Something happens to me when I watch sword fights. As if the magical hand of War God takes me by the scruff of my neck and carries me on the wings of Karma back to ages long past and perhaps ages that never were. Ages in which honor mattered, and a quest was first spiritual in nature and power and financial rewards were furthest from the mind of those who waged war.

As I said, this age may have never been but the dream of gave rise to Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table.

In one of the highlander movies, the hero, Connor MacLeod, engages a powerful adversary. Having watched this immortal rise from the dead several times, the unexpected was common place.

But then it happened.

Something totally impossible.

The two immortals began to fight on the forbidden holy ground of a church, the two swords clashed and they shattered! Totally and irrevocably shattered. This fight between good and evil was beyond the tolerance of the swords.

In the follow up scenes Connor goes back to his roots in the remote Scottish highlands where he had lost his first love. There he tries to forge the new sword blade, tries and fails repeatedly.

Each time he pulls the partly formed blade from the steaming water, he takes one look and tosses it away. You see the disgust and disappointment in his face and perhaps desperation.

What was it that he was looking at? Why did he toss the swords away?

Then one day love softly steps over the hard rocks of the highlands and in her hands carry a gift, a shining block of metal stamped by a magical mark. Alex Johnson played by Deborah Kara Unger hands over this block to Connor.

This is what Conner needed.

This special metal with mysterious qualities imbued by magic was the missing piece. This scene showed that even a trained immortal warrior cannot forge the sword to fight evil without the right metal ore that is touched by magic.

Alchemists refer to the source of this magical transference as elixir, in mystical spiritual circles around the world, it is also referred to as the HU (pronounced ?hue?), Kalame-Elahi or the Sound Current that transforms the mortal man to the divine being. To many mystics, this source is the Inner Master, a manifestation of God that can appear in the physical plane as well as all the spiritual dimensions.

Regardless of its content, this element brings in the unknown and merges it with the known. And in all its variations, love is the primary catalyst.

Did the script writer of Highlander have this in mind when he used the beautiful Alex Johnson to hand over the magical block to Conner? Did the director consider this setting by placing Conner in the location where he first experienced love after his resurrection?

A perfect setting if you ask me.

So, what does all this have to do with blades in general and Damascus blades in particular?

Damascus steel or Damascened steel also known as water steel is used in custom knife and sword making, pattern-weld and wootz (true damascus).

According to wikipedia, ?Wootz, is a steel alloy having a pattern of bands or sheets of micro carbides within a tempered martensite or pearlite matrix. Developed in India around 300 AD, (although some say as early as 200 BC). the word wootz may have been a mistranscription of wook, an anglicised version of ukku, the word for steel in many south Indian languages.?

When you turn a Damascus blade in your hand, complex patterns reflect on the surface. These are the result of the internal structural and the unique forging methods used in creating a Damascus blade and they give it a mystical appearance. It seems that it carries magic and it is not only a mundane blade. Skilled sword smiths can manipulate the patterns to create complex designs in the surface of the steel.

Could it be that the right ore in the hands of the right sword smith can re-create the legendary Excalibur Sword?

Since many of us do not have access to these legendary figures we have to rely on mundane practices such as checking the Rockwell scale. This scale is a common determination of hardness in metallurgy used in the United States. Its popularity arises from its speed, reliability, robustness, resolution and small area of indentation.

In simple terms an indentation is made and the depth of penetration is compared to the reference material. The depth of penetration is converted to a scale in which the harder the material the higher the number.

Common values are:

? Very hard steel (e.g. a good knife blade) HRC 55 to HRC 62 or so

? Axes, chisels, etc. HRC 40 - 45

Readings below HRC 20 are generally considered unreliable, as are readings much above HRB 100.

May you find the right sword smith to forge your spiritual blade.

About the Author:

Vishy Dadsetan writes articles that educate and entertain. Articles just like this one. Additional information is available at butterfly knife and samurai sword.

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Whether used in conjunction with Civil War reenactments and Renaissance Faires, or simply as collectors’ items, knives have never been more popular. From the smallest daggers to the largest swords, knives of all types are finding their way to the homes of aficionados across the nation.

The variety of knives and swords used throughout history is staggering. The abbasi, often decorated with gold, featured a padded hilt and a straight blade. The alamani was similar to the abbasi, with the exception that the blade of this Indian sword was curved. The ardaga, used for parrying, featured a shield with a blade that was attached to a spear, while the anelace double-edged knife had a broad blade that was a cross between a dagger and a sword.

