Unless you are an avid collector of Oriental swords, all the different types may remain a bit confusing.  Let’s take a look at the different types of Oriental swords so you can make your best decision on what to purchase for yourself or as a treasured gift for a loved one.

Samurai Swords

The Samurai Sword is the oldest recorded sword in Japan dating back as far as 795 A.D.  It’s considered priceless as it is one and the same with the warrior class that has defined the ultimate Masters of Feudal Japan. 

The Samurai Sword Era styles are classified as:

• Jokoto (“ancient swords”) – Jokota Samurai Swords date back to 795 A.D.
• Kkoto (“old swords”) – Kkoto Samurai Swords date back to 795 through 1596.
• Shinto (“new swords”) – Shinto Samurai Swords date back to 1596 through 1624
• Shinshinto (“new new swords”) Shinshinto Samurai Swords date back to 1624 through 1876
• Gendaito (“contemporary swords”) Gendaito Samurai Swords date back to 1876 through 1953
• Shinshakuto (“modern swords”) Shinshakuto Samurai Swords Date from 1953 through the present.

The three main types of Samurai Swords are:

• Katana Sword -  This is the longest of the samurai swords, generally over 24 inches and used for outdoor combat.  This is considered to be the most beautiful of all swords.  It has a slender, single edged blade, with an upward curve.  The guard is typically squared and it has a long grip handle for two handed use.  The are renouned for the razor sharp edge.
• Wakizashi Sword -   This is a shorter version of the Katana, and as a secondary knife for additional use options, such as close quarter combat, or inside combat.  It is used for stabbing instead of slashing.
• Tanto Short Sword or Tanto Knife -   This is the smallest version of the Katana and is an extremely short sword or even a knife that was used in place of the Wakizashi.

Most samurai carried a Katana and either a Wakizashi or Tanto.  This is so they would be prepared for indoor or outdoor combat, or double hand combat.  The most authentic style Samurai Swords are made of an ingenious combination of hard carbon steel and low carbon steel.   This is to optimize the benefits of strength, flexibility and edge retention.

Ninja Swords

Another popular Japanese Sword is the Ninja Sword.  This is the Japanese Sword that is carried by Ninja warriors and their proper names are Ninjato, Ninjaken or Shinobigatana.  Although the Ninja Sword is the most common reference to these masterful swords.  Ninja Swords are very similar to Katana Swords, although they are shorter in length and typically have a bit less of a curve, or no curve at all.  It is known for having the same razor sharp edge.

Whichever Oriental Sword you ultimately choose for your own enjoyment or for a gift, you are assured of a lasting treasure impregnated with history and honor.  Whether you display them on the wall, or keep them safe in their scabbard, packed away, your sword will become a great conversation piece and family heirloom.

A word of caution. Be careful when buying an oriental sword for sale as not all swords are “practical” for use and are meant for display purposes only. It’s safe to say that any sword priced under $75 is not meant for use. If you’re looking for a sword you can actually use, make sure it has a carbon steel blade.

If you’re looking for the real deal without the thousand dollar price tag, check out:

• Paul Chen
• Valiant Armoury
• Cold Steel

If you’re looking for display only swords, my first stop would be United Cutlery.

Sting: In Lord of the Rings, Bilbo gives Frodo this sword as he heads out on his journey to cast the Ring deep into the fires of Mt. Doom. Bilbo had carried Sting, an ancient Elven sword, with him when he first got the ring from Gollum, and wanted Frodo to carry it with him to destroy the Ring. In the Lord of the Rings, the blade glows when Orcs are close by and it has “Maegnas aen estar nin dagnir in yngyl im”, Elven for “Maegnas is my name, I am the spider’s bane” engraved on it. This model of Lord of the Rings sword is made by United Cutlery, and is 22” long. It has a double edged, sharpened blade, and a wood handgrip that has the ancient Elven vine design on it. It comes with a wooden plaque that is also engraved with Elven runes.

