Watching a sword being made is a wonderful and rewarding experience.  That is just what I spent two weeks doing at our Generation2 foundry.  And watching these skilled craftsmen (and that is just what they are, Craftsmen) just blew me away!

They start with a flat bar stock of 5160 and/or 10/60 carbon steel and start forging it just like the skilled craftsmen centuries ago.  They start with a hot forge as shown below.

On this day they were heating and hammer forging the "Musso" Bowie blade.

I observed them heat the raw material and hammer it out, keeping the metal red hot so as to work the steel.  Once they forged it into a workable shape it was sent to another craftsman to grind out the final look.

Why grind it?  So as to give you the beautiful lines you see in every Generation2 item.  And to be able to fit the handles to give you that tight fit and finish we have been known for.  But as you look closely at our swords or knives you can still see the hammer marks from forging.  Our customers demand quality and that is just what we give them.

Next we moved on to the heat treating and tempering stage, and it is done at one station.  They heated the blade to a red hot temperature and then oil quenched it to harden it.  This is called the hardening process.
After hardening we use a unique tempering process.  To give it the flexibility needed to a point.  (Sorry, this is a Proprietary Trade Secret).
"Let me interject here and say this.  It is not good to flex a sword.  Each time you do this and take it to that limit (meaning the point that once you go past here, you risk damaging the memory of the steel.  You will weaken the blade each time you do this.  Do not do it."

Shown here the heat treating and later tempering of the blade.

Next the blade move on to a polisher who puts a high polish that many of you have come to appreciate in our swords.  There is also a person who machines out the pommel and cross guards of our swords and knives.  Also a specialized person who shapes all the handles, and person who fits them all together.
And yes a person who does final inspection to ensure proper fit and finish.

We even have people who only do the wood scabbards and people who do the leather scabbards.

Each piece of the sword or knife and each scabbard it made and fit for just that piece, not mass produced and mass assembled.  Each one is meticulously  done, but yes at different specialized stations.

Why are we showing and telling you this.  Because you have asked and because we are proud of our exclusive and specialized foundry and we are proud the the quality it produces.

"Historical Recreations"  (History Lives)

"Stage Combat Line"

"Martial Arts Training Line"

"Historical Knives"  New!

Click on the picture above to go
to the Hank Reinhardt Collection

A word from Hank:

I have had people question me regarding the affiliation with Generation 2 swords, since I never carried any Filipino made swords at MRL. The answer is very simple. The swords we looked at were case hardened and not fully tempered. Case hardening is where the surface of the steel is treated with carbon. The metal is heated up and soaked, and then quenched. This leaves a hard edge, but the interior of the sword is soft. After being sharpened a few times, the hard portion is worn away, and only soft metal remains. More importantly, the body of the sword is not tempered. 

However the Gen 2 swords are fully heated treated (tempered) all the way through. The swords I have looked at have all be a good quality sword, made with good steel and capable of being used. In reality they are better than the original, since the metal and the heat treating more consistent than swordmakers were able to get in the past.
 

So what you get are good quality swords at an affordable price.

In addition, the fit and finish that I have seen is better than a large majority of swords from other sources.

The swords, and the sword prices, should speak for themselves, and they do.
 

                                                                  Hank Reinhardt

We are teaming up with Last Legend to make Pro Sword. How does that work you ask? Well mostly Last Legend will make the oriental portion of Pro Sword and Generation 2 will make the medieval aspect.

But, there is also in the works and I am sure many are busting to find out if it is true, but Last Legend, Generation 2 and Pro sword has the Hank Reinhart, yes the Hank Reinhart sending us desings to make a "Hank Reinhart" collection. Both Last Legend and Generation2 have 3 drawings to start with.

Does this mean this deal is in the bag? No, we have to first make the proto-types and Hank has to approve. I will tell you he was impressed by our Crusader sword we sent to to inspect.

Also if you want to know more about how well Generation 2 swods are made and to read an interview I had with Paul Southren from Sword Buyers Guide www.sword-buyers-guide.com/ezine.html Click on the link. You will have to subscribe to his newsletter. But it is free.

Well that is all I have for now. But as new items or news come in you will find it posted on our website and posted here.
 

Clyde Hollis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Customer Response
Lucerne Sword:
Back in October I purchased The Lucerne Sword and I just wanted to say that it exceeded any expectations that I had!
It's tough as nails, I haven't chopped logs like I have seen on other sites but I have done a good share of test cutting with plastic bottles and rolled newspapers. The Lucerne has held up with nothing coming loose and the edge has stayed EXTREMELY sharp. The sword is also very well balanced, making it feel lighter than it's actual weight and I have been able to use it successfully single handed. The response is much the same from any one who handles The Lucerne. Also when I placed the order over the phone your staff had exceptional service. When my next edged weapon purchase comes up Gen2/ Imperial weapons will be the first place I will look.
Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Chuck