Sword Buyers Digest:

Issue #189, May 2024

Welcome to this edition of the Digest newsletter!

Get ready to dive into all the latest and greatest news, updates, and insights - and find out what the heck is going on with out sword brothers and sisters 'across the pond' in the U.K. (sadly, it's not good news)..

So sit back, grab a mug or glass of your favorite beverage and catch up with everything going on in the sword world this month.

It's one thing to visit a museum to get first hand knowledge and experience seeing Japanese swords, weaponry and armor, but even better if you go with an expert. Here's an article showing how much more you can learn when you tour with the right person..

It was found in 1994 and dubbed 'Excalibur' because it was just sticking out of the ground waiting to be found. But after 30 years it has FINALLY been identified as a rarely preserved Islamic sword from the 10th century Spanish Muslim wars.

Science Fiction style Carbon Nano-tube swords coming soon?? Maybe..

Recent advances in metullurgy have made a breakthrough on super tough, super light weight and carbon neutral Carbon Nano-tube steels.. It's still going to be a while before such a steel is produced commercially, but keep an eye on this space..

Grilling meat in a public place with a sword, what could possibly go wrong?

Using a sword to grill your meat in a public place with a shopping cart while using bud-light to fuel the fire was pretty much bound to end in a less than stellar manner.. Thankfully no swords were harmed in this oddball incident..

Documentaries to watch after the Shogun finale..

If you enjoyed the Shogun remake series, you might be wondering where to get your next fix from and dive deep with some cool Samurai documentaries. Here are some recommendations.

Coming soon to Netflix "Last Samurai Standing" manga adaptation

Not to be left out and completely outdone by the wildly popular Shogun remake, Netflix Japan has rolled up its sleeves and is soon to be releasing a series based on manga about a wild 'battle royal' incident where 292 Samurai clashes in a bloody fight and the protagonists only goal, to save his ailing wife and son.. Could well be worth watching this space..

Henry Cavill teasing the swordplay in Highlander will ROCK

Henry Cavill did some pretty impressive swordplay for the Witcher series. But as a serious and dedicated actor, he teases “If you thought you’d seen me do sword work before, you haven’t seen anything yet”..

Kanazawa - the smart Samurai city that chose art over war..

When you are a feudal lord and suspect that your now more or less totally outmatched but menacing arsenal might provoke the Shogun to take action against you, one strategic option is to invest in a softer approach. This is exactly what happened, and due to this wise course of action it remains a hub of traditional Japanese craftsmanship of many types to this day.

Deep Symbolic meaning of a Singaporean mans Military Sword

While Singapore has very strict sword import and ownership laws, they are not entirely prohibited there - and this article, which details a Singaporean son doing his best to earn a sword accolade and award before his fathers passing shows just how deep the meaning of a sword can be beyond weapons of war or curious antiquities from a bygone age.

Deadpool and Wolverine Trailer

Lots of claws and sword action expected in this over the top as Wolverine and unhinged anti-hero Deadpool team up for this action packed trailer of what to expect for the upcoming Marvel movie. Watch it here (contains explicit language and graphic scenes, as you might expect..).

Waiting for next season of Blue Eyed Samurai? What to watch in the interim..

For some people, Netflix's smash anime hit 'Blue Eyed Samurai' served as a solid introduction to the genre. So what to watch while you are waiting for the next season? This article has some suggestions..

'Come ye here, er, Rover' - 1,500 dog names from the medieval era

As much as they ever have been, dogs were a big part of medieval life - so what kind of names could a medieval dog expect to have? Find your next cool dogs name here perhaps..?!

Matt Easton from Scholagladitoria on YouTube just posted a video update that from the 7th of May, swords (specifically singled out) of ANY type will no longer be shipped or supported by the U.K.s national carrier, Parcelforce..

The immediate and local effect on the U.K. sword industry follows years of increasingly difficult obstacles to sword ownership and import there, but now even though they are still legal to own - no one will carry them anymore (though as Matt notes in the video, Parcelforce carry firearms and explosives, but this new blanket ban would not even let them ship a blunted Feder or training sword!).

Watch the video below to get the full lowdown of the situation:

If you are in the U.K. and love swords, you NEED to see this and send a letter to your local MP to let them know that someone actually DOES care about sword ownership and opposing knee jerk controls and nanny state nonsense..

And don't think just because you are not in the U.K. this does not effect you.. In the last 5 years we have seen international sword shipments shrink down from most of the world to domestic US market only.. All it takes is a few of the carriers to decide 'swords are too much trouble' and the modern sword industry as we know it can finish in a few days like with what is seemingly about to happen in the United Kingdom..

