However, if you truly wanted a sword from one of the best smiths on earth, then you’d want to look to some of the mukansa or National Living Treasure smiths such as Amada Akitsugu, Yoshihara Yoshindo, Ono Yoshimitsu, etc. You may be able to find some of their work being resold by collectors, but you may also find out through the NBTHK how to commission work for a new sword (http://www.nbthk.net/). Cost could be $35,000 or more depending on fittings and if you want a high quality polish. You can also connect with other Japanese smiths through services from Tozando or Budo Aoi…it will be listed under “shinsakuto” which basically means a newly made sword. The cost of those is closer to $10-20,000.
Of course you also have all of the antique swords from famous smiths from throughout history such as Masamune, Muramasa, Go Yoshihiro, etc. that likely far exceeds the quality of anything anyone today can reproduce…if you could even find one available. The very best swords in Japan are National Treasures, and I believe it is illegal for them to leave the country.
The links that others provided would be where I would go to get reasonable blade. They are functional and at the price that makes sense to arm oneself with a blade.
If you had millions and you had to get the best then I would start practicing japanese sword art and go take a trip to Japan. Reason? It isn't because katana is the most bestest most magically perfect sword in the world. No, I prefer other blades than katana actually. The reason for the japanese sword is that there is licensed smiths that are limited in the amount of blades they can produce(so not mass produced) and there are places where their works are judged by a group of experts. Obviously these blades are expensive, and seeing that the production is limited the smiths could be choosy about who gets to purchase their blades. They tend to sell only in Japan or to Japanese due to preference and possibly even law. They tend to prefer to sell to a swordsman than a collector. So that's where I would go if I really had that drive to get the best functional blade.
If I were getting something for collection as well as function, then I might try to get a very well made historical blade in useable condition instead. But really those links above is plenty good enough for a standard swordsman, so no need to drop millions.
Japanese steel (tamahagane) isn't the best. Actually, it's kind of terrible. For a handmade, world-class sword you should go to Japan anyway, because they preserved their sword making skills the best. Be warned that you'll need a translator who speaks fluent Japanese, and that the absolute best swords cannot be taken out of Japan. The Japanese consider swords a form of art, and will allow you to own one, but not take it out of the country. Get one custom made without a lot of decoration to avoid it getting declared a national treasure. Then you can take it back home with you. Most decoration weakens the blade anyway.
Make sure you know how to care for it, because you'll be lynched if you damage it. This will probably require special training, as well as a few years in a Kenjutsu school. That's not too bad, after all what's the point of owning a sword you don't know how to use? The only difficulty is finding a school without moving to Japan. Most of the best Japanese schools will also require you to live in Japan, they won't teach people on vacation.
If Japanese blades aren't your thing, search for one of the blade-smiths researching Wootz steel. Wootz steel, also known as Damascus steel is an ancient material used in a number of Western longswords that rival the quality of the best Japanese blades. They're sharp enough to cut like a katana, even more resilient (the edge of a katana has a tendency to chip) and retain a design suitable for thrusting. My personal ideal sword would be a longsword or side-sword made of Wootz steel. Think of Valyrian steel from A Song of Ice and Fire and you won't be too far off.
The problem is, the forging technique used to make the Damascus swords was never recorded. Also, much of western martial arts have been lost, and the secrets of their swords with them. The smith may not know how to make a well-balanced weapon, even if he has the superior material.
Personally made swords are expensive, but all true swords are made. There are many manufactures, some better than others. Here are a few:
http://www.chenessinc.com
http://www.coldsteel.com
http://darksword-armory.com
http://www.albion-swords.com
I would list kultofathena.com but service is unavailable at the moment :(
http://www.swordsoftheeast.com/BattleRea...
http://www.paulchenhanweiswords.com
All of these swords are excellent high quality weapons for your money.
My personal favorites are the:
The Coldsteel Warrior Elite Series Katana
Cheness 9260 Springsteel Katana
I own the Cheness cutlery one. Hell of a sword and extremely durable. My brother and I were out cutting tatami and bottles with it. My brother missed a bottle and hit a BOB base; http://www.treadmillfactory.ca/product_i...
The bottom plastic part, which is hard tough plastic. Cut right through it, lopped it clean off. No damage to the sword whatsover.
http://www.thaitsuki.com/catalog.php?CID...
http://www.coldsteel.com/Category/4_1/Sw...
Tips:
- Do some research so you know what kind of properties different types of metal/metal working techniques have
- ask what type of steel/techniques they used, if you want a real quality sword the name 'high carbon steel' isn't going to do it
If you had millions of dollars to make one sword you could probably develop a way better sword then what is available on the market today. You could make some really rare (expensive) alloys.
Google coldsteel.
http://www.knightsedge.com/default.aspx
http://www.knightsedge.com/c-18-battle-r...
My ***** maker:
http://www.knightsedge.com/p-818-the-gia...
Okay let's say I want a sword made just for the heck of it. (Preparing for the zombie apocalypse.. Jk)
Where would I go to do it? I understand the best metal would be Japanese carbon steel. But my question is: is there still people who make high quality swords? And I'm talking combat ready, super high quality. Let's just say I had millions upon millions of dollars.
Do different sword smiths have better credibility/technique than others? If so where would I find the best?
