Sword, Knife & Armor Guides

Everything we've learned about blades, in one place. We've been selling swords, knives and armor long enough to have written a few hundred thousand words about them — what separates a bastard sword from a longsword, why Damascus steel needs re-etching, which axe actually suits what you want to do with it. This page collects all of it, grouped by subject, with a link through to the pieces we sell alongside each one.

Not sure where to start? Pick the section closest to what you're after, or browse everything by date.

Swords

The largest part of what we make and the largest part of what we've written about. Start here if you're trying to work out which type of sword you actually want, or if you've bought one and want to understand what you're holding.

Chinese swords

Fantasy, anime and screen swords

Shop: Fantasy & Anime Swords

Knives

Kukris, bowies, trackers, karambits and hunting knives. Most of these guides exist because someone asked us the same question twice — what to look for, what the differences actually are, and which one suits the job you have in mind.

Kukris

Shop: Gurkha Kukris

Bowie knives

Shop: Bowie Knives

Tracker knives

Karambits and haladies

Shop: Haladie Knives

Hunting and skinning knives

Knife craft and everyday knives

Shop: All Knives · Machetes

Armor, Shields & Costume

What the pieces are called, what they protected, and what to look for if you're buying for display, re-enactment, LARP or cosplay rather than a museum case.

Shop: Shields · Shields of the Ancients · Body Armor & Vests · Gauntlets · Greaves · Steampunk

Axes & Tomahawks

Where the tomahawk came from, how a Viking axe differs from one, and how to pick between them.

Shop: Axes

Spears, Polearms & Ancient Weapons

Javelins, spears and the older end of the arsenal — including what to look for if you're buying a spear for training rather than display.

Shop: Spears · Archery · Archery Armor

Collecting, Care & Craft

Damascus steel, sharpening and polishing, custom work, and the odds and ends of collecting — drinking horns, rings, chess sets. Read this section if you already own something and want to look after it properly.