SWORDS

Swords

Want to buy real swords? You can! At Shogun, we have a HUGE range of different types of swords. For example, on our webshop, we offer katanas, medieval swords, samurai swords, ninja swords, and different types of fantasy and movie swords. We also have swords from many well-known brands including Cold Steel, John Lee, Haller, United Cutlery, Honshu and many more. In addition, the swords we sell are often sharpened. A sharpened sword is also known as "Battle Ready". This does not mean that all swords are sharpened. For instance, a so-called Iaito katana is a sword that is not sharpened and can therefore be used for training and practice purposes. An Iaito sword, however, is made entirely of steel and has the same proportions and weight as a real katana. We also have training swords in our range for training with other types of swords. In short, do you want to buy a sword? Then take a look at our extensive range.

Katana

We sell katanas in various types, sizes, sharpened or unsharpened and of varying quality. Of course, every katana we sell is of good quality. But, there is a difference. A fantasy katana such as the Shirasaya Katana Black is mainly made for decoration, the sword still has a nice finish and, thanks to its inexpensive price, is a sword you can give well as a gift. You can also display the katana as an ornamental or display item or hang it on the wall. Besides ornamental swords, of course, we also have real "Battle Ready" katana like John Lee's swords. And these swords don't even have to be very expensive. For instance, John Lee's Mushashi Ichi or Dragon katana are extremely well priced yet high quality, sharpened and beautifully finished. These swords can rightly be called "real" katanas. This is because they are made according to traditional methods where materials and production methods are hugely important.

Katana means "long sword" in Japanese. Such swords were mainly used by samurai. Hence, they are also often called samurai sword. It basically means the same thing. They are Japanese swords, which played an important and symbolic role in Japan's history just like European swords in Europe.

Ninja Swords

Ninja swords are different from katana in a number of small but essential ways. For instance, ninja swords, also known as Ninjato, are generally a lot shorter than katanas. Also, the blade of the sword is straight rather than slightly curved. The term Ninja is often used in popular culture these days. It is therefore a more familiar term than Shinobi to describe "ninja" with. The word Shinobi has also become famous for referring to Ninja thanks to well-known anime series like Naruto. Officially, however, Shinobi then refers to a male Ninja. In addition, the term Ninja is a reference to the martial art being practised. In this point of view, a Ninja is someone who practices Ninjitsu, a person trained in stealth, espionage, various fighting styles and could act as a stealth assassin. The martial art of the ninja mainly focused on conducting covert operations. A Ninja or Shinobi spied, created confusion among enemy troops or carried out surprise attacks.

Medieval Swords

A "medieval" sword is quite a broad term. In fact, there are many different types of "medieval swords". For instance, well-known models are the bastard sword, a two-handed broadsword or broadsword, Grosse Messer/langknife, rapier and sabres. These swords have a specific function and application and have been popular or functional in different periods. For example, large two-handed broadswords were more often used as a striking weapon than to actually chop or cut with. Since most knights or soldiers wore protection, using a battle weapon was often more effective than a sword. Therefore, a medieval sword became larger and heavier as wearing armour and protection increased.

Fantasy Swords

A fantasy sword is basically any kind of sword that has never had a use in human history. Thus, fantasy swords often look particularly spectacular and impressive. The beauty (and thus appeal of a fantasy sword) is that functionality plays no real role. The sword literally has to satisfy the fantasy of the person who likes it. The possibilities are thus endless! Fantasy swords include famous movie swords such as Hattori Hanso's Kill Bill Katana, swords from Deadpool, Blade the Daywalker's sword or the katana from the Last Samurai. Movie swords have been very popular since famous films like Brave Heart or Conan. This has only increased in recent years.

Are Swords Legal in the Netherlands?

Owning and buying a sword in the Netherlands is legal and thus NOT prohibited. If you display the sword at home for decoration, use it to practice a sport such as kendo, iaito or medieval sword fighting, there is nothing wrong. You are not allowed to carry or display a sword in public, this is punishable. Want to know more about the legislation on weapons and ammunition in the Netherlands? Contact our customer service team, we can advise you on regulations in the Netherlands.