Featured Products
IMPORTANT NOTICE
It has been brought to our attention that a company calling itself ‘Blade Culture’ is representing blades that are of questionable quality, claiming that it also supplies blades, including Filipino blades to US companies. Apparently their customers, confused with the actual source of their purchased blades, return their purchases to other vendors.
PLEASE BE ADVISED that the site www.bladecultureusa.com is one company with two names under the acronym BCI: Blade Culture International Philippines, and Blade Culture International USA LLC. BCI has two locational operations: the Philippines and the USA. All blade products of the BCI are stamped this way: . BCI carries Filipino Historical Blades, Asian, Medieval, and Tactical blades. Japanese bladed weapons are stamped BCI (Blade Culture International) in Kanji characters.
BCI is a wholesale/retail company selling high quality blades stamped with our name. We have high confidence in our product quality and performance. BCI stands by its return and exchange policies. We keep track of all our first line customers so that we know exactly what we sold and to whom. We ask our customers or retailers to follow Return Instructions and to confirm mailing only to BCI. For your protection, we at BCI verify each blade received for exchange or return.
Please check us out on website at www.bladecultureusa.com. Our pictures carry water marks. Please be careful of false claims and blade imitations. There is only one Blade Culture International USA LLC and one Blade Culture International Philippines..
ABOUT
Blade Culture International (BCI) is a company born of G.Q Cutlery that was founded in 1970, whichin the mid-fifties came from “Vaciacraft”. Its roots trace back to more than two generations of craftsmen, artisans, and blacksmiths. Expert guidance in the metal craft also came from Local Blacksmiths and “Vaciadors” in the Philippines, Japan, USA, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Handmade swords, knives and traditional weapons produced by BCI are superior in workmanship and are unquestionably at par with world standards of blade making. In the early nineties, with the production of Katana or Japanese samurai swords, BCI earned international recognition. With special focus on the rich history of weaponry, BCI is committed to reviving, preserving, enriching, and propagating the indigenous craftsmanship, industry, and the unique cultural heritage of people from different partsof the world. BCI supplies retailers in the U.S.A, Germany, France, and Singapore. With the outstanding craftsmanship of its handmade blades, BCI products are renowned in the international community. At least a thousand pieces were made for members of the Philippine military and Special Forces, collectors/enthusiasts, hunters, and consumers. BCI is not limited to the manufacture and crafting of published line of swords, knives, or cutlery. BCI accepts orders of blade products to behandcrafted according to customized specifications, including requests for replications of traditional weapons, trading of other buy-products, and fabrications of novelties—for example, corporate give-away or honorary gifts. BCI’s goal is to expeditiously meet product requests without compromising the quality and craftsmanship that BCI proudly stands for. With the company’s ultimate goal of institutionalization as the “School of Living Tradition”, BCI is committed to providing local employment of master blacksmiths, polishers, weavers, and engravers in the community. BCI has recently established a distribution center in the United States. Handmade blades and other products are available through BCI USA, LLC. To order, go to www.bladecultureusa.com .
ABOUT OUR BLADE PRODUCTS
All our swords are handcrafted from steel with carbon content. The common steel is the 5160 high carbon steel. Oftentimes the 5160 is blended with D2 steel. Consisting of carbon, silicon and chromium, tools made of blended steel are of excellent quality. Blade Culture blends different kinds of steel (depending on availability). Our blades are tempered with a proprietary technique of tempering applications, controlled in its hardness according to the purpose and usage of each blade design. We have various techniques in tempering but the common methods are the differential or selective and spring tempering (flexible). The blended steel is tempered to durability/flexibility standards using our proprietary blade making process. Note that the supply determines the type of tempering employed- Selective (same as Japanese tempering where blade hardens on the edge from 58-62 rc. In this case, we temper at around 59 rc, then softens to the back for about 48-52 rc; or Spring (similar to European sword or double bladed swords) tempered to a range of 48 rc to 56 rc as required depending on the type of weapon for flexibility and durability.
Blended steel blades can be hardened by air, water and oil. What we get are fatigue-resistant types of steel, which are great as multi tasking tools. Because of the range in hardness, we do not give exact figures so as not to mislead customers but the Filipino blades are at 58-62 rc, just like the Japanese katanas.
We have 3 types of tang: the rat tang, full tang and chiseled tang (like that of the katanas). Rat tang usually has a thread and nut. Full tang has full metal with wood slabs. Chiseled tang, like that of a katana, has the handle (tsuka) with pegs (mekugi) to hold the handle and blade together. Each of these tangs was purposefully chosen when originally designed. In the olden days for example, the rat tang was used a) for balance depending on the length or thickness of the blade or b) for easier installation of decorative and solid wooden handle or c) to lower the cost by using less steel on the handle and use more wood instead.
