About SMG

From The Desk of Paul Southren

Your Host, Paul Southren

Sword manufacturers Guide was first started in February 2007 by Sword Buyers Guide’s Paul Southren as both a repository of up to date information on the major production sword manufacturers, as well as a centralized place for sword enthusiasts to get news and inside scoops regarding changes in this dynamic industry.

However it is a lot more than just a ‘sword news and updates site’.

With an interface allowing visitors to add their own experiences with the different brands to the mix, and a special soap box where they can anonymously or otherwise make suggestions, wishes or comments on what they are seeing (or would like to see), within the sword industry – the aim of this site is to truly open the communication channels between sword makers and the sword buying public, notifying sword enthusiasts of potential problems in a brand or product, as well as new developments and releases as they happen.

So in some ways, you could say that it is almost like a cross between an informational website and a specialized forum, though unlike most forums, the info is there at your fingertips.

Essentially, I have (and continue to) create the framework – and will update the main information on the relevant pages as it comes to hand. But to get to the real nitty gritty, share your stories, and get some real fellow ‘end user’ perspectives, the floor is turned over to YOU.

I really hope you will find the information within these pages to be helpful. The site is very young (and indeed, was only really given my full attention after the death of Hank Reinhardt, who was one of the original industry heavy weights who suggested that I create this companion site) and far from complete. However, what you will do with it – and how YOU will use it – well, that’s your call...

Paul Southren

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Daniel Sinclair Dacombe was born in Manitoba, Canada in 1982. He has had a lifelong obsession in swords that stemmed from having stories of high adventure read to him as a child by his father, and growing up read mostly Tolkien, Kay and other High Fantasy stories. He grew up in a family of Celtic origins that had an interest in its own rich history, tracing some of their ancestors to knights and nobles in Medieval Europe and the Crusades. This background (spanning Irish, Scottish, and English cultures) inspired him to discover his roots for himself, and he spent some weeks in Scotland meeting distant relatives, visiting old family castle ruins, studying in the Clan Library and handling swords that were true historical artifacts. He began collecting swords after high school - wallhangers at first, finally owning his first real sword in 2003. He became involved with the SBG in 2007, first as a lurker, then as a reviewer, and finally as a general writer for whatever projects he was able to, with most of his focus going into the Sword Manufacturer's Guide launch. Daniel's interests in swords are mainly in the Medieval/Renaissance eras, though he still appreciates the beauty and strength of a Japanese katana. Currently, his collection includes Windlass, Generation 2, Darksword Armory, Masahiro, Cheness Tenchi, Hanwei and the infamous Deepeeka. He hopes to someday own a sword from every major period of Medieval and Renaissance history - and hopefully someday to finally feel satisfied with his collection! He lives in Canada with his wife and their dog, and works full time for a non-profit Christian organization dedicated to helping at-risk teens. Paul Southren was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1973. Always fascinated by the weapons of earlier times, especially those of medieval knights and the Japanese Samurai – he bought his first sword, a stainless steel Japanese wallhanger set, when he was 12 years old and has been collecting swords ever since. In 2005 he created the sword information and review website – Sword Buyers Guide.com– to share what little knowledge he had accumulated with beginning sword collectors to help them choose better swords than what he himself started with. Paul’s favorite swords are those of Japanese and Medieval European designs, though he also has a special affinity with Viking swords and weapons. He has owned swords produced by nearly every major sword manufacturer and has personally tested countless blades with a special affinity with finding the most functional sub US$300 swords on the market. Paul lives in Australia with his Japanese wife, his baby daughter and the family pets and these days makes his full time living from selling a small selection of his favorite swords primarily to North American collectors and enthusiasts.