High Elven Warrior Sword: This is one of the most popular Lord of the Rings weapons, especially since it was one weapon that we see a lot in the movies. These beautifully light, perfectly weighted movie swords chopped villainous mobs to bits, and were sheathed before you could even blink in some cases and look breathtaking no matter if you are looking at them in the Lord of the Rings movies or hanging on your wall. United Cutlery makes a beautiful High Elven Warrior Sword from the Lord of the Rings that is almost 50” long with a 24 1/8 stainless blade. It has a beautiful metal handle that has a simulated leather grip to create a realistic look and feel to this beautiful sword. It also comes with a beautifully designed wooden display plaque that is decorated with brass plating in a traditional Elven vine design.

Walking Axe of Gimli: Fans of the dwarves in Lord of the Rings will instantly recognize this awesome axe that is carried by Gimli throughout the movie. In the movies, the Dwarves were extremely skilled in metallurgy and smithing, thus creating beautifully crafted, sturdy axes that could withstand onslaughts of orcs and demons. When it comes to axes, the Walking Axe of Gimli is one of the most ornate and deadly in battle, and is used throughout the movie. Now, you can own one for yourself or get one as a gift for your favorite Lord of the Rings fan. The Walking Axe of Gimli is over 46” long and the axe head has a distressed finish to it. It also has a genuine leather-wrapped wooden handle with brass-plated solid metal fittings. It comes with a wooden display plaque, that also holds dwarven runes.

Of course, eBladestore has several other beautifully crafted Lord of the Rings weapons for any collector to enjoy. Each one comes with a certificate of authenticity, so you can be sure that you have a legitimate Lord of the Rings Sword or collectible. Before you get any other collectible swords, make sure that you check out these Lord of the Rings collectibles first.

Before you begin, the first thing you want to do is come to a decision about what kind of collectibles you want to pursue. You might want to pursue collectible pocketknives, limited edition case knives of different makes and models, classic style bowie knives or antique collectible knives. The best collectible knives are going to be the ones that give you the most pleasure. So, take your time and do some research before investing much money.

Some people decide to focus on a particular brand of knives, like limited edition Case knives, Marbles, or old timer pocket knives from Schrade. Others decide to collect a certain type of material, such as mother of pearl or stag handle hunting knives. Bowie knives are also a popular type of knife to collect. They do take up quite a bit more room, so you may want to plan ahead to make sure of what space you’ll have to keep your precious collectibles in.

Once you determine what kind of knife you want to collect, it’s time to decide how you want to begin collecting your knives. Some people will start one knife at a time. You can give your family and friends a list of the knives you are hoping to add to your collection so they can buy them for you as gifts on the holidays. Some specialty or online knife stores will offer incentives or discounts for collectors, so make sure to ask around for this as well.

Make it a point to find out where and when the local knife shows are being held in your area. Visiting the different vendors at a knife show can give you more information than most of the books that are out on the market. The dealers also love to talk about their products, so you will learn a lot and might find some excellent deals on new knives to add to your collection!

Talking about books, you will want to look into Blade’s Guide to Knives & Their Values. It’s considered the newest bible of knife collecting. The Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 14th Ed by Houston Price is also an excellent resource. Then there are a myriad of knife forums and even collectors associations, such as The National Knife Collectors Association where you will also find much information and others who share your interest.

Once you have three or more collectible knives, it’s time to decide how you want to store them so that they will retain original quality and value. There are a variety of knife storage and display cases available. If you want to keep your knives displayed for your every day viewing pleasure, you will want a glass topped display box, possibly to hang on your wall. Knife rolls will also keep your knives protected and you can store them virtually anywhere that is dry and away from extreme temperatures.

I hope this article has given you some good direction on where to get started. In no time at all, you will become a knife-collecting connoisseur. As an excellent knife-maker Darrel Ralph says, “Beware, like any other hobby, knife collecting can become addictive!”

Here’s the specs for the new Mid Tech knife:

• Blade Steel CPM-S30V
• Handle material G10 3-D machined to a fantastic Ergo hand fit
• All hardware is Stainless Steel. Wear parts are heat treated
• Hidden Lanyard post
• .07 thick Titanium Lock

MQ1S Stone wash finished blades
MQ1B DLC “BLACK” blade