Functional Swords – Real Battle-Ready Blades

Q: What type of steel is used for functional swords?

Most functional swords are made from high-carbon steels such as 5160, 1060, or numerous 10xx carbon steels. These steels are heat-treated for the right balance of hardness and flexibility, allowing them to withstand the rigors of real cutting practice.

Hand-forged carbon steel swords made for cutting practice, stage combat, and martial arts.

At Reliks, our functional swords, also known as "battle-ready swords" are real weapons forged with the same techniques used by historical swordsmiths. Each blade is properly heat-treated, tempered, and balanced for authentic handling. Whether you train in Tameshigiri, Iaito, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, or Western Martial Arts (WEMA), these swords deliver the strength and resilience demanded by serious practitioners.

Collectors will also find historically accurate designs from the medieval, Viking, Japanese katana, and renaissance eras, each created by respected makers such as Hanwei, Legacy Arms, and Kingston Arms. Explore our full line below and discover the perfect sword for display, practice, or performance.

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NEW

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Dragonfly Wakizashi w/Katana Handle

By: Cold Steel

The Cold Steel Dragonfly Wakizashi with Katana ...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $667.99

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NEW

(3)

Forged Bill's Sword

From the Hattori Hanzo Collection comes a stunn...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $255.99

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Mukade Ni Katana

By: Bugei

The Mukade Ni Katana marks the triumphant retur...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $7'099.99

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(4)

Honshu Training Wakizashi Sword

By: Honshu

The Honshu Wakizashi Training Sword offers a sa...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $52.99

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(5)

Italian Storta Sword

By: Cold Steel

The Italian Storta rose into prominence in the ...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $724.99

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(4)

Kit Rae Exotath Training Sword

By: Kit Rae Fantasy Art

Master your sword skills with the Kit Rae Exota...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $85.99

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(3)

Honshu Training Viking Sword

By: Honshu

Having a high quality and safe tool to practice...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $68.99

view listing...

(6)

Signature Series Sword of Roven

By: Windlass Steelcrafts

Introducing the Signature Series by Windlass! S...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $539.99

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(9)

Maciejowski Chopper

By: Windlass Steelcrafts

The Maciejowski Chopper is one of the most stri...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $326.99

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(3)

Miao Dao

By: Dragon King

The Miao Dao sword, or “grain leaf sabre,” earn...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $927.99

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(4)

Training Gladius Waster

By: Windlass Steelcrafts

Train like a Gladiator, but with a modern alloy...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $170.99

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(7)

British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword

By: Windlass Steelcrafts

Also known as Sharpe’s Sword, and made famous b...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $525.99

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(12)

Writhen Hilt Sword Type XVIIIa

By: Deepeeka

The Writhen Hilt Sword in the Royal Armouries i...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $339.99

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(11)

15th Century Cluny Long Sword

By: Deepeeka

Deepeeka's 15th Century Longsword inspired by T...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $268.99

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SALE

(9)

Venetian Cinquedea

By: Deepeeka

The Cinquedea is a distinctive and historical w...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): ~~$283.99~~ $258.28

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(10)

British Light Cavalry Sword

By: Deepeeka

One of the most famous British light cavalry sw...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $149.99

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SALE

(1)

(14)

Gladius Of Mogontiacum

By: Deepeeka

The life of a Roman legionary in the early Roma...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): ~~$272.99~~ $247.88

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(5)

Ottoman Kilij

By: Windlass Steelcrafts

Of all the sabers that originated in central As...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $525.99

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(4)

Spada Da Lato Side Sword

By: Kingston Arms

The Side Sword was a military sword of the 16th...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $562.99

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(3)

Honshu Single Handed Broadsword Trainer

By: Honshu

Having a high quality and safe tool to practice...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $68.99

view listing...

(3)

Halfling Sword

Halflings are typically characterized by their ...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $357.99

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(3)

Honshu Historic Forge Viking Sword

By: Honshu

Wield the might of the Viking age with the Hons...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $421.99

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(11)

Persian Scimitar

By: Cold Steel

Across the vast and ancient lands of the Persia...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $397.99

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(7)

French Napoleonic ANXI Hussar’s Sword

By: Windlass Steelcrafts

The Napoleonic Hussar Saber recalls the daring ...

In Stock - Ships from Canada
Price (CAD): $539.99

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Category

European Swords
Reliks functional European swords are suitable for re-enactment, stage use or for theatrical duel...
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Japanese Swords (Katana)
Our functional Japanese swords and katana are suitable for the martial artist and collector. Thes...
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Chinese Swords
Reliks.com's functional Chinese swords are crafted for the martial artist, designed with consulta...
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Fantasy Swords
Fantasy and movie swords that are not only collectible, they are real forged swords!
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Category

Functional Rapiers
Reliks sword store offers functional rapiers that are made for the historical fencer. These rapie...
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Category

Stage Combat Swords
Stage swords are made to withstand heavier abuse than our historically accurate battle ready swor...
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Category

Cavalry Sabre
Our selection of American Sabers and British Sabres our hand forged and as functional as the orig...
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Category

Practice Swords
A swordsman has never become a master without the proper training equipment. We have a wide selec...
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What Makes a Sword “Functional”?

