Movie Swords: Existence on Market

Often times we are asked whether a particular sword of a movie exists. These are movie props and not necessarily real swords. Movie props are generally outfitted with lighter and soft aluminum alloy blades which minimize the wear-and-tear on actors' arms during those long hours of filming.

However, those wanting a "real" sword based on a particular movie, the solution is not necessarily putting a "real" blade in the same furnishings. Often times, if the weight distribution is incorrect, the sword can be completely useless as a weapon from a historical or battlefield or martial vantage.

This point is extremely important because while many are inspired by Hollywood films, the fact remains that historically swords were made to serve a function; making swords into a fantasy image that is non-functional is impractical, costly, and unrealistic. The worst example is the "Cloud" sword from the Final Fantasy VII video game which many teenagers have been asking us about (Sword Forum International does not discuss cartoon or video game swords, but we are using this example as a learning opportunity in this case.)

If a sword is not listed here, we do not have current information on it. Also, do not e-mail us about your sword questions (information, where to buy, etc.) Instead, post all questions on the General Forum. (We reserve e-mail for professional correspondence.)

Note: We do not discuss cartoon / video game swords. Do not expect anything based on a cartoon or video game to function in real life because seldom do these mediums support the laws of physics.

Where to Buy

If available, visit our Links pages for Editor's Choice businesses. If a sword is not listed here, it probably does not exist on the market as a mass-production item. That being the case, swords may have to be custom-made.

Custom sword-makers and prop-makers tend not to make identical copies of movie swords due to copyright and lawsuit considerations. For European-style swords, custom work can begin at US$400-$1,400 depending on how elaborate the project is. For authentic Japanese-style work, swords can begin at US$2,000.

Also, the laws of physics and structural considerations must be taken into account. "Detachable" blades like the sword of the Kurgan on Highlander are not only impractical but dangerous (fly-away blades are a health hazard, and such a sword is structurally too unsound to be used for parrying).

Custom makers are also listed among our Links pages, accessible via our Main Menu. Many of them peruse the General Forum. If sword makers do not respond to your inquiry, it is likely that it is not a project they want to pick up for the aforementioned reasons, or your price expectation cannot be met, or your sword concept is unrealistic.

List of Swords

Be sure to read the information covered in the previous sections of this article. Below are a list of swords that we currently have information on:

• Highlander: Duncan MacLeod Sword - There are four versions on the market - one that is "custom" and limited edition by the original propmaker of Highlander: The Series: Sal D'Aquila at http://www.pointgallery.com/ - the sword is entitled "The Musashi". It is based on the first season of the series and is currently the only fully functional Highlander sword on the market. The second version is the "Sword of the Dragon" by Marto of Spain and is by nature a decorative sword of 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat, and was used in seaons 2-6 of the series. The third and forth versions are various fakes from Taiwan at around US$40-90 and $135.

• Highlander: Connor Macleod Sword - There are two versions on the market - the official sword is available through The Official Highlander Site at http://www.highlander-official.com/ - the sword is entitled "The Sword of Connor". It is a near-perfect rendition of the famous movie sword, but is a decorative sword made from 420 stainless steel by Martespa of Spain and is not intended for combat. No "combat" versions exist on the market. Custom versions begin at US$4,000 depending on design complexity. The second version is a fake from Taiwan sold at around US$40-90.

• Highlander: Sword of the Kurgan - There is no official Kurgan sword available on the market. There is a remote knock-off/look-alike made by the Hanwei factory in China, distributed through C.A.S. Iberia. Side blades at the guard eject. However, the sword is marketed as not intended for combat. We have no performance/handling data on this sword. Custom makers may not want to make this sword for copyright/lawsuit reasons, and will not make a detachable blade version because of the dangers and compromises of structural integrity of a detachable blade if the sword were wielded or used.

• Highlander: Toledo Salamanca - The sword of Iman Fasil was a prop sword that is not available commercially. Historically it did not exist. The blade was custom forged as a prop blade for the movie; the hilt was a redecorated hilt from a decorative sword that existed in the 1980's. There may be similar versions (though not jewel-encrusted) on the market.

• Star Trek: Klingon Battleth - There is no official Battleth on the market that is licensed by Paramount. Custom knifemaker Gil Hibben apparently has been knighted the official armorer of the Klingon Empire and modified his famous Raven knife which appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (held by Jadzia Dax) and Lursa and Betor of Star Trek: Generations. He has made a Kah'les sword which appeared in Blade magazine. There are a variety of Battleth-lookalike weapons on the Internet made out of steel (extremely heavy), aluminum (lighter), and titanium (lighter). We have no performance reviews of either.

• Blade: Sword of the Daywalker - The vampire hunter's official movie sword from the motion picture "Blade" is a decorative sword, not intended for combat, made of stainless steel. Factory-X is the official licensed holder from Marvel Comics. There are no "battleworthy" versions of the market. Prop-maker Tony Swatton will not make them due to copyright and lawsuit considerations, and publically requests that people purchase the official "Blade" sword instead. Retailers can be found in our Links pages.

