The SMG Soapbox

While the various sword forums are a good place to post your observations or warnings on the sword industry, the information there tends to get buried pretty quickly - and many warnings, observations and the like can get buried, or simply aren't posted for fear of the controversy that they may stir up...

Which is why SMG has it's own special 'Soapbox' a place where you can give your own $0.02 on the sword industry in general - whether it is something you'd like to see adopted by the industry in general, things you'd like to see more (or less) of, warnings, suggestions or just your take on it all - this is the place to 'write it on the wall'.

If you have any general observations, wish lists, gripes, warnings or stories about the sword industry - share it with the sword community here!

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Ron G 
I just got my new Kaze Ko Katana. It is a beautiful work of art. The blade itself has surpassed all my expectations. The only gripe I have is the way it ...

Del Tin 
I don't seem to find anything here about Fulvio Del Tin. I have several of his pieces, including a custom axe he produced for me and I think his work for ...

Mantis Katanas - Anybody heard of them? 
I have my eye on this ebay auction for four (4) katanas; two have black sayas (scabbard), the others have sayas with a gold "crackle" finish. The sageo ...

to Grayson C. 
Since you like longer blades try a nodachi its about five feet long you should like this alot better since a normal katana feels kinda short for you and ...

About the Tenchi Ko Katana Review 
The Tenchi Ko Katana is that short because the ko katanas are mainly used in karate type dojos.

It allows for a faster draw and easier handling by ...

A day at a sword stand 
In VA near Natural chimeny a year ago they had a medival festival and as I was walking around I saw a sword stand with swords of horriable quality all ...

My Cold Steel Story 
To start I will say that I am excited for this new site. It was a good idea and gives a lot of great information that has helped me and will help many ...

berserkermp 
I got my first real sword from a company called Legacy Forge www.legacyforge.net their web site is terrible but I did not buy it off line, I got it from ...

New to sword buying 
I recently bought a sword that was supposed to be battle ready.I have since learned that just because they say it is battle ready,does not mean it is. I ...

Do not buy from Kingofswords.com!!! 
Hi Paul! I just thought I'd share to the people some really helpful and useful information to help get your knew site goin which by the way, I think is ...

One more company you may want to add 
I know they aren't the cheapest, but what about Last Legend? They make some wicked cutters, with a nice degree of personalization. They may not fall ...

Warriors and Wonders Vancouver Canada 
I live close to Nelson BC in Canada, and I have wanted a Paul Chen/Hanwei sword for a long time.

So I decided to go with Warriors and Wonders in Vancouver,...

Looking for a review on this "Functional" Ninja-To 
So I've been looking at Ninja-Tos for a while now...

But at the last second of buying one, I've hesitated because I have come across one disclaimer,...

SWORD SHOPS 
You know, I'd love to see more sword shops around. I gotta drive 63 miles to the nearest sword shops and it's just way to expensive with california gas ...

wakizashis 
I love SBG but noticed that you guys didn't do any reviews on wakizashis and was wondering when and if you are going to do any because I would love to ...

Buying from Kult of Athena 
After extensively researching the swords I want and exhaustively researching who I want to buy it from, I have found that Kult of Athena consistently has ...

"angels not included"  Not rated yet
Good day to all. My name is Ben. I am a US Marine. And I am Obsessed with swords and cutlery, and have been so since my earliest memories of childhood ...

HANWEI/Tinker Pearce   Not rated yet
I was just checking out the prototypes for the new tinker pearce swords and they look amazing!! Paul i hope your thinking about adding them to the SBG ...

Swords Needed  Not rated yet
I am glad to have SMG as a resource. I feel that swords/knives (non-balistic weapons) honestly and truely have a place in society for self defence and ...

Where might one find...  Not rated yet
A distributor manufacturing the finest/most exquisite swords? These seem to be low-to-high priced sword distributors on this site, but are there forgers ...

New Australian supplier of Angus Trim Swords  Not rated yet
Hi Sword Manufacters Guide,

I have been selling swords for a little while now here in Queensland Australia and have just started my own site. I have ...

Sword Manufacturing & Sales..... Interesting?  Not rated yet
I have 27 years of Production Manufacturing, Quality Control, and Manufacturing Inventory Control experience, and there are some things I find interesting ...

Arms and Armour  Not rated yet
The US based co. Arms and Armor has a line of great wepaons. A bit more expensive than many others ,but very good quality. Should be reviewed.

battle ready  Not rated yet
I really like a good replica sword - and I am always looking for the best value for my money when buying one.

One must not go to cheap or you will end ...

Brian McMenamin, Sr.  Not rated yet
I do not, as yet, have any experience with this company. I would, however, ask if it is possible to find someone who would agree to help me with a military ...

More Del Tin  Not rated yet
I have included another few shots of some Del Tins that I own. From Left to Right:

-Del Tin 2121 (Oakeshott Type Xa, Type H Pommel, straight cross and ...

Seconding the Wakizashi interest!  Not rated yet
I wanted to echo the question of Mr. Carter Revell a few comments down regarding the wakizashi.

A lot of the sword makers and sites that are on this ...

Angel Swords  Not rated yet
I saw your listing of entry lvl sword makers. Not a bad listing. I happen to work for a weaponsmith in Texas by the name of Daniel Watson. The company ...

Ebay is a good place to get a real sword!  Not rated yet
I always look on ebay for any good deals and im about to tell you about my previous winning bid. I won a customized Hanwei Pratical Katana fitted with ...

Thanks to Paul  Not rated yet
Thank you Paul,for the rating and for your help. I think there are a lot of new sword buyers who need and want your help. I bought a katana online for ...