A functional sword is not a replica made only for display, but a a fully tempered, sharpened, and balanced weapon capable of cutting suitable sword targets. The blades are crafted from high-carbon steels such as 5160, 1060, or many other 10xx steels and mounted with solid tang construction to ensure durability during training or test cutting.

Choosing the Right Functional Sword

If you’re new to sword collecting or martial arts, start with a battle-ready katana or European longsword designed for your practice style. Each sword type has a distinct geometry and balance, suited for different techniques and forms of cutting. You can compare durability, weight, and flexibility among leading brands right here at Reliks.

Functional Swords for Every Discipline

From Japanese katana to European arming swords, our functional collection includes blades optimized for:

Tameshigiri practice and Iaido training
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
Stage combat and choreography
Collectors seeking historically accurate reproductions

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Most of our functional swords come sharpened or have a sharpening service available and are fully capable of cutting sword targets such as tatami mats, bottles, or pool noodles. Some models can also be ordered unsharpened for safe martial arts practice or display.

Most functional swords are made from high-carbon steels such as 5160, 1060, or numerous 10xx carbon steels. These steels are heat-treated for the right balance of hardness and flexibility, allowing them to withstand the rigors of real cutting practice.

Yes, functional swords are legal to own in most areas across Canada and the United States. However, laws can vary by province or state, so it’s always best to check your local regulations regarding transport, public carry, and import restrictions.

A battle-ready sword (or functional sword) is forged from high-carbon steel with a full tang and properly heat-treated for strength. These are made for cutting and martial training. Decorative swords, by contrast, are made for display only and are not heat-treated or balanced for real use.

Yes, many functional swords can be used for stage combat when properly maintained and inspected before use. Always ensure that blunted or unsharpened versions are used, proper safety equipment is worn and you have received proper instruction for choreographed performances to maintain safety for all participants.

Caring for Your Sword Durin...
Protect your sword from winter damage with this complete guide to humidity control, safe storage,...
Read More »
Notice for Our U.S. Customers
U.S. customers will face additional import tariffs assessed at the border, beyond regular duties....
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Choosing the Right Iaito fo...
Discover how to select the ideal iaito sword for your height and training level. Learn traditiona...
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The Decorative Sword vs. Th...
In this article we are going to have a look at the functional sword and the decorative sword and ...
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Viking Sword Type Æ – The L...
Type Æ Viking swords, with curved guards and no pommel, mark the late 10th century. Transitional ...
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Viking Sword Type Z – Late ...
Viking Sword Type Z—curved guards, silver wire ornament, and hints of medieval design. A weapon a...
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Viking Sword Type Y – The C...
Type Y swords, with their crest-like upper guard and long sweeping lowers, defined the late Vikin...
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Type X – The Late Viking “H...
Ubiquitous late-Viking swords with a single-piece half-round upper and long lower guard. Begins e...
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Type W – Early 10th-Century...
Rare Viking swords with a one-piece cast-bronze guard-and-pommel. West Norway & Trøndelag finds, ...
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Viking Sword Type V — Tripa...
Learn about Viking Sword Type V, a rare West Norwegian sword style with tripartite pommels and st...
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Viking Sword Type U (Late 1...
Viking Sword Type U is a rare late 10th-century form with straight guards, tripartite pommels, an...
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Viking Sword Type T — 10th ...
Viking Sword Type T were late 10th-century hilts with tripartite pommels, silver ornament, and in...
Read More »

View Our Library »

How to Care for Your Sword During a Harsh Winter Notice for Our U.S. Customers: Tariff Impact Decorative Vs Functional Swords The Benefits of C60 High Carbon Sword Steel 1080 High Carbon Steel in Sword Making EN45 Swords - Spring Alloy Steel 1075 High Carbon Steel Swords 1095 High Carbon Steel Swords 9260 Spring Steel Swords 5160 Spring Steel Swords 1085 High Carbon Steel - Sword Steel 1065 Carbon Steel for Swords

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Functional Swords – Real Battle-Ready Blades

Dragonfly Wakizashi w/Katana Handle

Forged Bill's Sword

Mukade Ni Katana

Honshu Training Wakizashi Sword

Italian Storta Sword

Kit Rae Exotath Training Sword

Honshu Training Viking Sword

Signature Series Sword of Roven

Maciejowski Chopper

Miao Dao

Training Gladius Waster

British 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword

Writhen Hilt Sword Type XVIIIa

15th Century Cluny Long Sword

Venetian Cinquedea

British Light Cavalry Sword

Gladius Of Mogontiacum

Ottoman Kilij

Spada Da Lato Side Sword

Honshu Single Handed Broadsword Trainer

Halfling Sword

Honshu Historic Forge Viking Sword

Persian Scimitar

French Napoleonic ANXI Hussar’s Sword