|
|
|
|
About KR Fantasy Art and Arms - Collectors List - Sword Care
"My swords and knives are 'fantasy art'. I consider them sculptures in steel, hence the phrase 'edged fantasy art'. While a few are perfectly functional designs, most are not and were never intended to be. These are for collectors and lovers of fantasy art, so open your mind and enjoy" - Kit Rae
Kit Rae is one of the foremost fantasy/collectible weapon designers and artists in the industry with a worldwide following for his unique weapon designs and fantasy art. Kit has also designed numerous functional knives and throwing knives. Images from a hidden world of dreams and nightmares inspire this line of edged creations, exclusively manufactured by United Cutlery. Since 1984 Kit's fantasy knives and swords have appeared in numerous films and television shows and have spawned the creation of a huge collectible market worldwide for fantasy weapons that has generated numerous imitators. His most well-known creation is the world renowned, best selling Swords of the Ancients collection. All of Kit's edged fantasy weapons include a companion print of his fantastic artwork and a mythology about each weapon. His edged creations are available at fine knife, fantasy, and collectible stores worldwide.
Kit's designs are some of the most imitated and copied designs in the knife and sword industry. The authentic originals are marked on the blades with the Kit Rae sword logo, a KR or UC number is marked on the back of each blade, and each includes a parchment certificate (except some early knives and Kit's sporting knives), and the packaging is clearly marked with the Kit Rae logo and trademarks. Each Kit Rae sword includes poster print of Kit's art. If it is missing any of these it is likely a fake.
The Swords of the Ancients - The highly popular Swords of the Ancients collection, created in 1997, has become legendary the world over among collectible sword enthusiasts who want only the finest designs and highest quality. The SOTA collection single handedly created the 'fantasy sword' industry, and there are many imitators, but these are the genuine articles. The original ten swords are highly sought after treasures, and two new additions are added to the collection annually. Each features tempered 420J2 blades, false edged, and highly detailed antique finished metal handle parts, all made to the designers exacting specifications. They also include an accompanying art print and a certificate of authenticity including the mythology behind the weapon.
The entire mythology can be found on this web site. Approximately two new swords are added to the collection each year. See the complete list below.
Blades of Chaos - A line of knives spun from the Tale of the Swords of the Ancients. See the complete list below.
Annual Limited Editions - A special serialized limited edition annual knife was produced up to 2005 with an accompanying autographed art print.
|
|
|
|
|
Special Limited Editions - Serialized limited edition versions of Kit's sword and knives are released preiodically. Limited edition autographed versions and limited edition gold and platinum versions have also been created. See the complete list of weapons below.
Statues - Limited edition cold cast statues with cast pewter blades of some popular Swords of the Ancients characters.
Miniatures - Limited edition cold cast statues with cast pewter blades of some popular Swords of the Ancients characters.
BlackJet Throwers - Kit's throwing knife and throwing axe line.
A COLLECTOR'S LIST OF ALL PRODUCTS RELEASED IN THE KIT RAE LINE
Items shown in YELLOW are currently available.
Swords of the Ancients
The first production run of each sword (usually 1000-1500 pieces) included an autographed art print. All new swords after 2006 are also marked with a serial number on the blade.
UC1120 Kilgorin - Sword of Darkness with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (1999) Sold out.
UC1120 Kilgorin - Sword of Darkness with art print. (2000) Sold out and discontinued.
UC1120B/KR1120B - Black grip Sword of Darkness with art print. (2000)
UC1120BBA Kilgorin Black 10th Anniversary limited Edition - First Production Run of 1000 with autographed poster - All black version with selective gold plating. Serial numbered. (2006) Sold out.
UC1120BB Kilgorin Black limited Edition - All black version/selective gold plating. Serial numbered. (2007)
UC1120-WG Kilgorin - Wood grain grip Sword of Darkness with art print. (2004) Sold out and discontinued.
UC1121 Elexorien - Sword of Vaelen with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (1999) Sold out and discontinued.
