Sword Buyers Guide Blog
May 05, 2013
Oops, wrong video
Just a quick note and addendum to the May Edition of the Sword Buyers Digest I got a ton of emails from people letting me know that we accidentally put the wrong youtube video link up - instead of the special on Japanese sword training we listed the April editions Viking documentary video (D'oh!).
Anyway, it has been updated in the back issue link above - sorry for the inconvenience folks!
- Paul
Apr 22, 2013
New Look SBG!!
Well, as you may have noticed SBG now has a new look!
It would be too early to say that stage one of the overhaul is completed, but all the heavy lifting has been done and it's now just a case of some tidying up and a little more reorganizing to regroup and prepare for stage II..
Of course, the more perceptive of you would have not missed that the overhaul of the site is not the ONLY thing going on at SBG, we have also just finished overhauling and are now releasing the upgraded version of the SBG Custom Katana version 3.0 or Project X Chinese - the Jian of Marquis Yi at the SBG Sword Store. Click below to see what else has been brewing..
Apr 14, 2013
Overhaul nearing stage one of completion
Ok, with the completion of our biggest page for Japanese swords (as they are the most popular type of sword on the market) finally complete we are now closing in on bringing the entire site both up to date and in the new layout.
To update this page and where appropriate, the sub reviews was a mammoth of an undertaking and I must admit, as it has nearly been one full month of working day and night, I'm tired! (lol).
But it's worth it - and there is still a lot more to do, but at least once everything is more or less uniform and up to date I can ease back on it a bit.
Next, back to fixing some bugs in the forum and tackling the Chinese and Ninja sword sections, plus a final 'skinning' and then.. Well, I'll update you on that shortly!
Apr 10, 2013
New Address and Server for Forum
Hey all,
Just a quick post for all SBG forumites, we've just completed the forum migration - tons of resources and horsepower available now.
It's a bit streamlined and stripped back right now, but please drop in to the announcement thread here and have your say on how we can make our new home even better.
Thanks for your patience, now back to the sitewide upgrade.. (man, I need a holiday - Lol).
- Paul
Apr 02, 2013
Overhaul Update
Man, what was I thinking..
This overhaul is quite intensive - but I am pleased to say that I think I have passed the halfway point having just completed the update and overhaul of the Medieval Swords Page after an all night session of formatting text, graphics and bringing the whole thing more or less up to date (the backpages had been done over the last week, though there are still a few that need to be changed).
Feels like I am writing a 300 page site from scratch (which to be honest, is basically what I AM doing!).
In the meantime, click the link below for the rest of the SBG news and more indepth info on the overhaul in the April edition of the Sword Buyers Digest.
Mar 16, 2013
SBG Overhaul and Major Update
This has been brewing for a loooong time, but the time has finally come - SBG is about to revised, corrected and otherwise brought up to date.
With over 300 pages, it's a MAJOR task and I can't be 100% certain when it will be complete.
For a while, no doubt the site will be a bit 'weird' as some pages will be updated ahead of others - but it will be worth it in the end.
Oct 02, 2012
Visit to a sword forge in Longquan, China
While there haven't been any visible updates here for a while, behind the scenes a lot of projects we have been working on are finally starting to come together.
And one of the big ones, a trip to one of the largest sword makers in Longquan, China was completed late last month, and we have an absolute MOTHERLODE of information that we will be sharing with everyone over the coming months that we hope will truly revolutionize people's understanding of the sword industry (for a start, there's a LOT more to it than just information).
You can read more about it in this months issue of the Sword Buyers Digest, available online here - but in the meantime, here's a quick video we made on the last day of our 3 day tour, with Chris Scoggin from Ronin Katana, Weiping 'Jack' Zheng - forge owner, and myself doing some cutting on thick Asian bamboo (it had always been a dream of mine to cut this stuff, but I never had access to it).
The sword used is one of the Ronin Dojo Pro Series Katana - was really cool to see the guy who designed them (Chris) and the gent who makes them (Jack) putting them to the test!
