Rate the sword making companies of the world - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Fire · 10-08-2003, 08:43 PM

I sell swords for a living- as a result I am always curious to hear feedback on the companies that are out there- to that end, I ask you, the viewer of this post to share your experienes with products from different sword makers- got one you love, bought one you hate, had one break on you- share your praise and gripes- and hopefuly educate potential sword buyers, and dealers like myself- Personaly I am very interested in what people think of Museum replicas, Paul chen, and Cas Iberia, but any info is greatly appreciated, and if there is any company that you love (or hate) by all means spread the word.......

im2smrt4u · 10-08-2003, 10:28 PM

I haven't ever heard anything but praise for Paul Chen's functional stuff. They seem to be the cheapest, high quality swords on the market today.

I also happen to like my Criswell katana. I guess that doesn't count because it is a custom, but it is handmade by one guy and is cheaper than anything made by Bugei and comparable to the prices of Paul Chen's stuff. Great bargain if you ask me.

seizei · 10-08-2003, 10:46 PM

Paul Chen Hanwei swords are quite respected in the martial arts world... I won't buy anything else personally

Moonduck · 10-09-2003, 08:01 AM

Never used a MR sword (never 'used' any sword thankfully), but the ones I've seen are faithful recreations of historical blades, generally. They err on the side of functionality, not flash, and the steel isn't bad, from what I've seen. As to value, it is a variable thing. Is it worth it to you?

I've had personal experience (read as "handled" or "owned") their Qama (Atlanta Cutlery's Qama, actually, but it's the same company), Irish-hilted Claymore (freakin' beautiful, well-balanced, all around my personal ideal sword), Schiavona sword (gorgeous, but the handle was too small for me), and a couple of their two-handed Claymores. All were good, solid blades to my eye.

I've also handled some of their non-sword weapons and find those to be, if anything, even more solidly functional. Their axes, warhammers, and maces are killer (no pun intended).

I've handled some CAS Iberia blades. Quality isn't as high, but you don't get beat up on 'em price-wise. They're not awful, though quality control on the wire-wrapped handles could be higher (saw three different wire-wrapped handles that were unravelling), and I would likely not want to trust my life to one in some hypothetical real combat (not that I'd want to trust my life to my own lack of sword-skill at any rate).

No experience with Paul Chen Swords, sorry.

apechild · 10-10-2003, 02:17 PM

Does Raven Armory count, or would you consider them custom? They do some really fantastic work but their prices tend to be well north of the average "production" sword.

Fire · 10-10-2003, 06:39 PM

Thank all of you that have thus far posted for the feedback- So far its pretty much what I have heard from my customers, seems like everyone loves paul chen, myself included- to continue in this vein, has anyone out there had experience with Deepeeka- its a company in india that I am considdering carrying - have heard mixed reviews, general agreement is that they are improving, but far from the best. If anyone owns, or has handled one of these please post......

queedo · 10-14-2003, 01:59 PM

nice swords here:

http://www.bugei.com/

10-08-2003, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	Rate the sword making companies of the world I sell swords for a living- as a result I am always curious to hear feedback on the companies that are out there- to that end, I ask you, the viewer of this post to share your experienes with products from different sword makers- got one you love, bought one you hate, had one break on you- share your praise and gripes- and hopefuly educate potential sword buyers, and dealers like myself- Personaly I am very interested in what people think of Museum replicas, Paul chen, and Cas Iberia, but any info is greatly appreciated, and if there is any company that you love (or hate) by all means spread the word....... __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

10-08-2003, 10:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
im2smrt4u Beer Aficionado Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA	I haven't ever heard anything but praise for Paul Chen's functional stuff. They seem to be the cheapest, high quality swords on the market today. I also happen to like my Criswell katana. I guess that doesn't count because it is a custom, but it is handmade by one guy and is cheaper than anything made by Bugei and comparable to the prices of Paul Chen's stuff. Great bargain if you ask me. __________________ Starkizzer Fan Club - President & Founder

10-08-2003, 10:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
seizei Purple Monkey Dishwasher Location: CFB Gagetown, NB, CANADA	Paul Chen Hanwei swords are quite respected in the martial arts world... I won't buy anything else personally __________________ "If you're not weird, you're not interesting". I'm very interesting ... seizei; (adv - Japanese) at the most; at best; to the utmost; as much (far) as possible. (pronounced - say-zay)

10-10-2003, 02:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
apechild Crazy Location: Vermont	Does Raven Armory count, or would you consider them custom? They do some really fantastic work but their prices tend to be well north of the average "production" sword. __________________ Skwerl. Its wuts fer dinner.

10-10-2003, 06:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	Thank all of you that have thus far posted for the feedback- So far its pretty much what I have heard from my customers, seems like everyone loves paul chen, myself included- to continue in this vein, has anyone out there had experience with Deepeeka- its a company in india that I am considdering carrying - have heard mixed reviews, general agreement is that they are improving, but far from the best. If anyone owns, or has handled one of these please post...... __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

10-09-2003, 08:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Never used a MR sword (never 'used' any sword thankfully), but the ones I've seen are faithful recreations of historical blades, generally. They err on the side of functionality, not flash, and the steel isn't bad, from what I've seen. As to value, it is a variable thing. Is it worth it to you? I've had personal experience (read as "handled" or "owned") their Qama (Atlanta Cutlery's Qama, actually, but it's the same company), Irish-hilted Claymore (freakin' beautiful, well-balanced, all around my personal ideal sword), Schiavona sword (gorgeous, but the handle was too small for me), and a couple of their two-handed Claymores. All were good, solid blades to my eye. I've also handled some of their non-sword weapons and find those to be, if anything, even more solidly functional. Their axes, warhammers, and maces are killer (no pun intended). I've handled some CAS Iberia blades. Quality isn't as high, but you don't get beat up on 'em price-wise. They're not awful, though quality control on the wire-wrapped handles could be higher (saw three different wire-wrapped handles that were unravelling), and I would likely not want to trust my life to one in some hypothetical real combat (not that I'd want to trust my life to my own lack of sword-skill at any rate). No experience with Paul Chen Swords, sorry.

10-14-2003, 01:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
queedo Shodan	nice swords here: http://www.bugei.com/ __________________ If you think you can or you can't, you are right!