UC1121-BR Elexorien - Brown grip Sword of Vaelen with art print. (2000) Sold out and discontinued.
UC1121-WG Elexorien - Wood grain grip Sword of Vaelen with art print. (2004) Sold out and discontinued.
UC1239/KR1239 Kilgorin II - Variant blade version of the Sword of Darkness with art print. (2000)
KR1239BBA Kilgorin II 10th Anniversary Autographed Edition - with autographed art print/ first production run of 1500. Serial numbered. (2007)
KR1239BB Kilgorin II Black Edition - standard edition of the Kilgorin 10th Anniversary sword with art print. Serial numbered. (2008)
UC1240 Elexorien - Variant blade version of the Sword of Vaelen with art print. (2000) Sold out and discontinued.
KR4 Luciendar - Sword of Light with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (2001) Sold out and discontinued.
KR4B Luciendar Black Version - Sword of Light with art print/ black bladed edition. (2007)
KR4GD Luciendar - Special selective gold plated edition (2004) Sold out and discontinued.
KR5 Morthoseth - Sword of Shadows with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (2001) Sold out and discontinued.
KR5B Morthoseth Black Version - Sword of Shadows with art print/ black bladed version. (2007) Sold out and discontinued.
KR6 Anathros - Sword of the Earth with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (2002) Sold out and discontinued.
KR7 Valermos - Sword of Fire with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (2002) Sold out and discontinued.
KR12 Cinthorc - Sword of Justice with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (2003) Sold out and discontinued.
KR13 Molotoch - Slayer Sword with art print/ first 1000 autographed. (2003) Sold out and discontinued.
KR20 Anathar - Sword of Power with art print/ first 1000 autographed (2005)
KR21 Avaquar - Sword of the Deep with art print/ first 1000 autographed (2005)
KR0025A Mithrodin Sword with autographed art print/ first production run of 1000. Serial numbered. Some of the first production run are missing the KR logo from the front of the blade. (2006)
KR0025 Mithrodin Sword Sword with art print. Serial numbered. (2006)
KR0030A Exotath with autographed art print/ first production run of 1500. Serial numbered. (2008)
KR0030 Exotath with art print. Serial numbered. (2008)
Blades of Chaos
UC1142 Isis Dagger (2000) Sold out and discontinued.
KR10 Umethar - Talisman of the Anath with art print. (2002) Sold out and discontinued.
KR14 Nasek - The serpent Dagger (2003) Sold out and discontinued.
KR15 Archeros with art print (2003)
Fantasy Knives
UC970, 970-S Talisman. Two versions, antique silver and antique red. (1997) Sold out and discontinued.
UC1102 Tibetan Dagger (1998) Sold out and discontinued.
KR1 Medusa (2001) Sold out and discontinued.
KR2 Shadow Slayer (2001) Sold out and discontinued.
KR3, 3-S Fang of Baelin. Two versions, black ivory and weathered metal. (2001) Sold out and discontinued.
KR3-SE Fang Special Edition with etched blade (2005) Sold out and discontinued.
KR8-S Valdris (2002) Sold out and discontinued.
KR8-SE Valdris Special Edition with etched blade (2005)
KR9 Black Legion Blade (2002) Sold out and discontinued.
KR11 Tibetan Spirit Knife. Variant of the original Tibetan Dagger. (2002) Sold out and discontinued.
KR16 Talisman with Kris Blade. Variant of the original Talisman. (2003) Sold out and discontinued.
KR19 Adrasil (2004) Sold out and discontinued.
KR26 Avaquar Dagger with b/w art print. Serial numbered. (2007)
KR27 Navros Dagger with color art print (2005)
Fantasy Axes
KR22 Black Legion Battle Axe with b/w art print. (2005)
KR22B Black Legion Battle Axe with black blade. B/w art print. (2007)
Special Collaborations
GH2025 Eye of Drakonus - With custom knifemaker Gil Hibben. (2003)
GH2025-A Eye of Draconus autographed edition first production run of 5000 pieces with display stand. Autographed stand.
