can break immersion for those more historically minded..

The REAL sword in the stone

Before turning his back on a life of violence, the Italian knight Galgano Guidotti became a hermit monk in repentance in 1180 and somehow plunged his sword into a stone that has been near impossible to remove. How he did this remains a mystery to this day..!

Thanks for reading the July edition of the Sword Buyers Digest. Let's hope that this month the industry can begin to turn a corner and the new swords and special offers are enough to keep it going in these unpredictable and difficult times.

Until next month, stay safe, be well and Happy Swordening!

• Paul

Sword Buyers Guide.com