So much to share with you all, but that's it for now, so talk again soon!
- Paul
Continue reading "Visit to a sword forge in Longquan, China"
Jul 04, 2012
Custom Katana and Project X
Some BIG news folks - and of course as usual, most of it is in this months issue of the Sword Buyers Digest - so if you haven't read it, I strongly suggest that you check it out.
In it you will find SBG's latest and perhaps most ambitious project to date, Project X, which includes an indepth article on the evolution of Chinese made Japanese styled Katana over the last 7 years.
And if that wasn't enough, as you'll see from the SBG custom Katana blog we are now making preparations to start taking orders on batch 20 of the SBG Custom Katana!
Lots going on, so feel free to have a quick read.
- Paul
Jun 05, 2012
Quick Update
Just a very quick update - as mentioned in this months issue of the sword buyers digest (available online here) this month saw the SBG Facebook page reinvigorate itself, and so far it is going pretty good, so if you are a facebook user I hope you'll get involved!
Anyway, in the meantime I hope you'll check out this months issue of the digest - it may not be the longest issue ever but it's been getting some good feedback.
Talk again soon.
- Paul
May 08, 2012
May Vacation - 15th to 25th of May
Just a quick heads up - as stated in the May issue of the sword buyers digest online magazine that I will be taking a quick break to head back to Australia from the 15th to the 25th of May.
You can read more on the store blog (link below) - sorry for any inconvenience guys.
- Paul
Mar 27, 2012
Very quick update
With all the changes being prepared for SBG this year I have just realized that it has been several months since my last update here!
However, the other blogs have been going strong (especially the SBG Custom Katana blog) - as is of course the monthly edition of the digest.
I'll try to concentrate a bit more on THIS blog as well, but in the meantime stand by for the next issue of the digest as well as the launch of batch 19 of the SBG Custom Katana!
- Paul
Dec 03, 2011
Lots going on..!
I haven't had much time to update the news blogs or anything recently as I am busy finalizing all the SBG custom Katana orders from batch 18 and working to try and get the balance of batch 17 out to their owners/designers, plus a ton of other things mentioned in the Christmas edition of the Sword Buyers Digest (click to read it online) so for everyone waiting for something, bear with me - the wheels are turning full speed and I'll be updating everyone shortly!!
In the meantime, if you haven't already read it I do recommend you have a look at this months issue of the digest as it is choc full and contains some, er, "Christmas Eggs" - Easter Eggs at Christmas - plus a guide to the best buys for the season, cool videos, articles, and more!
Nov 11, 2011
Blogs, blogs, blogs!
It seems that for one reason or another I have gone a little 'blog crazy' the last few days..
First off, as we are literally only DAYS away from opening up on new orders of our famous SBG Custom Katana I decided now is a good time to ressurect the old SBG custom Katana blog
But while I was at it, I thought why not update the SBG Store News page - so I created yet another blog to showcase everything that is going on at the store (and there is a lot) which you can check out here
I'll be tweaking the blogs as I go, but for now have a look and see what you think!
That's all from THIS blog for now (I guess you could call this the 'Master' Blog?) - talk (or should I say blog) to you all again soon!
- Paul
Nov 02, 2011
News and Updates
I've been getting some great feedback on the November issue of the sword buyers digest (of which, if you are not a subscriber, you can read online here) with regards to our featured article and our guide to pre-Christmas sword shopping, so if you haven't seen this issue I highly recommended you do so..!
This month is going to be a busy one, there are several major SBG projects going on at the moment (several of these mentioned in the newsletter, and several others that are still yet to be revealed at all) so its worth keeping an eye on..
I'll be posting again soon, but in the meantime I hope you will enjoy this months issue
- Paul
Oct 02, 2011
Quick Update
Below you'll find a couple new reviews, one of an ebay tanto and the other a quick overview of the Hanwei Tori XL (which between these two reviews, cover both the low and the high price range of the production Japanese style blade market!) so check them out and keep the reviews coming guys!
