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Sword Buyers Digest - November 2025, Issue #206 November 01, 2025 |
| Hey, This month’s Digest arrives not with a bang, but with the quiet creak of duct tape holding the sword industry together. October saw us in a kind of suspended animation—awaiting the outcome of China trade war negotiations that could have either gutted the holiday season or barely salvaged it. For weeks, we watched, waited, and braced ourselves. Now, as the dust settles (for the moment), we find ourselves on the better of two possible paths. Not an easy one, mind you—but one that allows the industry to limp toward Christmas with some semblance of continuity. The alternative would have been catastrophic: a holiday season hollowed out by supply chain chaos and pricing paralysis. So what does “tentatively good news” look like in sword-world terms? It looks like manufacturers scrambling to fulfill orders with limited materials. It looks like retailers juggling goodwill and grit to keep customers informed and hopeful. It looks like collectors crossing fingers and sharpening expectations. Here’s to making it through to December. One blade at a time. NOVEMBER 2025, ISSUE #206Swords in the News Round-Up
Swedish Halloween JackpotIt is not a sword find per se, but in the lead up to Halloween a haul of gold coins and other treasures were found in a CAULDRON! Heck of a way to fund a sword collection..!Swedish Fishermen uncover medieval treasure haul in a Cauldron CT Scan Reveals Hidden Sword InscriptionA Renaissance-era sword has revealed a secret: a hidden Latin inscription uncovered using modern CT scanning technology. Buried beneath centuries of corrosion, the message offers new clues about the blade’s origin and symbolic meaning—possibly tied to religious or personal identity. It’s a striking reminder that even ancient steel can still speak, if we know how to listen.CT scan reveals hidden engraving on Renaissance era blade Future superwood for martial arts gear?While this article isn’t explicitly about swords, it’s worth reading with a martial artist’s eye: researchers have developed a “super wood” that’s reportedly 10 times stronger than steel. Imagine the possibilities—bokken, wasters, tsuka cores, saya, even wooden scabbards crafted from this ultra-dense material. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how future sword gear might blend tradition with cutting-edge science. Check it out in the link below.Superwood 10 Times Stronger Than Steel Atsu's backdrawn Odachi move in real life!Atsu’s sword-drawing move in Ghost of Yotei might look like pure fantasy, but Japanese martial arts experts—and actual JSA practitioners—have shown it’s surprisingly grounded in reality. The technique echoes real-world iaijutsu, where speed, precision, and timing make dramatic one-stroke draws possible. The game adds flair, but the fundamentals? Legit enough to be reproduced. Check it out in the link below.:Ghosts of Yotei Iaido in the real world Miyamoto Musashi's Life under the microscope from Ghosts of Yotei—and also related to Ghost of Yōtei, which is helping to keep interest in swords alive across the broader community—National Geographic dives into the legacy of Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary duelist whose spirit haunts the game’s design. From his real-life double-sword style and philosophical writings to his gritty, mythic presence in pop culture, Musashi’s influence cuts through centuries. The article explores how Ghost of Yōtei channels his ethos, blending history and gameplay to honor a warrior who was more than just a fighter. Check it out in the link below.Nat Geo on Miyamoto Musashi and Ghosts of Yotei 
Featured Article“Live, Laugh, Love by the Sword” — But Not in the UK
A subscriber recently sent us a photo of a T-shirt for sale in the UK emblazoned with the phrase: “Live, Laugh, Love by the Sword.” It’s a cheeky twist on the ubiquitous home décor mantra — but also a bitter irony. Because in modern Britain, living by the sword is more of a poetic aspiration than a legal possibility.
Despite the UK’s deep historical ties to the blade — from the broadswords of William Wallace to the ceremonial steel of coronations — current laws make it nearly impossible for citizens to legally own or carry swords. Collectors face tight restrictions, and anything resembling a “combat-ready” blade is often lumped in with prohibited weapons. Meanwhile, street violence continues to make headlines, with kitchen knives, sticks, and improvised weapons filling the void where tradition once stood. The irony deepens when we look at the monarchy. King Charles III recently wielded multiple swords during his coronation, including the Sword of Temporal Justice and the Sword of Mercy — the latter famously blunted to symbolize compassion. He also received a replica of President Eisenhower’s ceremonial sword from Donald Trump during a state visit, and presented a Canadian ceremonial blade in a meeting with officials. All perfectly legal, of course — but it does raise eyebrows. If a commoner unsheathed a blade in public, they’d likely be arrested. When royalty does it, it’s pageantry. This isn’t to say ceremonial swords should be banned — quite the opposite. But the selective reverence for blades in state rituals, while criminalizing their presence in civilian hands, feels increasingly absurd. Especially as governments roll out digital ID systems and surveillance infrastructure, the symbolic power of the sword — as a tool of honor, protection, and resistance — is being quietly sidelined. We don’t enjoy reporting on the marginalization of swords. But sometimes, you’ve got to laugh to keep
from crying. Or at least wear a T-shirt that says so.
Video of the MonthIn this month’s featured video, Skallagrim takes on the “back draw” technique from Ghost of Yōtei, a stylized sword maneuver that’s been making waves in recent articles and forums. The question: can this cinematic flourish actually work in real life? With slow-motion breakdowns, practical testing, and a healthy dose of skepticism, the video explores the limits of biomechanics, blade geometry, and theatrical flair. It’s part mythbusting, part martial arts nerdery—and all sword geek gold.
Stylish? Absolutely. Practical? Debatable. But if you’ve ever wanted to draw a katana like a ghost ninja with a flair for drama, this one’s for you. Just don’t try it in a crowded dojo. Some Swords From Our SponsorsKojiro Kraken Katana and Scabbard - 35% Off!
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Honshu Historic Forge 15th Century Bastard Sword - 1080 High Carbon Steel
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Hope you enjoyed this penultimate issue of the Digest for 2025. Make sure to get all your Holiday shopping done and out of the way early and set aside some serious time to spend with friends and family. Until the Christmas Holiday edition, take care of yourselves and Happy Swordening all!
Sincerely,
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