• Sleepy Hollow - No official production versions of this sword exist.

• 13th Warrior - The sword wielded by Antonio Banderas in the film was a prop. No commercial versions exist.

• The Mask of Zorro - The official movie sword is purely decorative and not intended for combat. Made of 420J2 stainless steel, manufactured by United Cutlery.

• Excalibur - Based on the famous film "Excalibur" there are two, neither of which are official. No official "Excalibur" exists. One is a purely decorative sword made from a soft Zinc-Aluminum alloy and is manufactured by Denix. The other is a special limited edition entitled "The Sword of Kings" as an exclusive by Albion Armorers (http://www.albionarmorers.com/) made by Ian MacAllen and is the most attractive and well-constructed to date, intended for decoration and not combat. No pure "combat" versions exist on the market.

• Blind Fury - No official production versions of this sword exists. The closest production sword similar in looks and function is the C.A.S. Iberia "Zatoichi". Be aware that some States may classify this as a cane sword and thus the sword may be classified as a concealable weapon and may be illegal in your geographical region.

• 3 Musketeers - The swords from "3 Musketeers" starring Kiefer Sutherland and Charlie Sheen do not have any official production versions on the market. However, the blades of the swords were made by Del Tin Armi Antiche who has a line of swords sold through Del Tin Dealers.

• Final Fantasy VII "Cloud" Sword - No official production versions of this sword exists. Most custom sword makers will not make this because it is impossible to make a steel version of this, as it would exceed 30 lbs. and be impossible to weild. It is possible to find a craftsman in your area to make this out of aluminum or titanium alloy, but it would still be unwieldly and prone to break at the handle due to improper weight distribution. Do not expect anything based on a cartoon or video game to function in real life because seldom do these mediums support the laws of physics.

• Conan Movie/TV Swords - Both an official movie sword and an official television series sword is made by Marto of Spain out of 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat. Albion Armorers (http://www.albionarmorers.com/) has a "Sword of Crom" in design (as of March 1, 2000) designed by prop maker Jody Samson. Kris Cutlery has a non-official "Barbarian" sword made of 5160 steel, heat treated to performance - and though much more simplified it is the best "combat" version on the market.

• Xena - There are two types on the market. The official one is well constructed and handsome and is made by Marto of Spain with the official Xena logo on the blade. 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat. The other is a plain knockoff/look-alike made in either India or Pakistan. Heavy and poorly balanced.

• Hercules - The official Hercules "Sword of Veracity" is made of stainless steel and is a decorative piece, not intended for combat..

• Dragonheart / Sword of Bowen - The official Sword of Bowen is made in Spain out of 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat. Made by United Cutlery.

• End of Days - The sword that Arnold Schwarzeneggar uses in the end is a Marto brand "Sword of The Apocalypse".

• Army of Darkness - The sword that Ash uses at the end of the film is an Eastern Barbarian Sword from Museum Replicas at http://www.museumreplicas.com/.

• Braveheart - The Official "Braveheart" sword is made by Marto of Spain, made from 420 stainless steel as a purely decorative sword, not intended for combat. The blademaker whose swords were used in "Braveheart" has a version of this "Early Claymore". Del Tin swords can be purchased through Del Tin dealers, listed in our Links pages. For more information, see our Fall '99 issue of SFMO on the various Braveheart swords on the market.

• Beastmaster - No commercial version available.

• Clash of the Titans - No commercial version available of the prop helmet, prop sword and prop shield wielded by Perseus.

• The Messenger - Prop swords made by armorer in Europe. No other information available. No commercial production versions on the market.

• Joan of Arc (Television Series) - Custom prop especially made for the film. No commercial versions available.

• First Knight - The sword wielded by Arthur (Sean Connery) was a prop made especially for the film. No commercial versions available. There are some remotely similar stainless steel decorative swords made by Marto, Spain. Richard Gere's sword was also a prop with no commercial versions on the market.

• Lord of the Rings - No official versions endorsed by the Tolkien Estate are currently on the market.

• Article: "Titanium - Miracle Metal?" - Sword Forum Magazine Online, January 1999 Edition (accessible via Main Menu.)
• Article: "Is My Sword Real?" - Sword Forum Magazine Online, January 1999 Edition (accessible via Main Menu.)
• Article: "The Sal D'Aquila Musashi Katana" - The prop maker of Highlander: The Series makes a limited edition sword of the famous Immortal based on the first season of the series. Sword Forum Magazine Online, January 1999 Edition (accessible via Main Menu.)
• Article: "The 'Braveheart' Sword Buyer's Guide" - A close examination of the multiple "Braveheart" style swords on the production market and discussion on how to find "the" closest to the original. Sword Forum Magazine Online, Fall 1999 "Sons of Scotland" Edition (accessible via Main Menu.)