Japanese sword making in Longquan, China

Filmed on location in Longquan China, this video is a behind the scenes look at the production sword industry - from decorative 'wallhanger' swords' to high end blades forged by certified master smiths and everything in between.

We start our journey looking at what constitutes the bulk of the sword industry - cheap decorative swords and the machines that turn them from a flat sheet of steel into a 'sword like object' (and even get to see them first hand spot welding a rat tail tang!).

We continue into the sub $300 market with power hammers, hand grinding and hand polishing to create functional blades - and finish with the work of master smiths and master polishers who make swords the old fashioned way.

Naturally enough, the price fluctuates depending on how much time is spent on each sword and the production methods involved. Our aim in releasing this video is to reinforce the message that 'you get what you pay for' but also to help banish some of the marketing BS used by sword sellers who claim their swords are 'hand forged by master smiths in longquan' yet sell for under $100..