Dont worry if the store looks different today and over the weekend..

Hi guys,

I am too busy doing the actual work to blog about whats been done to date (anyone paying attention may notice it looks, feels and handles a tad more modern (oxymoron - not you, my terminology - heck and me! Who collects swords in 2014?

Well, I have run this store since 2007 - and now we are investing for 2014 and beyond. Check the site in your tablet, ipad, iphone, android, robot or that thing that used to be attached to the keyboard.. (which I have been more or less non stop for the last few days) - so forgive me if things on the outside keep changing in the wee hours.

Unless we switch payment options off in the wee hours US Easter standard time, the system remains secure and running safely 100% of the time..!

Sorry for an unfamiliarity, I think it should be worth bearing with me in short term.

Will update with more info after a bit of a rest. Apologies if any emails directed at me take until Mon evening before I can personally reply - its actually a bit of a messy backlog due to the need to focus o the store so much, but after a break and some tweaking the store over the weeked, I will do my best to focus on amy emails for me that have build up by Monday night at the latest.. (sorry, its worth it I think!)..

- Paul

Another Three Dojo Pro

We have just added another 3 new Dojo Pro models to the store - stunning and very popular new designs, check them out by clicking the links below:

Dojo Pro Model 19
Dojo Pro Model 20
Dojo Pro Model 21

P.S. You may have noticed some changes in the right hand column, now the new products page is only accessible from the blog and there is a quick exit link image back to the main store page while clicking the SBG logo on any of the blogs will take you to the MAIN site home page (not store, the informational section of the site and reason why we have a store in the first place!).

Dont tease or remove the TSUBA!!!!

ANTlers or just skinny horns..?

I did, and while it is arguably an improvement, turning into a bald zombie and sprouting antlers (they look a bit like ant feelers! But they were actually cropped from some horned real life beasty) doesn't suit everyone..

The reason for the faux horror is of course to try and give the latest addition to the SBG line up, the Ronin Katana Dojo Pro "Trapped Oni Soul" Ko Katana, the evil, smaller twin of the original bad boy that added + 3 to Dexterity as just one of its special powers.. (and as you can see, one of the others can cause some monsterism - as the Oni is trapped in the actual tsuba, removing it should only be attempted by senior members of the clergy or while wearing gloves at the very least...)

Of course, all kidding and spoofing aside - the actual sword is TRULY a little terror.





Cosmetically of course it is exactly the same color scheme (red and black as every discerning Oni just will not have it any other way!), though diametrically opposed - the original design is a huge 30" blade while the Ko Katana is a mere 24", but is incredibly fast in the hands (easily usable in one hand, it comes alive when used with two) its not just mean looking - it is MEAN!!

And bad tempered too, especially if you fiddle with, remove, tease, annoy or upset the tsuba.

 

Check it out in the store here

 

I think I had entirely too much fun with photoshop on this one..!

 

OTHER STORE NEWS

Things have been VERY busy the last few days, the SBG Custom Katana flicked between batches without the usual 2-3 month downtime and so far things are going very smoothly with the Custom Katana re-release. Everyone who got in on the most recent batch should get their swords by June 5th, all orders coming in now - late July - and with plenty of time to tweak and adjust your design before it goes to the forge.

And as the store overhaul continues - both the store blog (the thing you are reading now) and the dedicated Black Dragon and SBG Custom Katana forge blog have just been given a nice overhaul, coat of paint and are laying the foundations for more frequent use and usability.

And as anyone who received the exclusive store newsletter that went out a few days ago will know, things are about to get even busier and more exciting - so stay tuned folks! Plenty more to come, with 3 new Dojo Pro hot on the heels of the Oni Ko Kat - I must admit the saya on model 21 is unique and very attractive, my favourite in the classic series thus far I think.



Should be available in the store by this time tomorrow if all goes to plan!

Lots going on behind the scenes, so I need to get back to it - but will post again here very soon!