The badelaire, which originated in 16th century Europe, had a blade that was curved and heavy. The earlier 13th century baselard featured a straight blade in the shape of a diamond and was used for thrusting in close combat. The steel beladah was much like a sabre, but with a guard for the knuckles, while the bilbo was bore a close resemblance to a rapier.

The craquemarte was a heavy sword, typically used on the seas, which featured a curved blade. Another heavy sword, the dalwel, required two hands to use and featured a blade with a square end. The Greek machera, on the other hand, was a bronze sword with a single-edged blade typically used for cutting.

Knives and swords have also been used by the military in combat during modern times. During the Civil War, all U.S. Army officers were issued swords with brass guards, while Confederate soldiers carried sabers with 35-inch blades. In World War I, U.S. military soldiers were armed with trench knives, while in World War II, sailors in the U.S. Navy carried one of over 30 different fighting knives. Even today, British military soldiers are equipped with daggers that can be stowed in their boots or on their belts. Having such equipment is a matter of survival.

In the dark fantasy realm, many aficionados collect fantasy knives and weaponry. From letter openers to Roman daggers, there is a knife, dagger, or sword for everyone’s tastes. Wizard Warrior fantasy daggers and Mermaid fantasy daggers have images on the blades. Starship and other futuristic fantasy blades appeal to the intergalactic longings of many collectors. For those who embrace the dark fantasy realm, knives, swords, and daggers bring skull and skeleton themes to life.

About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Gifts and Collectibles Website and Majon’s Gifts and Collectibles directory.
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I just want to tell you about a few knives I got the other day. They are from Maxam and come in a three pack, two straight blades, one like a bowie and the other has a saw tooth back, they vary a little and then there?s a khukri blade knife. They all are stainless steel with blackout finish. I used the khukri while camping a few nights ago. The blade is solid, sharp and thick enough for plenty of chopping and it’s shaped well for regular cutting. My friend and co-instructor Josh Henson used his to clean and gut a fish (spotted bass) that we caught, cooked and eat for breakfast after an overnight camping trip.

After using the khukri for a number of times the soft rubber handle has become looser than when new and the rivet to hold the handle on wobbles loose after a bit of use. I was able to push the rivet back with my thumbnail then pull it all the way out by hand. Cord wrapping the handle would help solve this problem, although grooves would have to be notched in it so that the cord would stay in place. The other knives have not been field tested as of yet but they have the same type rubber handles and rivets though they would not be used as rigorously as the khukri.

For the price and quality of the knives they would make fair knives that work well yet if lost or damaged I wouldn’t complain in excess. Maxam has other quality knives that I would also recommend. If you do not have the money or want to spend thirty to fifty dollars on a genuine Damascus steel khukri knife this may be the one you need. With a little modification to fit your personal feel and taste the khukri by Maxam could be an excellent survival knife. There may be more reviews latter if this article is accepted and published.

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It?s already won ?Knife of the Year? IWA International Knife Award for 2007. This prestigious award is presented annually at the IWA & OutdoorClassics exhibition. The IWA International Knife Award has become a badge of international quality and innovation.

The Victorinox Rescue Tool is innovative and imaginative as you would expect a Swiss Army Knife to be. The Rescue Tool arrived after five years of collaboration between Victorinox and emergency medical and rescue personnel. Extensive research, field testing and refinement have resulted in a product will be used to save countless lives.

You don?t even need to be a fire fighter, emergency medical technician, or law enforcement officer to appreciate this new lockblade knife. The Rescue Tool comes with a bright red and yellow nylon case that has a wide belt loop that fits most belts. The sides of the knife body itself are luminescent yellow and hard to miss when out of its carrying case.

The most impressive use of the Rescue Tool is the ability to go right through shatter-proof glass found on cars. The window breaker tool is a tiny nub that can pack a powerful punch. This small tip allows a rescue worker to make three to four good hits on a car windshield. Then the disc saw tool can be poked through the glass to begin the ?sawing? of the glass. A large area of a windshield can be safely removed for easy access to a person trapped inside a car when it is not possible to quickly go through the usual car door.

A rounded seatbelt cutter is included which can be used to cut right through seatbelts if need be. Most tools that are necessary for quick thinking and immediate action can be accessed while wearing gloves. Both left-handers and right-handers will find this to be a comfortable multitool to use.

