FAQ

Our steel swords are sold to adults aged 18 or over only. You confirm your age on the product page before adding a sword to the cart, and we may ask for photo ID before we dispatch an order. Laws on buying, owning and carrying swords differ between countries, states and provinces. It is your responsibility to check and follow the laws where you live before ordering.

In Victoria and South Australia, swords are classed as prohibited weapons. You can only buy one if you hold a valid exemption or approval, for example through membership of a recognised collectors' or martial arts organisation. We'll ask for proof together with photo ID before shipping to an address in Victoria or South Australia.

No. Our anime, game and film swords are inspired by the original designs. They are not made, sponsored or endorsed by the owners of those series.

Yes, apart from our wooden models, every blade is real steel. The specification table on each product lists the exact steel (1045 carbon steel, T10 tool steel, 1065 carbon steel, manganese steel or folded pattern steel) and the polish. Steel swords ship with a sharpened edge by default. If you would prefer an unsharpened (blunt) blade, contact us before ordering and we’ll arrange it.

These swords are made mainly for collecting, display and cosplay. They are not designed for cutting hard targets. Misuse can bend, chip or break a blade and can cause serious injury.

We currently ship only to Australia, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and France, and shipping is free on every order. Swords are sent in a protective box with tracking. Orders outside Australia may attract import duties or taxes on arrival, paid by the recipient. Laws on buying, owning and carrying swords differ between countries, states and provinces. It is your responsibility to check and follow the laws where you live before ordering.

Each sword takes 5 business days to prepare, then delivery takes about 5–10 business days, so please allow around 10–15 business days from order to delivery. You’ll receive a tracking link by email as soon as your sword ships.

Unless a listing says otherwise, the stand shown in the photos is a photography prop and is not included.

Email us within 14 days of delivery with your order number and photos of the item and the packaging, and we’ll send you a free replacement. The same applies if you receive the wrong item. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law are not affected.

Customers in Germany and France can withdraw within 14 days of delivery under EU law and pay the return postage. For Australia, the USA, Canada and New Zealand, we don’t accept change-of-mind returns, so please check the specifications before ordering. Items that arrive damaged or incorrect are replaced free of charge. See our Returns & Refunds page for details.

Avoid touching the blade with bare hands. Wipe it clean after handling, and apply a thin coat of blade oil every few weeks. Store it somewhere dry. Our Sword Care Guide walks you through it step by step.

Choose by how you will use the sword. 1045 carbon steel (about 0.45% carbon) is tough and affordable, a good fit for display and cosplay. 1065 carbon steel (about 0.65% carbon) holds an edge better while staying resilient. T10 tool steel (about 1% carbon) is the hardest steel we sell and is often clay-tempered to show a hamon, but it needs regular oiling. Manganese spring steel flexes and returns to true. Folded pattern steel is chosen mainly for its layered grain. Every listing names its steel in the specification table.

They are told apart mainly by blade length and how they were worn. A katana has a curved blade over about 60 cm and was worn edge-up through the sash. A tachi is a long, often more curved sword slung from the belt edge-down. A wakizashi has a blade of roughly 30–60 cm and a tanto one under about 30 cm. Browse katana, tachi, wakizashi and tanto.

Check three numbers in the specification table: blade length, handle length and overall length. For display, make sure your stand or wall space fits the overall length. For practising forms, pick a handle long enough for both hands and a weight you can control comfortably, and follow your instructor’s advice. Not sure? Email info@lqforge.com with your height and how you will use the sword, and we will suggest models.

Clay tempering (differential hardening) means the smith coats the spine in clay before quenching. The edge cools fast and becomes very hard, while the spine stays softer and absorbs shock. Where the two meet, a wavy line called the hamon appears along the blade. Only listings that say “clay-tempered” or “real hamon” are made this way.

Swords are regulated by each state and territory, not nationally. In Victoria, swords are prohibited weapons: you need a Chief Commissioner’s approval or a Governor in Council exemption (Victoria Police). In Queensland, swords do not need to be licensed, but the Weapons Act misuse provisions still apply (Queensland Police). In every state, carrying a blade in public without a reasonable excuse can be an offence. See our state-by-state guide. This is general information, not legal advice.

Swords are not on the Australian Border Force list of weapons that need police certification (Form B709B) to import. That list covers items such as daggers, throwing knives, crossbows and nunchakus (ABF). Border officers can still inspect any parcel, and your state’s laws apply once it arrives.

We prepare and dispatch each sword within 5 business days and email you a tracking link as soon as it ships. Delivery then takes about 5–10 business days. If tracking has not updated for several days, email info@lqforge.com with your order number and we will look into it.

• Made in Longquan: our swords come from workshops in Longquan, Zhejiang, whose sword forging was listed as a national Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2006 (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network).
• Full specifications: steel, lengths, hardness, fittings and weight on every listing, with real photos.
• Free tracked shipping to Australia, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and France, dispatched within 5 business days.
• Free replacement if a sword arrives damaged or wrong; tell us within 14 days.
• Responsible seller: adults 18+ only, with exemption checks for Victoria and South Australia.
• Australian business: ABN 56 699 487 360, and real people answer at info@lqforge.com.