Paul Chen and Hanwei

We have recently added Hanwei's popular Orchid series to our website. Each piece in the Orchid group has a hand-forged and folded ASSAB-K120C powder steel blade, differentially tempered to produce an HRC60 edge, HRC40 back and a distinctive hamon. Saya are deeply lacquered in blue. High quality ray skin is used on the tsuka, and the tsuka-ito and sageo on all three pieces are woven from Japanese cotton. The tsuba of the Katana & Wakizashi is of blackened iron, with an Orchid and Butterfly decoration inlaid in silver, brass and copper. The koiguchi and kurigata are of buffalo horn, and the fuchi, kashira and kojiri are of bronzed iron with silver and gold detailing. The habaki is of one-piece brass construction. The blades are ungrooved, and the Katana and Wakizashi feature medium-length Kissaki. 
 

London International Jousting Tournament

Real, rugged, and raw. Full-contact jousters have been referred to as modern day gladiators…A man…A beast…An arena…A crowd. The execution of the 2003 London International Dragon’s Lair Jousting Tournament marked the first time that this event was held indoors. Global Spectrum Facility Management, operators of the John Labatt Centre were extremely happy to be able to bring an event of this nature to the City of London. Witness the largest tournament in 500 years combining adventure, speed, chivalry and fierce competition. Come see the King of Xtreme sports and capture all the thrills and spills in bone crunching style with competitors and spectators from around the world. Preparations have already began for the upcoming tournament next year.