You'll find more bits and pieces, including an excellent article on tactical swords in this months issue of the Sword Buyers Digest which is of course a must have read in preperation for the imminent Zombie onslaught that is commonly known as 'Halloween'... ;-)
Oct 02, 2011
Review - Wang Katana (Ebay) Tanto
As promised, here is a review of the Wang Katana (Ebay seller) tanto. Keep in mind I have purchased this as a practice piece, to obtain tsukamaki skills,
Oct 02, 2011
Tori XL Light
I purchased this katana for my collection and not for a cutter as it was built for. I have a less expensive sword for that. The Tsuka wrap is a black
Sep 14, 2011
Musashi shirakawa 1060 DH katana with burgundy saya
Hi everyone, So it was my birthday last month and to treat myself I purchased the musashi shirakawa series 1060 differentialy hardened dragon katana with
Continue reading "Musashi shirakawa 1060 DH katana with burgundy saya"
Sep 11, 2011
NEW Add a Review Feature
As mentioned in the September edition of the Sword Buyers Digest (which you can read online here), this month has seen a new feature added to the site whereupon ANY site visitor can submit a sword review
While this feature is in its infancy, over the coming months - especially as new reviews are submitted - it will be rolled out onto every page, providing additional resources to the sword community (plus it also features a dynamic comments section, where further discussion of the review can be made in a kind of 'semi forum' kind of atmosphere).
As new reviews are added they will be listed in the blog, but in the meantime - lets start to build up the new database of reviews, so if you have a sword and want to give your $0.02 on it, here's your chance!
Sep 11, 2011
handmade ninja-to designed by master park
This is my first review plus I'm doing it on a smart phone so if its a little sloppy, I apologize. I am reviewing the munetoshi ninja-to. Now I know the
Continue reading "handmade ninja-to designed by master park"
Aug 02, 2011
A quick trip away
Hi all,
As mentioned in this months issue of the Sword Buyers Digest (which you can read online here by the way) I'm heading back to Australia until around the 16th or so to recharge my batteries, tie off a few loose ends and otherwise prepare for the rest of the year (because as mentioned, there will be some big and very positive changes ahead, and I've been SOOOO busy of late I really do need to take some time off for a little bit).
The last issue was a little bit rushed to make the deadline as I was also handling batch 17 of the SBG custom Katana, and one notable mistake was that I offered the Hattori 2204 Katana as a special, while in fact this sword has actually been discontinued! (see? THIS is why I need a short 'vacation'! Lol).
To make up for this I have instead decided to offer a special on the equally (if not more) stunning model 2202 - which you can see pictured below (click on the image for more info).
Anyway, this plus every other Katana is currently available with a 5% discount by entering the coupon code August 2011 in exchange for waiting until I am back around the 16th before any orders ship.
Apologies for any inconvenience, but I do need to take this trip for a whole host of reasons - however I am really also looking forward to getting back to Japan and taking things to the next level!
Talk to you all again when I am back and thanks for bearing with me.
- Paul
Jul 27, 2011
Better Late Than Never..
Yes, yes - I know - another late update.. ;-) But as the title suggests, better late than never - and this post has some pretty important news..
It is THAT time of year again, or should I say, THAT time of year is nearly over..
We are now in the final 24-48 hours of accepting new commissions for the SBG Custom Katana Series - orders have been coming in hard and fast since we opened up on new commissions a few days ago, and at this point we only have just a little more room to squeeze in a handful more orders before we need to close off, batch them up and send the orders to our forge to be completed.
Right now I am dedicating the next two days to processing any and all email enquiries to make sure than anyone who has an unanswered question gets a chance to get a decent answer and an opportunity to get in on this batch as the next one will not be open until November, so if you are waiting for an email response from me please just bear with me a little longer - I am doing my best (sending something like 200 emails a day, my fingers seriously need shockabsorbers on the tips!).
