As fierce warriors, the Vikings inspire many modern collectors to add a weapon to their closets. Axes, swords, langseax, spears, or seax are the most common choices. No hard rules of course, but in general swords were in the possession of those with prestige, power, or wealth and any professional warriors, champions, and bodyguards who […]
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The Khopesh, Kopis & Falcata
The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Iberians used the khopesh, kopis, and falcata to defend, protect and conquer. The three share similarities – storied histories, method of use and key design aspects. Swords of the Ancients Khopesh A truly ancient sword design, the Egyptian Khopesh dates to about 2500 BC. Originally of Canaanite origin, the Khopesh may […]
Read MoreBuying Swords and Building a Sword Collection – From the Ultimate Expert
“Swords are for everyone and we view it as a shared culture. Everyone can play along.”
“Swords are for everyone and we view it as a shared culture. Everyone can play along.”
Read MoreNew Demo Video: Devil’s Edge – Steel Certified High Carbon
Demo Video is live, focusing on the new Egyptian Pharaoh Dagger from Devil's Edge.
Read MoreJapanese Blades: Bo-hi or No-hi?
Navigating the world of Japanese swords and the related terminology can oftentimes be confusing. You may see terms like bo-hi, no-hi, or fatasuji-hi but what do all these mean in terms of sword function and appearance? A “bo-hi” is the Japanese name for the grove that runs along a blade, with the bo-hi being the […]
Read MoreNew Demo Video: The Honshu Spartan Sword and Sheath
The Honshu Spartan Sword – a fun addition to the tactical offering of Honshu, melding the chopping and hacking know-how of the Ancient Greeks with modern materials. Check out the demo video or visit the sword here. No Reviews yet…. so those of you that have tested, let us know!
Read MoreKatana Guide: The Geometric Yokote
The geometric yokote is a distinctive feature found on the Shinogi Zukuri profile of katanas. But what exactly is it? Does it make a distinct difference in the performance of the katana or is it simply cosmetic? Here we take a deeper look at the yokote, how it is created by the polisher, what its […]
Read MoreYour Reviews: The Battle of the Nicks over the APOC Wasteland Gladius
Reading your reviews can be fun, sobering, exhilarating, depressing… and sometimes hilarious. We enjoyed reading a series on the APOC Gladius, where nick(s) pop up… Review 1: (about a nick) “Just a few nicks on the sword but love it, handles perf for either or both hands, can feel the power in the weight and […]
Read MoreJapanese Blades: What is the Niku?
When it comes to Japanese swords such as the katana, you are likely to encounter a lot of Japanese terminology to describe different parts of the sword. One such term, the niku, is often talked about when it comes to discussions about geometric blade profile, cutting, and durability. Here we take a closer look at […]
Read MoreYour Reviews: The Hanwei Scottish Claymore
Today, the Hanwei Antiqued Claymore. One of the most heavily reviewed items (10 submissions), with 9 highly praised, one very disappointed, and one comment on shipping costs to Canada. We do our best to keep shipping costs low – but a 56″ beast going across borders will never be inexpensive. In Stock Now. https://www.kultofathena.com/product/hanwei-scottish-claymore-antiqued/ […]
Read MoreJapanese Sword Guide: Kissaki Options
The kissaki is the tip of the Japanese blade and begins at the geometric yokote, or the line that separates the body of the blade from the tip. While the kissaki is a main component of the blade, not all kissaki are the same. There are many different sizes and shapes when it comes to […]
Read MoreThrough-Tempered vs. Differentially Hardened Katana Blades
As you shop for a new katana sword, the different options and terminology can be confusing for those new to the sword world as well as those with a few already in their collection. Here we will dive in and take a closer look at through-tempered vs. differentially hardened katana blades and what each process […]
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