SBG Sword Reviews Index

All the Sword reviews from Sword Buyers guide in one place.

Listed reviews here are for swords that are still being made and able to purchase, while discontinued swords are listed at the bottom of each category.

Sword ratings are based on the overall quality of the product, how well it achieves its stated purpose (i.e. historical replica, cutting sword, etc) and overall value for money and are based on a sliding scale.

No matter how well made, a $20 Machete can never really have a 5 star rating (overall quality of the product). By the same token, some swords that are head and shoulders above other 4 star swords may only be 4 star because they are deemed to be overly expensive (value for money). Read More about the SBG Star Rating System in more detail here on our about us page

Currently 186 detailed, hands on reviews and counting..

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QUICK JUMP MENU

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Japanese Sword Reviews (49 Reviews)

Bare Bones Budget Katana (8 Reviews)

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DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Masahiro Bamboo Katana - almost an internet meme or urban myth. Was indeed amazing value for money though..
  

Entry Level Katana with real hamon reviews (18 reviews)

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DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Cheness Kanbai Katana - the first real differentially hardened Katana to break into the sub-$300 price category and do it well.
• Cheness Kaze Katana - Upgrade of the Kanbai to 9260 steel created a legendary 'Tatami Mat Killer'
  
• Cheness Higo Katana - the first laminated Katana on the market in 2005 and the one that brought Cheness Cutlery to everyone's attention.
  
• Valiant Armory Ko-Buke - they tried. But why they didn't quite succeed and this line was wrapped up quickly, it does have some valuable lessons.
• Global Gear Makaze - another attempt to enter the market that didn't quite hit the mark..
  
• ProSwords and SBG - not every SBG project was a success. Here we bit off more than we could chew, but from it was born the legendary Kuramono and Torikami Katanas..
• SBG Custom Katana - once quite revolutionary, it was eventually made impossible due to competition from unscrupulous Chinese forges. Good for those who could get in on the deal while it was available.
  

Heavy Duty 'Beater' Monosteel Katana Reviews (8 Reviews)

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DISCONTINUED REVIEWS:

• Cheness Cutlery Tenchi Katana - Flagship of their 9260 Spring Steel line, it showed what was truly possible with affordable entry level beater swords
• Cheness Cutlery O-Katana - the biggest and the baddest 9260 Spring Steel O-Katana was surprisingly fast and agile. A classic.
• Cheness Cutlery SGC - the Specialized Goza Cutter was a unique 9260 beast of a blade designed to destroy tatami mats.
  
• Cheness Cutlery Kurome Katana - not every Cheness 9260 blade was a success. Here was one of the least popular swords from the line up.
  

Wakizashi & Ko-Katana Reviews (2 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED REVIEWS:

• Cheness Cutlery Kaze Ko Katana - super fast and lightweight companion to the famous 9260 Kaze Katana.

High End Katana Reviews (8 Reviews)

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DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Musashi Yasha Katana - A $2000 sword by Master Chris Zhou. My first experience with Master Smith forged blades was quite eye-opening.
  

Ninjato Reviews (4 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED REVIEWS:

• Cheness Cutlery Oniyuri - the Bujinkan designed sensation and what many consider to be the closest to a 'real' Ninjasword. Though the jury is still out.

Chinese Sword Reviews (11 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED REVIEWS:

• JinShi Han Dynasty Sword - they came, revolutionaized the industry, and went - a shame that few followed in their footsteps.
  

Ancient European Sword Reviews (16 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Valiant Armory Praetorian Sword - Was actually a really attractive well made sword and a shame that it was discontinued.
• Kris Cutlery Roman Sword - Was a really nice model for the price.
• Kris Cutlery Celtic Sword - Another great model that is sadly no longer in production.
  

Viking Sword Reviews (19 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Windlass Dark Age Sword - Well it looked the part.. But probably best that they discontinued this particular model..
• Windlass Beowulf Sword - Another sword that looked like it would be okay, but was ruined by one small silly plastic component..
• Darksword Armoury Saxon - One of their earlier models, but was solidly built and was a bit of a shame to see this one go..
  

Medieval Sword Reviews (40 Reviews)

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DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Windlass European Sword - one of my favorite medieval swords of all time. Came back from 2011 to 2018 but was finally discontinued once and for all in late 2018.
  
• Windlass Sword of Auray - was actually an exceptional one handed hollow ground sword based on a historical original. Why Windlass, why?
• Windlass Verneuil Sword - another really made sword by Windlass that is hard to fathom why it would be discontinued..
• Windlass Sword of War - really solidly built and great value for money - one more than will be missed..
  
• Windlass Towton Sword - Really attractive looking, but with a flopsy blade so not all that sad to see this one go..
• Windlass Shrewsbury - was a true bargain, liquidated at less than $100
• Hanwei Edward III sword - Not only Windlass discontinues their medieval swords - was a nice replica of a very ornate historical sword.
• Angus Trim Makers Mark XIIa Longsword - While Gus no longer makes the makers mark series, these swords represent a turning point for him from pure performance to a nicer looking sword as well..
  

Renaissance Sword Reviews (16 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Hanwei Torino Rapier - My first experience with a rapier, great value and was a lot of fun.
  
• Hanwei Taza Cup Rapier - Too expensive for what it was.
• Hanwei Solingen Rapier - Nice enough on the outside, just don't look under the hood..
  
• Hanwei Bone Handled Rapier - Wasn't too bad, and handled well, but quite a few annoying issues made it fall down a bit..
  
• Hanwei Mortuary Sword - My first experience with a basket hilt sword and a truly enjoyable piece that I was sad to see go.
• Cold Steel Basket Hilt Broad Sword - A tough, but far too contemporary looking sword..
  

Falchions, Scimitars, Messers & Saber Reviews (14 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Windlass Archers Falchion - they discontinued the wrong Falchion..
• Valiant Armory Falchion - more like an Orc cleaver than any historical sword. But boy was it fun..
• Deepeeka Falchion - pretty average to begin with, and not all that missed..
• Windlass Pirate Sword - doesn't anyone love pirates anymore? What is this world coming to ya land lubbers..
  

Quality Decorative Fantasy Sword Reviews (3 Reviews)

The ONLY exception we make where we review purely decorative, non battle ready swords.. (Because they ARE cool)..

Functional Fantasy Sword Reviews (18 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED FANTASY SWORDS:

• Windlass Twinkle Sword - the Forgotten Realms Twinkle Sword was one of my favorite fantasy swords and was sad to see it and Icingdeath go..
• Darksword Armoury Anduril Sword - It was discontinued and then brought back, but the current version is so different, it might as well be a different sword..
• Darksword Armory Ranger Sword - another Lord of the Rings sword that has changed so much since it came back that the old review no longer applies..
• Generation 2 Chaos Sword - Heavy, tough, simple, good - gone..
  

Excalibur Swords (3 Reviews)

Tactical/Anti Zombie Out Break Sword Reviews (9 Reviews)

DISCONTINUED SWORDS:

• Ontario Knife Co Black Wind Katana - Was the ultimate machete, but discontinued due to the bad economy..
• Longship Armory Furia - A truly amazing collaboration between SBG and John Lundemo, a limited edition sword with all 20 sold.
  

LIGHT SABERS

Interview with Saberforge

Interview with Kyberlight

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