Overall, the Rescue Tool is a good choice of tool to keep in your car glove compartment in case of emergency. A great new twist on an old favorite - the Swiss Army Knife!

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Just when you think Victorinox has done everything possible to a Swiss Army Knife, they throw in a surprise. Now you can have a Swiss Army Knife that has a laser beam on it. The red laser allows for 70 foot visible range and 300 foot visible range in complete darkness. It has self-regulating built-in circuitry to allow for maximum output with minimum power usage.

We all know that Swiss Army stands for ingenuity and quality at a fair price. Victorinox is a name brand that you can trust as it has been around for 100 years. Swiss Army Brands have already fascinated the public with all the useful features they use on their knives: saws, files, knives, pens, scissors, toothpick, tweezers, seatbelt cutters, bits, can openers, Phillips screwdriver tips, pliers, pins, orange peelers, hooks, clocks, reamers, LED lights, and such.

In the last few years digital readouts have become available that give readouts of temperature, altitude, time, and even an alarm clock. Models to check out are the Voyage and Traveller. Two years ago they came up with the built-in Swiss Memory stick in which you can transfer files to and from your computer by plugging it into your usb port. A Victorinox MP3 player with AM/FM radio has also joined their high tech lineup of pocketknives. Incredible. And you thought they just made quaint little red pocket knives.

The new for 2007 Swiss Memory by Victorinox Swiss Army Brands has come up with a multitool that has a laser beam that is actuated by a button on the body of the multitool and has the following features: a memory stick in either 1 GB or 2 GB, a keyring, and is airport friendly. Versions are also available that have the typical small knife blade, scissors, and nail file with screwdriver tip.

If you like old-fashioned Swiss Army Knives, you’re sure to love their high tech cousin: the Swiss Memory Laser. Imagine the wow factor when you pull this baby out of your pocket. Your friends will be amazed and think you are on the cutting edge of cool.

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Victorinox has been making Swiss Army knives since 1897. We all love them. The red handy pocket knife with a bottle opener, scissors, pliers, everything but the kitchen sink. Known for great value for your money and long lasting quality products, Victorinox branched out into luggage in 1999.

The Victorinox line of luggage such as wheeled luggage, tote bags, duffel bags, carry-ons, garment bags, briefcases, messenger bags, laptop cases, fanny packs, backpacks, security belts and locks, toiletry holders, umbrellas, accessories and so on has exploded onto the travel gear scene.

Victorinox Swiss Army luggage does a huge business in travel gear items. Knife sales are dwarfed in comparison but still remain extremely important to Victorinox. After all, it all started with a little red knife. Victorinox will continue to innovate and produce quality Swiss Army Knives, but it is a brand that has grown into a lifestyle. Victorinox has watches, kitchen cutlery, multitools, apparel and travel gear under its vast product line. All are over-engineered and of the highest quality.

In terms of luggage, there are basically three collections:

1. Tourbach

2. Mobilizer NXT

3. Werks Traveller

Tourbach is the top of the line, Mobilizer NXT is the mid-range for the frequent business traveller, and Werks is the entry level. It all depends on your budget, but most sales are in the entry level works line. Most people figure, why not? All pieces have a lifetime warranty, so they will tend to buy the most economical. Pieces do start in the $200’s, but in the long run, it is much cheaper to buy Victorinox luggage than to buy cheap, poorly made luggage that you have to replace over and over again due to quality issues. Victorinox will last you a lifetime. You might end up buying replacement luggage in the Victorinox line because you get tired of looking at the same rugged pieces of luggage! This stuff is sturdy and guaranteed to last.

A lifetime warranty is available and guarantees the travel products to be free from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship. Normal wear and tear is not covered, but there are generous options available for repair or refurbishing directly from the factory. Victorinox is a world famous, old brand and they have customer service and warranty down pat. You won’t be disappointed in a Victorinox product purchase.

If you have a need for any sort of travel gear or accessory, next time give Victorinox a try. You probably didn’t even know they made so many things besides knives these days.

Victorinox is even so protective with their brand, that they only allow a handful of trusted merchants to sell their travel gear products online. They have pre-screened online merchants for you so you know that you will have a good experience before you begin.

