GENERATION 2 NEWS: 14 July 2008

One of the most anticipated medieval replica swords of 2008 is about to land at a retailer near you...

Perhaps the most authentic and highest value for money piece Gen 2 have ever produced, the Henry V sword from the Hank Reinhardt Collection (pictured below) is only days away from being ready to order.

You can read a review of the prototype for this sword (and how it has evolved from the review)HERE on the SBG Sword Forum.

Available from Your Favorite Gen2 retailer – and with an extra special 10% discount here at Arms of Valor...

GENERATION 2 NEWS: 27 February 2008

A lot of people have waited a LOOOONG time for it to come back. But the day has finally arrived.

Clyde Hollis recently announced that the Brass Excalibur Sword, retired due to the rising costs of Brass in January 2006, will now be re-released as a numbered, limited edition collectors item!

While the $379 price tag is a lot higher than it was in 2006 (I believe it was around $239 back then) - for people who have waited 2 years for it to come back, another $130 isn't a problem...!

The run, which is due to be completed and shipped out in early 2009, will only be for 50 pieces - so if you have been waiting - well, you had better get in quick. While the plan is to release 100 per year, they will sell like hotcakes - so you might want to think about getting in your preorders asap...

Well, it is official! The Generation 2 tempering issues are now well and truly a thing of the past and they have succeeded in their difficult task of creating a sword that is both exceptionally durable - and yet with more historically accurate blade profiles and handling characteristics.

Other than the official annoucement from Clyde a few hours ago, recent tests and reviews have confirmed that these swords are back to being as tough and durable as they have ever been.

First up we have this very demanding destructive testing review by UK re-enactor Jamie Thompson featured here on review site Swords of Valor which pitted the Generation 2 sword of the third crusade against a variety of targets, including 17 guage plate armour.

And secondly, we have a review and sneak preview of the prototype of a Generation 2 riding sword here on the SBG Sword Forum for your viewing pleasure.

Great to see one of my favorite manufacturers back on track. A happy new year it is indeed... :-)

The ever popular 12th Century Sword will now have two offshoots - the Crusader sword with the black cross in the pommel will be renamed the Hospitalliers sword - and it will also be offered with a Red Cross and named the Knights Templar sword.

To quote Clyde Hollis:

Our Crusader Sword has been doing so well, because the closer to historical accuracy than most. And we also credit it doing well is because most companies do not do a Hospitallers Sword which is what the black cross in the pommel represents.

So after looking closely at the historical Crosses during the Crusades era, we have decided the same sword will work as a Templar Sword. Again after looking at the Crosses from a historical side it will work.

Here is how: There were 2 Crosses the Knights Templar used. On their shield the red cross was straight and flared on the end. But, when you look on their tunics or Surcoats the cross is represented as the Hospitallers shaped cross only red. Flares from the middle out.

So from the same popular 12th Century sword we will still have the same Crusader Sword but we will now call it the Hospitallers Sword, still with the black cross, and now we will have the Knights Templar sword with the red cross.

Many more items are in the works, including the two winning entries from the SBG Design a Sword Competition, all of which should be shipped out in September or October 2007.

Definitely a lot happening behind the scenes as Generation 2 rebuild stock levels and deal with the recent tempering issues on a few of their hand and a half swords. However, they have been running some experiments to find a new and improved method of tempering the problem blades and are confident to have the issue resolved once and for all very soon.

As Clyde says, Great Things are Coming from Generation 2 over the coming months. So watch this space!