This month’s update comes with a mix of realism and optimism. As many of you know from recent newsletters, the sword industry has been going through one of the toughest periods we’ve ever seen. Collectors are buying less, makers are struggling to stay afloat, and even long‑established brands are tightening their belts. It’s a storm affecting everyone — not just SBG — and we want to acknowledge it honestly.

Despite all this, the community continues to push forward, and so do we.

The Industry Keeps Fighting

Deepeeka has quietly stepped up their game. Their historical swords have improved in both fit and finish, and they’re filling an important niche for collectors looking for functional sub‑$300 blades. In a market where affordable options are becoming rare, this is a welcome development.

A new maker, Azure Forge, has appeared on the scene and is already showing early promise. Their work reminds us of Swordier’s initial rise — solid fundamentals, good lines, and a willingness to listen to the community. We’re keeping a close eye on them and exploring ways to collaborate.

For authentic Japanese Shhinken, Ashigaru Armory continues to offer budget‑friendly nihonto and iaito, giving collectors access to Japanese blades without the usual price barrier. Their lineup has been a quiet lifeline for many who still want to collect but need to stay within a tighter budget.

And in the world of fantasy and film‑inspired swords, Clyde Hollis — founder of Gen2/Legacy Arms and now Kingdom of Arms — has returned to his roots with a stunning John Boorman–inspired Excalibur. It’s a beautiful callback to the golden era of production swords and a reminder that passion still drives this industry.

SBG 2.0 – Slow but Steady Progress

But it is moving.

This month, we’ve made progress on the new layout, navigation structure, and content framework. We also have a sneak peek of updates coming to the Sword Manufacturer’s Guide, which has been long overdue for a refresh. It’s not fast, and it’s not flashy, but it’s happening — piece by piece.

Your patience means more than you know.

A Difficult Reality — And a Gentle Request

At the same time, SBG is in a position where even small contributions make a real difference. If you’re in a place where you can help — even a few dollars — it goes directly toward keeping SBG online, maintaining the guides, and continuing development on SBG 2.0.

If you can’t contribute right now, please don’t worry. Your readership, your presence, and your support over the years already mean the world.

Ko-fi Kofi SBG26

Other Ways You Can Help (No Extra Cost)

One simple option is to shop through our friends at Kult of Athena using our affiliate link. It doesn’t change your price at all, but it gives SBG a small commission that helps keep the site running.

You can also check out the Hot Specials section of the SBG Store. We’ve been working hard to keep timely bargains available, and sharing these deals with friends or fellow collectors helps us more than you might think.

Every bit of support — whether through donations, affiliate purchases, or simply spreading the word — helps us weather this storm and continue building SBG 2.0.

Thank You for Standing With Us

Thank you for reading, thank you for being part of this journey, and thank you for keeping the passion for swords alive.

Until next month,

So until next month, take care of yourselves folks and happy swordening to all..