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Small yet handy. Simplicity at its finest. That is what you find with the keychain perfect Swiss Army Knife Classic 53001 by Victorinox. The Classic Knife is 2.28 inches long (58 mm) when closed. Not a bit bulky.

This tiny titan of marvelous design will wind up being your most useful gadget priced under $20. In your pocket or on your keyring, it cannot be beat. Fifty-eight millimeters long but stuffed with enough useful features to delight. Key ring, toothpick, tweezers, small blade, scissors, and nail file with screwdriver tip - it’s all it has and it is all you need for quick fixes.

The Classic is always ready to jump into action when the need arises. There are no batteries to charge or any button to turn on. This is a tool that needs no preparation.

What is it good for you ask? A lot of things. I can tell you what I’ve used mine for. The key ring obviously allows me to keep my Classic right on my keychain. Sometimes I use it with my Classic still attached to my keyring and sometimes I take it off. The toothpick is self-explanatory. The tweezers are good for plucking and picking. The small blade comes in handy for opening boxes, letters and packaging material.

I’ve used the scissors to cut thread and yarn, snip string, slice paper, clip coupons and my nails. I’ve used the nail file to soften a rough edge on my fingernail. I haven’t had a need for the screwdriver tip myself. I’m sure there are dozens of uses I haven’t even thought of for this little Swiss Army Knife.

The Classic Swiss Army Knife comes in the usual red color everyone is familiar with when one thinks of Swiss Army. But there is actually a plethora of colors to choose from: red 53001 , black 53003, pink 53005, cobalt blue 53002, hunter green 53024, hunter green with a shamrock 53014, blue with a Star of David 54002, purple 53034, gray 53006, white 53007, yellow 53008, translucent amythest, translucent onyx 54213, translucent sapphire 54214, translucent emerald 54214, translucent ruby 54211, stayglow (glow in the dark) 53208, camouflage 53490, translucent pink 54005 and translucent citrine 54218.

When I say translucent, I mean that the scale (side of the knife) is see-through. These translucents have a very beautiful and interesting look to them. Very modern and certainly different from the same-old-red that we’ve all known and loved for several decades already.

If you don’t think you’d ever use the screwdriver tip like me, there is a variation on the Classic that will suit you. Instead of the tip of the nail file being a small screwdriver, you can have the tip be pointy. This way it is really fantastic for cleaning your nails. Pointy is good. Part numbers for these special Victorinox Classics are as follows: 53181 red, 53183 black and 53185 pink.

The great thing about a quality item such as a Swiss Army Knife is its staypower. Swiss Army Knives last a lifetime … unless you lose them! Some people have been known to hang onto the same pocket knife for twenty years. Talk about money well spent! What other product can you spend under $20 for and be able to expect it to serve you and last for so long? Whether you are on your first knife for your tenth, you will always feel a little more prepared for what life throws at you if you’re packin’ a Swiss Army Knife.

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Case Knives is renowned for providing a huge line of collectible pocket knives to keep the avid knife lover in pocket knife paradise. On a monthly basis, Case Knives comes out with a new line or a new pocket knife in some form or fashion to expand it?s massive line of knives.

I can tell you that I have a few favorites when it comes to the huge Case Knives selection. But, let me begin with the Case Knives Black Barnboard line. You?ll find your Baby Doc, Barlow, Razor, Stockman and a few others in this style. This is a nice pocket knife and the handle material is very attractive demonstrating a dark rustic appeal. You won?t go wrong here adding one of these pocket knives to your collection.

The Case Knives Navy Blue Herringbone is another very good looking collectible pocket knife. What you?ll find here is an attractive Herringbone handle that really stands out. Case Knives has a slew of styles in this pocket knife line to include the Texas Toothpick, the Pocket Hunter, Copperlock, the Stockman version and a wide variety of others. This pocket knife is a must have for the Case Knives collector.

If you find your palms sweating and your mouth twitching as you glance over a huge selection of Case Knives, don?t allow the fear to overtake you. I recommend you breath deeply, relax, look these pocket knives over and make your selection with the calmness of a pocket knife collection guru?s reserve.

I can?t tell you how long these pocket knife lines are going to be around. Case Knives comes out with new ones all the time and the older version tend to disappear off of the market bringing the lucky owners quite the appreciation in value and the envy of others. Good luck with you Case Knife collection growth.