I do have quite a bit more news to report to everyone, but had to get this information out there first - not sure if there will be time as I also need to write next months issue of the Sword Buyers Digest so I'll probably just have to put it all in there (you can sign up for the free newsletter in the link above).
Okay, too much to do and not enough time! I feel a bit like the mad hatter running around a clock, but I'll have another coffee and plough on ahead! ^_^
I'll blog again sometime after the newsletter goes out, so talk to you all again soon.
- Paul
Jul 03, 2011
An Overdue Update!
Hi everyone,
Definitely somewhat overdue for an update here - I've been so busy just keeping things going that I haven't had the time to put pen to paper (or rather, fingers to keyboard) for sometime now so need to cover quite a bit in this quick post.
The easiest and quickest way you can get up to date with what has been going on with SBG is to read this months edition of the Sword Buyers Digest Online here (plus the feedback from this issue so far suggests that it is at least a somewhat interesting read in its own right).
Otherwise though, I have been trying to handle a slew of daily emails and finalizing batch 16 of the SBG custom Katana with a view to opening up on new orders early in the week (fingers crossed) - plus listing a very exciting new line up of the acclaimed Ronin Katana Dojo Pro Series
Plus I should also mention that right now we have some great offers available in the Hot Specials section of the store that are well worth a look, so despite the apparent lack of updates, as usual there is a lot going on behind the scenes.
Anyway, check out the links and I'll make another quick post here when we are ready to open up on new orders for the custom Katana - in the meantime I've got several hundred emails to catch up on (phew, better install those shock absorbers in my fingertips!).
Talk to you all again soon.
- Paul
Apr 08, 2011
Quick Update
Hi All and Greetings from Japan!
I know I said I would update the SBG blog as soon as I was back online, but getting used to working exclusively from my laptop, settling in over here and everything else meant that by the time I had answered the days emails and done everything else in the day to day running of the site I was never able to find the time to make this belated post - anyway, here it is - lol..!
I've been fairly busy with the site since coming here so haven't had much time to do any real 'siteseeing' (unless you count SBG that is!) which is a bit of a shame really, but as SBG is a full time endevour its the price I have to pay..
But that said, I was able to take a short trip to the Osaka History Museum whereupon I was ambushed by a group of around 10 Japanese museum staff and volunteers who dressed me up in a 8th century Osaka outfit that I really can't pull off very well..
Anyway, also wanted to post a quick update on the SBG Custom Katana, batch 15 are well on their way now and I am just waiting on the tracking numbers to be compiled together and I'll be sending out an update on batch 16 sometime next week with the view to trying to accomodate the demand for these swords on a more ongoing basis - we don't make much money on them but with the way things have been for SBG we need every dollar we can get to keep the lights on (and of course, no matter what happens, all existing orders will be honored!).
So yes, hope you'll all continue to support the site - it's business as usual for our warehouses and the SBG Sword Store so I hope you'll all continue to support the site that supports the sword community and do your bit by buying a cool sword from my personal selection at the very best prices we can muster!
I have a couple more reviews that I will be working on over the next week or so too, so stay tuned!
Talk to you all again soon.
- Paul
Mar 28, 2011
Second Japan Trip
Hi everyone,
Just a quick update - I'm in transit to Japan again shortly and there may be a slight delay getting back to everyone's emails and processing orders from the SBG Sword Store until I am settled in properly on Tuesday or Wednesday the 30th (sadly there is no internet access while in transit, and the first place I am staying before I move into an apartment in Osaka also doesn’t have internet access, though I will be making up for it as soon as I get it back either on Tuesday or Wednesday).
Anyway, I’ll update the blog again as soon as I am back online so talk to you all again then.
Thanks all,
- Paul
Mar 15, 2011
Thanks for your support guys...
I just wanted to give a big thank you to all the kind people who have emailed me over the last few days expressing their concern for my 3 year old daughter Lana who lives in Japan with my ex-wife...
