Where To Find Real Swords For Sale

I started my quest for a real blade a long time ago when I first started studying martial arts. My first piece was a $140 mail order stainless steel Katana. I have come a long way from that and now own several pieces of steel that I would gladly consider battle ready and able to take abuse.

My first Katana was a 440 stainless steel sword that was a horrible piece of crap but it was my first sword so I was happy.

Why Is 440 Stainless Steel No Good For A Sword?

While stainless steel is great for knives and small pieces it is not a good sword steel. The main reason is that what makes it stainless is the lack of carbon which is removed in the process. While it prevents rust it also makes the blade brittle and therefore any impact on something the size of a sword would make it very breakable. As a novice I had no idea that this steel sucked for swords. My first experience with someone that had real swords for sale was Angel Sword at the Texas Renaissance Festival back in the mid 90's.

First Experience With A Real Sword Made From An S7 Tempered Steel.

My first experience going to the Renfaire was back in the mid 90's. I had started studying Chinese Martial arts and really wanted to buy a Jian which is a double edged small sword.

So I started my hunt and went to several shops there and everyone had something but most of it was cheap and not very sharp. The fittings rattled on some pieces even. Average price was around $140-$240.

So about mid day I walked into the Angel Sword booth. You could tell by what was in the racks that this was not a place that just sold cheap pieces of steel coming out of China or Pakistan but that they were real hand made forged pieces.

I found the Jian that I wanted and now came the part that was painful the price! The price for my Jian back then was $1500 and luckily there was a layaway plan of 10 percent down and the rest you could pay off over time. So now that was 20 years ago that same blade now goes for around $3500 which makes you say wow but that is how much these blades have appreciated. The nice thing is they all come with a lifetime guarantee and you can always trade up and you will get current market value.

So Where Can You Get A Good Real Sword These Days?

I know it seems like I am just bragging on this one sword maker but there are a few out there that make quality swords that are made to be used and will hold up to the abuse that a sword should hold up to. Now I will say when it comes to sharp the sharpest sword you will ever own is an Angel sword piece!

So lets talk about whats out there when it comes to buying a sword that is made from a quality steel that has enough flex and will hold an edge that can be used as swords were intended to be used.

1. Ronin Katana - these guys make a great and very affordable sword. Their cheapest blade starts at $240 or so and they make a variety of swords from Katana's to European Swords.

2. Valiant Armory - these guys make some pretty good and historically accurate swords generally made from a high carbon steel. They are not as cheap as Ronin Katana but the finish on their pieces like the handle and scabbards are much nicer.

3. Dark Sword Armory - these guys make some really nice affordable pieces that are fully functional and are generally based on historical pieces with their own twist.

4. Albion - which makes really nice high end historical replicas. Be prepared to wait for 6 months to a year to get a sword from them but the quality of their blades is very good and they are historically accurate if that is something you want these guys are hard to beat on that level.

5. Angel Sword - these guys are somewhat unconventional and make what I believe are the sharpest swords you can buy! To prove it they hold several world records in Tatami Mat Cutting. Now for price you will find that their steel starts at about 3k for a sword and goes up! Their pieces are artistic interpretations of historical pieces so if you want something that is completely historically accurate you will not find that here. However if you want a sword that is so sharp it will shave paper then you are in the right place.

So as you can see you have some choices in where you can get what I would call a battle ready sword! Not that we fight too many battles with a sword these days. I think for many of us that love reenactment or are die hard martial artist owning a real weapon that is functional is just a thing we want.