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Let’s talk about the Cold Steel Recon 1 tactical folding knife. I personally believe that this is one of the sharpest knives that you’re going to get straight from the factory. Cold Steel Knives has a knack for producing a razor sharp edge perfectly right like this Cold Steel Recon 1. You will find this blade will cut almost anything and is very slow to dull. This is also one of the most durable knives that I have ever dealt with. You won’t pick up a Cold Steel Knife that isn’t razor sharp to the touch. Stock up on band-aids folks.

The Cold Steel Knives blade is AUS 8A stainless steel.

The handles are G-10 laminate scales that are reinforced by heat treated steel liners and five locking bolts. You will find these handles to be very durable. Cold Steel Knives has done it again with the Cold Steel Recon 1 because you’re not going to destroy these grips without a huge intentional effort. This pocket knife is perfect for hard use in whatever field you’re in whether it is military or law enforcement. I’ve been in both fields and I assure you whether you’re opening up an MRE with this pocket knife or slicing into a jelly doughnut, you will succeed with a smile on the lips.

The blade has been given a Teflon finish that is highly scratch resistant and is very unlikely to rust. The Cold Steel Knives Recon 1 blade produces little glare which is perfect for tactical operations and the Teflon coating acts as a decent lubricant making cutting a bit easier. So, if you’re playing ninja with this pocket knife gripped in your nasty little grubs, don’t fret, the bad guy ain’t gonna see ya.

The pocket clip on the Cold Steel Recon 1 is small and discreet but is extra long. The length will prevent this knife from being knocked loose. The clip is not a nuisance to the palm while using the knife as it is flat and seemingly not present when in use. The clip is also ambidextrous. But, most importantly, you’ll look like a real-world super cop/soldier with this rugged lookin’ knife clipped to the inside of your pocket.

This is a fine all around knife. It is perfect for the hard core user or the recreational user. You pull one of these out to use in a military operation or just to trim your fingernails, you will be satisfied.

Specifications:

• Weight: 5.6 oz.
• Blade Thick: 9/64″ (3.5mm)
• Blade Length: 4″
• Handle: 5 1/3″ long. G-10
• Steel: AUS 8A Stainless
• Overall Length: 9 1/3″ Black Teflon Finish
• Sheath: Ultra Lock with Ambidextrous Stainless Pocket Clip

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Anyone who owns a Tops Knife has a taste and desire for a sturdy made and rugged military style knife. The reason I say this is because every Tops knife is actually a tool rather than a simple knife. A tool is used to perform a specific task or handle a variety of tasks. When a Tops knife is designed, it is designed as a tool.

Every Tops knife is designed drawing on years of real life experience. These knives are designed by professionals and experts in the fields of law enforcement, military, martial arts and outdoor professions. With that in mind, you know that when you purchase a Tops Knife, you?re getting a tool that has been honed to do what you intend it for.

When using a Tops Knife, don?t shy away from prying or pounding it. This knife is designed to do just that. Whether prying a window or door open (because you locked your keys inside and not to life that nice stereo residing in the living room) don?t feel like the knife is going to break, it isn?t.

I guess one of my favorites in the Tops Knife selection would have to be the Tops Knives Tom Brown Tracker. This is an evil and intimidating looking knife. The blade is a fierce looking 6.25 in. blade of 1095 high carbon alloy with 2.50 in. saw back and black traction coating. And, the handle is 5.50 in. gray linen Micarta. This Tops knife was designed by Tom Brown and featured in the movie “The Hunted” as well as the cover of BLADE Magazine. Get hold of one of these knives and you?ll definitely draw some looks. Whether they be looks of fear or envy, well, you?ll have to ask.

Another of my favorites from the Tops Knife line is the Tops Knives Mission Team 21. You?ll find a daunting looking 3.75 in. black blade of 1095 carbon steel. This thing looks like something that would be clutched in the grub of an American combat killing machine while coming through a window after the slam of a flash bang grenade. The handle is a 5.00 in. green/black Micarta semi-gloss. I can?t sit here and call this knife beautiful, because it isn?t. This Tops knife strikes more of an emotion in me than anything. This thing makes me want to come fast roping out of a Blackhawk with a smirk on my mouth. Ok, let me refill the coffee cup and settle down.

To some this article up, get yourself a Tops Knife. I can?t think of a finer made military style knife. Lay it on the coffee table before the buddies come over. That?ll keep their attention for the first few hours.

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