I am pleased and greatly relieved to say that she is quite far away from where the drama of the past few days has been unfolding. Though of course I am concerned about the events still occuring there (though not enough to postpone my upcoming trip) but I am deeply touched by the kind emails I have been receiving from site visitors, friends and customers and cannot express how much this means.
Since there is not a lot I can do about the situation, I am choosing to immerse myself in the site - and am pleased to say that I have FINALLY been able to complete another long overdue review that I will be loading up on the site in the next few hours, so hope you guys enjoy it!
Thanks again folks.
- Paul
Mar 09, 2011
Back from Japan (but not for long)
Been a while between updates, and obviously I have returned from Japan some time ago – but the email backlog it caused as well as processing the orders for batch 16 of our Custom Katana range (which was only open for a week before we had to close off again) – not to mention the usual day to day stuff has made updating the site a bit of a challenge..! (to say the least!).
Anyway, as mentioned in march edition of the digest online magazine (Read online here, if all goes to plan I should have another few reviews up on the site before the end of the month – but it did not mention that also at the end of the month I am heading off to Japan for a longer duration with a view to relocating there soon afterwards.
This time, because I am going for a longer period (while checking for any potential problems that running the site from Japan may cause), I am doing as much as I can beforehand to ensure any delays or interruptions to the site and store are to an absolute minimum (a day or two while in transit only).
Better get back to it as there are several half-finished reviews that I need to concentrate on, hopefully will have at least one finished by around this time next week!
- Paul
Feb 04, 2011
Quick Update and Japan Trip
Just a quick update and a bit of news, as anyone who read the February edition of the Sword Buyers Digest will know (click to read it online if you haven't already), from the 8th to the 20th of February (I said 18th in the digest, but messed up the dates) I will be travelling to Japan to visit my daughter Lana who lives there with my ex-wife, and so during this time there will not be any updates to the site and any orders placed via the store will not be processed until my return on the 20th (even though in theory it is a straight 12 hour flight to Japan, my flight is rather convulted, stopping several times along the way so a 12 hour flight is more like 24!! Not looking forward to the actual TRAVELLING, but very much looking forward to the little princess waiting at the other end of the destination).
Anyway, with all this in mind, we do have some exceptional offers right now on the front page of the SBG Sword Store - some of which will expire a day before my departure, and others which will run for the month.
All orders placed between now and the 8th will be processed as quickly as possible and I do not expect any delays with them, but do bear in mind that any orders placed after the 8th will not be processed until I get back.
Anyway, have to start to prepare for my trip and will not be posting any more updates until I get back - though when I do I will post a couple of pics of some of the swprd related sights I will undoubtedly stumble upon in my journeys with my daughter over there (after all, I am staying a stones throw away from Osaka Castle!) - so talk to you all again then.
Thanks all,- Paul
Jan 15, 2011
Some Windlass Classics Coming Back!
Hi all,
Apologies for the lack of updates - I'll be making up for it in the February edition of the Sword Buyers Digest but just wanted to make you all aware of an exciting new development brought about by the SBG community.
After YEARS of asking them to, some of the communities favorite medieval swords have been brought back by popular request - including the iconic European Sword that I used in the original Sword Buyers Guide logo from 2005.
Anyway, here is a quick list of the 4 extremely popular and well received blades:
The European Sword (my fave!)
All are currently in production and should arrive sometime in May/June this year but are available to pre-order now.
If you do decide to pre-order, don't forget to use the 10% discount code 'sbgweb' when you order.
I should be making another update or two before the digest on the 1st of Feb, but thought that this news was so exciting I just had to let the cat out of the sword bag. ;-)
Talk again soon all,
- Paul
Dec 28, 2010
Ronin Katana Back in Stock!
Hey everyone,
Hope you had a great Christmas!
Just a quick update to let everyone know that even though they came in later than we had hoped, the much antipcated Ronin Katana Dojo Pro Series have finally been restocked and are good to go out the door!