Most wooden handles of Filipino weapons are made of Kamagong, also known as Philippine ebony because of its deep black to deep brown color. The Kamagong has also black and brown streaks running across the wood giving it a unique and beautiful pattern that adds aesthetic value to the weapon. The sheaths are made of mahogany. It is cured to look like age-old mahogany wood. It individually hand-carved, with the natural finished look, then buffed and polished. It is designed so that it can easily be restored or accessorized for collectors and enthusiast who may want to upgrade the sheath design. The fittings are made of brass or aluminum alloy to accessorize the sword guard, the handle, or the end of the handle. They are also used to decorate or add protection to the sheaths. Blade Culture weapons are historical weapons that resemble the original “ancient” blades but crafted with the added value of better material and workmanship (compared to the original) while preserving the look, feel, and functionality of the weapon. In hand forging each historical weapon, we pride ourselves with our attention to detail and craftsmanship of the original design while upgrading the blade to better blacksmithing standards for greater functionality and enhanced aesthetic value.
BCI MISSION STATEMENT
Blade Culture International (BCI) is inspired by the unique cultures of Southeast Asia and Europe, the indigenous craftsmanship of handmade blades and the unique cultural heritage of the sword. To this end, it is committed to:
“PRESERVE”
P rovide employment opportunities in the community where BCI is based with utmost priority for people with disabilities (PWDs), Out of School Youths (OSYs), the underemployed and the unemployed; and adherence to fair trade practices.
R evive programs for skills development, for art, and for handicraft training to enhance employability in industries both locally and internationally.
E xplore and utilize avenues of creativity and innovation by combining traditional and modern methodologies in creating quality product that are competitive in both the local and international markets.
S pearhead the establishment of organizations that PROMOTE the welfare of indigenous industries.
E ncourage expansion of small and medium enterprises and cottage industries related to sword, knife and cutlery manufacture and craftsmanship;
R atify partnerships with cutlers, martial art masters, collectors, and others for interdependence, constructive competition as well as application of best practices in both production and marketing in the industry;
V enerate history by retaining design of ancient blades and employing traditional methods in forging steel.
E mpower the local artisans, craftsmen, and artists as important pillars in collective efforts for national development.
As our slogan declares: “ Forged By Time, Crafted By Living Tradition”
* Blade making skills and techniques are shaped by the cultural influences of the past generations. Modern day methodology plus traditional blacksmithing are the adopted metal craftsmanship. Blade Culture International is here to PRESERVE the cultural heritage and history of edged weapons and help revive this remarkable craft.
IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR BLADE USERS: Customers and end users of our blades take full responsibility in the manner of product use. You may find videos of test cutting methods in this site demonstrated by experts, showing their own method of use. Understand that each design or build of blades may not share the same function or purpose(s). Usersdo not possess the same skills required to properly cut. Some blades are crafted from ancient patterns designed for purposes of the blade’s era; while most are designed to cut, others may not necessarily be suitable for hard objects. Any product part damage occurring from improper use or any type of product mishandling is not the responsibility of Blade Culture International U.S.A. LLC.
PRIVACY POLICY As we may collect identifiable Information from you, rest assured that we are committed to protecting your privacy.We ensure information safety and security by limiting your personal information to our customer files.
WARRANTY Blade Culture International USA, LLC (BCI USA LLC) warrants that the product is free from defects before it leaves our premises. Upon receipt of the product, however, any perceived ‘defects’ beyond Handicraft Design* should be brought to the attention of point of purchase (the dealer or BCI USA LLC) for consideration of warranty coverage. The following are not covered by product warranty:
- Normal wear and tear of blade, reactions of natural materials like wood, leather, horns, or weave to sudden changes in climate and humidity during transport between countries of origin and destination.
- Neglect, misuse/abusive use, failure to perform prescribed necessary maintenance, or disassembly by persons other than Blade Culture International.
*Handicraft Design: Each part of a product is crafted by hand and fitted individually during assembly. A product is therefore unique. Any perceived difference between any two parts of the same product name because of feature imperfections in natural material (like hue of fiber used in weave) is expected; it serves as a handmade signature for each piece.
DISCLAIMER
These weapons are not toys: Their misuse may result in injury, death, or damage to property. They are sold by Blade Culture International U.S.A, LLC (BCI USA LLC) as cultural artifacts only; no warranty, expressed or implied, is given for any other purpose. Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold BCI USA LLC, and its employees, members, agents and contractors, harmless in the event of damage or loss resulting from their possession, use or misuse.
Buyer is solely responsible for observing local laws and regulations. Some items sold by BCI USA LLC, may be illegal to purchase or possess in your jurisdiction. Know your local laws before you place your order!For orders shipped to destinations outside of the United States, buyer is solely responsible for Customs Clearance, including payment of any import duties imposed. Packages will be shipped with contents clearly marked on the outside. BCI USA LLC, its employees, members, agents and contractors, including shipping companies, are not held liable if your order fails to clear customs.Any returns have to be sent back post marked within 7 days of receiving any BCI USA LLC, products!Placing an order with BCI USA LLC, implies the buyer has read, understood and consented to these disclaimers.