ADDITIONAL BREAKING STORY: Crazed guy kills with Sword in London..

The full details are not yet clear, but some nutter in the UK pretty much dashed the dreams of responsible collectors and enthusiasts in the UK by attacking and killing a 14 year old boy and severely wounding 4 others in the streets of London.. Very sad, frustrating and damaging for the cause of responsible UK sword ownership and an event that will make the reversal of this shadowban even more difficult that it would have been otherwise.

Best posts from the official SBG Sword Forum

Caution and PSA on Facebook Sales from Philippines

A sad and unfortunate situation takes a turn for the worst. An important PSA about some Facebook sword sales gone/going wrong from the estate of Third Esguerra Buscayno in the Philippines..

Satin Finish was a mark of higher quality? (seems to be nowdays!)

It might be now among most sword collectors, but while mirror polish might be common on cheap stainless steel swords today, would it not have been a mark of superior craftsmanship back in the day. Interesting discussion..

D. Riggers and his bespoke Falchions make a comeback!

Respected blade maker and Falchion specialist from the forums D. Riggers is back and reveals a couple of his latest creations. If you love chopping, slicing blades and backyard mayhem, one of his blades may well be exactly what the doctor ordered..

DIY Woodcore scabbards, tips and techniques

The thread started in February but has been expanding with tips and suggestions from forum members on how to get into the very rewarding hobby of making your own custom scabbards. Glean some golden pointers right here.

In the medieval sword market, Longswords are (understandably) at the pinnacle, but while they should firmly be in 2nd or 3rd spot, for some reason many enthuisasts out there cannot truly appreciate the deadly beauty of a well made single handed arming sword.

In this video, YouTuber Shadiversity examines this underappreciated sword type and goes on to show you its strengths and its variations and shine a spotlight on what really should be a more popular and more vital sub-niche of the medieval sword world..

Who knows, after watching this maybe it will spark your own interest in these fascinating swords.

Always exciting to see the communities interest sparked like this, and they certainly are popular - the return of the Hanwei Taza Rapier was so hotly anticipated that it literally sold out in less than 48 hours, so hopefully with that kind of interest we should be seeing the industry attempt to accommodate this possible new influx of interest and demand and come out with even more high quality, relatively low cost fancy (but oh so deadly) swords from an era that until now has been sorely underrepresented.

It's no secret that the Excalibur Sword was one of my first and favorite swords I tried out from Generation 2 (now known as Legacy Arms) around 20 years or so ago..

Yes, it was crazy heavy and overbuilt. But that was part of it's charm, and last month a handful of lucky people were able to snap up the very last stock of this original model with its solid brass cross guard and pommel, wire wrapped handle and 'packs one hell of a punch if it DID hit' monotempered 5160 spring steel goodness..

I had a LOT of good clean fun with that blade over the years..

All that is history now, but like with what has been happening with Legacy Arms over the last 12 months or so, as the old model closes out, a brand new version made by a reliable, premium sword forge is producing them in good quantities at the SAME prices they were back in 2005..

And while there are some sacrifices, such as the change from solid brass to low maintenance brass coated stainless steel, there are also some major improvements, such as a finer and even tighter wire mesh grip, improved flex and tempering, narrower, cleaner lined fuller (and fittings overall) - and perhaps most importantly of all, a 2lb 1oz weight reduction from a properly distally tapered 5160 spring steel blade (no compromises THERE at ALL!).

If you have always liked the LOOK of this particular piece but never really liked how it handled, now is the time to check it out. The original price back in the day was around $475, and our current sale price is $419.00.

But for the next few days, You Paul, can use it to save 20% off with the special coupon code and snatch up the complete package for a mere $335.20!

Oh, and as an 'earlybird bonus' - this coupon code can be used not only on this brand spanking new blade, but on ALL their new models!!

Why? Because not enough people really know how much better the new and improved line really is, so here's a chance to grab one at close to production cost so you can see the improvements first hand..

The 20% Discount can be used on all the brand new arrivals below TOO!

Halfling Sword

$159.99

AFTER DISCOUNT

Roman Gladius

$159.99

AFTER DISCOUNT

Irish Dagger

$99.96

AFTER DISCOUNT

Irish Hand and a Half

$199.96

AFTER DISCOUNT

Templar Knight Sword

$199.96

AFTER DISCOUNT

Knights Riding Sword

$159.99

AFTER DISCOUNT

Bundle and Save:

Don't Forget, order 3 swords and SHIPPING is FREE

Hope you enjoyed this issue of the digest. Stay tuned for more captivating editions that I hope will continue to surprise and delight you. Until next time, Happy Swordening all!

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