As many of you will already know, I firmly believe that these are the best value for money, heavy duty beater Katana currently on the market - and it gets even better because they added two new products to their line up, including one of the most impressive yet affordable O-Katana ever seen at the sub US$300 price point, the Dai-Ichi O-Katana (pictured below).
NEW RONIN O-KATANA!
Anyway, just wanted to give you all a quick heads up - tying off a heap of loose ends before the new year, so will have to leave this update at that for now, however I'll be posting again shortly so talk 'at' you all again then! :-)
Thanks everyone,
- Paul
Dec 12, 2010
And the winner is..
Just a couple of quick announcements, first off - I'd like to congratulate Morgan Carter for his comprehensive review of his SBG custom Katana - nicely done Morgan, your prize of the limited edition Oyabun Katana will soon be on the way!
Secondly, I would like to announce the winner of recent SBG Forum Fundraiser Competition, Richard McCaughey who won half of the $980 raised as a special coupon that he can use on any and all products in the SBG Sword Store!
Congratulations to both of you and thanks for supporting SBG!!
- Paul
Dec 03, 2010
Lots going on, but no time to update!
Hi everyone, sorry for the long time between updates - it's been crazy busy around here as we try to untangle the red tape from China that hit us (and pretty much every other sword importer) since mid to late November, which of course you can read about in the December issue of the Sword Buyers Digest (click to read the backissue).
Actually, I recommend that if you haven't already you should check out this months issue anyway, because it also contains our guide to the best buys for Christmas 2010, two cool competitions closing in the next week, some insights into the sword industry for next year and much, much more! (plus in online issue I corrected a bad link I put in there, when I saw it I shook my head in disbelief, oh the joys of html!! Hehe)
Anyway, because of all the stuff going on behind the scenes, it may be some time before I get a chance to do any major updates - but I'll do my best as I do have quite a few half written reviews, articles and other projects that I hope to tidy up and get online over the holiday season.
One final thing before I sign off, I should mention that our full range of Cheness Cutlery Swords are finally back in stock (some have been out of stock for at least 4 months)!
I'll be in touch again with everyone shortly, but in the meantime - be sure to read the Christmas edition of our online newsletter!!
Talk again soon all.
- Paul
Nov 02, 2010
SBG Custom Katana - last few days to get one!
Hey guys,
Sorry for the lack of updates - it has been insanely busy the last couple of weeks (I wont re-iterate it again here, for more details you can read this months issue of the Sword Buyers Digest) but I just had to post to let everyone know that we are preparing to finalize the last batch of SBG $330 Custom Katana so if you have been waiting for this opportunity (and it will be the LAST one for 2010) then you'd best get your order in as soon as possible!
We have also added several new options to this line, including options for engraving the blade, upgraded saya, folded steel and more, allowing you to further customize your design to make it even more unique!
It really is my favorite line in the SBG Sword Store - even though we barely break even on them, and the amount of time spent working with customers is pretty intense, I get excited each time I see a design come to life almost as much as the new owner! :-)
Talk to you all again soon.
- Paul
Sep 15, 2010
Official Forum Countdown
Hey guys,
Official update time on the new forums - we have encountered a few technical setbacks and glitches on the new forum which will mean that the planned migration will be delayed slightly from the 18th of September to the 1st of October - which will allow us some extra time to try and iron out the bugs, add in a new new features, and also make the official announcment easier as it will coincide with the October edition of the Sword Buyers Digest..
For the time being its business as usual on the old SBG forum and it seems that our measures to appease proboards have been successful - so over the next couple of weeks we will be continuing to invite selected members over to the new one this month for testing and to 'hang paintings on the wall'.
Thanks for your patience - it seems to be taking forever to bring it all together, but I'm sure you'll find our new home to be worth the wait..
- Paul
Sep 08, 2010
The "ring" you can hear as a sword is pulled from scabbard
Hi Paul, I purchased a sword based on the outstanding info and recommendations found in your website. I thank and congratulate you for this superlative
Continue reading "The "ring" you can hear as a sword is pulled from scabbard"
