Fantasy weapons, and especially fantasy swords, are offered in an extensive variety of styles including Samurai, Highlander, Lord of the Rings, Dragon and Final Fantasy swords. If you are seeking a fantasy sword you will want to know what use you will make of the sword and what you should be looking for. There is a big disparity in fantasy weapons manufactured for simply decorative use and those manufactured to be functional or ‘battle ready.. High quality swords can be expensive although there are a few available below around $400.
Cheap Fantasy Swords and Weapons
Many of the weapons and swords in the shops are manufactured in Pakistan or China and, whilst they look perfectly acceptable in a photograph they are cheaply made, which is apparent when you hold them in your hands. They are badly manufactured, frequently with hilts that are loose and with brittle blades and very little detail. They are of course, very cheap so you get the quality that you pay for! If you just require an ornamental sword to put on the wall they may be suitable however if you only pay $40 you shouldn’t expect anything of better quality.
Decorative High Quality Weapons and Swords
There are many higher quality, decorative swords available and one designer to look out for is Kit Rae who has been creating fantasy swords, axes and knives since 1984. Even though not ‘battle ready’ these stainless steel decorative fantasy weapons are exceptional value for money. There are though many phony Kit Rae swords as they are the ones most copied by counterfeiters. Many sellers will show you images of true Kit Rae swords then will sell you a bogus one. Authentic Kit Rae swords can be bought from about $200. These are attractive rather than functional and are made from stainless steel. They are brilliant works of art and are the finest value ornamental swords you will find.
Functional Fantasy Weapons and Swords
Fantasy designs are of course, fantasy! So to translate a decorative fantasy sword to a working sword is not always possible. Some sword makers have managed to bring together the fantasy element with function to manufacture a satisfactory functional fantasy sword. One instance is the Dark Sentinel Sword made by Hanwei Forge which is a blend of a European duelling sword and a Japanese katana. Tempered steel functional swords are made by Windlass Steelcrafts some of which are from the Wheel of Time series or the game of Dungeons and Dragons.
Generation 2 make Lord of the Rings fantasy swords who also manufacture a sizable fantasy sword called the Sword of Chaos, although the majority of their products are historically accurate medieval sword replicas. Another producer that we would mention is Darksword Armoury which make sturdy functional fantasy swords. A number of of their designs are based on classic fantasies including Lord of the Rings and several are unique fantasy designs. They are also the only manufacturers of the Anduril Sword of Aragorn.
Conclusion
Do some homework before buying a fantasy sword. Make sure you are familiar with the difference between functional and decorative swords and purchase one that is suitable for your requirements. Do not expect a cheap reproduction to be useful for anything more than decorating your wall. For a superior fantasy weapon pick one from a reputable manufacturer and avoid the cheap replicas imported from China or Pakistan.
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