Highlander Swords
Duncans Dragon Head Katana
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Without a doubt, the most popular sword to come out of the Highlander series is the Dragon Head Katana used by the immortal Duncan MacLeod. It seems like everyone wants this sword.
- Dragon Head Katana
- The Dragon Head Katana was created by Marto before Highlander: The Series aired. Since the show has aired however, other companies have made replicas of the blade, some of lower quality than the "original". Most companies carry the Marto version. There is only one that I know that also carries another brand, and I have indicated it below. There is a discrepency as to the length of the weapon, so I have indicated lengths in the vendor list.
Statistics:
-
- 420c Hardoned stainless steel with fill length Hamon (temper line).
- Hardness Rockwell 56 equivelent.
- Detailed Tsuba (guard).
- Well balanced.
- Carved simulated ivory (plastic) handle.
- Polished black lacquered metal Saya (scabbard)
- Comes live (sharpened).
- Weighs 3.5 lbs.
- (Approx.) 13" handle. 27.5" blade. 40" overall. (Yes, I know it doesn't add up.)
- For display only. Not battle ready.
Images:
- (You will need to use the back button on your browser to return.)
- View of sword and scabbard from an advertisment.(15k)
Extreame close up of hilt and dragon head. Every detail can be seen perfectly.(87k)
Side view of the sword and scabbard on red silk.(37k)
View of the carved hilt.(34k)
View of the dragon head.(26k)
View of the Tsuba.(26k)
View of the handle and Tsuba.(7k)
Another handle view.(66k)
Vendors:
-
- Camelot Fantasy Swords.
- 40" overall. 27.5" blade. $170.
- Castle Attic.
- 42.5" overall. 28" blade. $195
- Swords N' Stuff.
- 40" overall. 27.5" blade. $195.
- HSF swords. HSF has closed. It is unknown if the site will reopen.
- 41" overall. $189.99
- Variations:
- Marto actually sells the Dragon Head Katana in three forms. The ivory handle, as seen above, a pewtar handle, and a bronze handle.
There are also three lengths available through Marto. The Katana (longsword), Wakizashi (Short sword), and Tanto (Dagger). One of the Katanas (bronze I believe) Dragon Heads actually remove and is a concealed knife.
View the variations.(126k)
Take another look.(43k)
Katana and Wakizashi.(21k)
Vendors that sell the variations:
-
- Sir Lancelots Distinguished Cutlery
- Katana I:170, P:190, B:200
Wakizashi I:150, P:170, B:175
Tanto I:120, P:130, B:140
- Fantasy Cutlery
- Katana (42") $195. Wakizashi (32") $185. Set $455.
- Winter Steel Armory
- Katana I:216, S:270, B:270
Wakizashi I:189, S:243, B:243
Tanto I:169, S:238, B:216
Duplicates:
- The only company I've found on the net that sells the Dragon Head
Katana from a company other than Marto is a place called
Eye of the tiger.
They do carry the sword by Marto, but they also carry one by a
company called Cantos. As far as I know, there isn't much of a
difference between the two. Martos is 420c stainless steel. Cantos
is 440c stainless steel. Other than that, I think the Cantos sword
may be 42" overall, and the Marto 40" (which would clarify some of
the size confusion). Oh, and the price. Martos is $185, Cantos is
$135. As far as look, well, you compare.
Looking at my own comparison, the Marto as the metal ring around the
handle so it doesn't shatter on impact (a problem marto used to have,
but fixed), and the carvings on the handle, and the carving of the
dragon head are slightly different.
May 16 1997 By: kortwein@globalbiz.net