Fantasy weapons, and particularly fantasy swords, are offered in a wide variety of styles, including Highlander, Lord of the Rings, Samurai, Dragon, and Final Fantasy swords. If you are looking for a fantasy sword, you need to know how you will use the sword and what to look for. There is a significant disparity between fantasy weapons made for purely decorative use and those made to be functional or ‘battle ready’. Higher quality swords can be expensive, although some are available for under $450.
cheap fantasy weapons and swords
Many of the swords in the shops are made in China or Pakistan and although they look good in a photograph they are cheaply made which is evident when you receive them. They are poorly made, often with loose hilts and brittle blades, and very little detail. They are extremely cheap though, so you get what you pay for! If you just want an ornamental sword to display on the wall they may be appropriate although if you only give $30 you can’t expect anything better.
High Quality Ornamental Weapons and Swords
There are several better quality ornamental swords to be had and one designer to look for is Kit Rae who has been making fantasy swords, axes and knives since 1984. While not “battle ready”, these attractive fantasy weapons stainless steel are excellent value for money. However, there are many fake Kit Rae swords as they are the most copied by counterfeiters. Many sellers will even go so far as to show you pictures of authentic Kit Rae guns and then sell you a fake. Genuine Kit Rae swords can be purchased from about $100. These are more ornamental than functional and are made of stainless steel. They are magnificent works of art and are the best value decorative swords obtainable.
Swords and functional fantasy weapons
Fantasy designs are of course fantasy! Therefore, turning an ornamental fantasy sword into a working sword is not always easy or even possible. Several manufacturers have succeeded in marrying the element of fantasy with function to produce a proper functional fantasy sword. One example is the Hanwei Forge, the Dark Sentry Sword, which is a combination of a Japanese katana and a European dueling sword. Windlass Steelcrafts makes a functional sword made from tempered carbon steel, some of which are inspired by the Dungeons and Dragons game or The Wheel of Time book series.
Generation 2 make Lord of the Rings fantasy swords they also make a fantasy greatsword which is called the Sword of Chaos while the main part of their products are historically accurate replicas of medieval swords. Another sword manufacturer we would mention is Darksword Armory, which makes strong and functional fantasy swords. Some of his designs are based on traditional fantasies, including Lord of the Rings, and some are novelty fantasy designs. They also make Aragorn’s Anduril Sword.
final thoughts
Do some research before purchasing a fantasy sword. Make sure you know the distinction between functional and decorative swords and buy one that suits your needs. Don’t expect a cheap imitation to do anything more than decorate your wall. For a high-quality fantasy weapon, choose one from a well-known manufacturer and steer clear of cheap replicas brought in from China or Pakistan.