GH2026 Eye of Draconus Gold Limited Edition of 2000. Sold out.
Annual Limited Editions
KR1-A Medusa - 1st annual knife with art print. (2001). Autographed, serialized limited edition of 1000 pieces. Sold out.
KR10-A Umethar - 2nd annual knife with art print. (2002). Autographed, serialized limited edition of 1500 pieces. Damascus etched blade. Sold out.
KR15-A Archeros - 3rd annual knife with art print and cold cast statue. (2003). Autographed, serialized limited edition of 1500 pieces. Damascus etched blade. Sold out.
KR27-A Navros Dagger - 4th annual knife with color art print and cold cast statue. (2005) Autographed, serialized limited edition of 1500 pieces.
Special Limited Editions
UC1142-G Isis Gold Limited Edition of 2000 pieces (2001) Sold out.
KR3-G Fang of Baelin Gold Limited Edition of 2000 pieces. Sold out.
KR3-GB Fang of Baelin Antique Gold Limited Edition of 2000 pieces. Sold out.
KR6-GD Anathros Gold Limited Edition of 1000 pieces (2004). Sold out.
KR7-GD Valermos Gold Limited Edition of 1000 pieces (2004). Sold out.
KR8-GB Valdris Gold Limited Edition of 500 pieces (2002). Sold out.
KR9-GB Black Legion Gold Limited Edition of 500 pieces (2002). Sold out.
KR9-PM Black Legion Platinum Limited Edition of 1500 pieces (2003). Sold out.
KR10-GB Umethar Gold Limited Edition of 500 pieces (2002). Sold out.
KR10-PM Umethar Platinum Limited Edition of 1500 pieces (2003). Sold out.
KR11-GB Tibetan Spirit Knife Gold Limited Edition of 500 pieces (2002). Sold out.
KR12-GD Cinthorc Gold Limited Edition of 1000 pieces (2004). Sold out.
Statues
KR23 Vardor Wields Valermos Limited Edition of 2500 pieces (2005) Sold out. KR23 Vardor Wields Valermos Limited Edition of 2500 pieces (2005) Sold out.
Miniatures
UC1142-MIN 1/4 Scale Miniature Isis Dagger (2003) Sold out.
UC1239-MIN 1/4 Scale Miniature Kilgorin (2002) Sold out.
UC1239-MIN 1/4 Scale Miniature Kilgorin/Two Wolds video game version. Only available with european game release. (2007) Sold out.
UC1240-MIN 1/4 Scale Miniature Elexorien (2003) Sold out.
BlackJet Throwing Knives and Axes
KR0032B BlackJet 10 1/2 inch Throwing Knife Triple Set (2008).
KR0033B BlackJet 8 1/2 inch Throwing Knife Triple Set (2008).
KR0034 BlackJet Throwing Dagger (2008).
KR0035 BlackJet Throwing Dagger Triple Set (2008).
KR0036 BlackJet Throwing Axe (2008).
Lapel Pins
UC1142-PIN Pin of the Isis Dagger KR2-PIN Pin of the Shadow Slayer KR3-PIN Pin of the Fang
BLADE RUNE TRANSLATIONS
Below are some of the translations of the sword blade runes. We do not have literal translations for all, though some are translated in the SOTA story. Kit says most of them simply state the power the sword holds and a few have the names of the blacksmiths who forged the swords. There are four languages used on his swords and knives from the Swords of the Ancients world:
Aerlundtal - Lower Anath speech used by the Ancient Ones when speaking to mortals. Used on Luciendar. This is the language of Nasnandos in Dagorlund, created in the Second Age.
Anglecal - This is the modern language of Men and Elves in the Great Realm, created in the Fifth Age. Resembles old Anglo Saxon runes. Used on the Mithrodin Sword, Elexorien and Anathros.
Annundtal - Language of old Annundos, from the Second Age. Used on several of the swords as a secondary language. Used on the Avaquar sword and dagger, the Mithrodin sword, and Valermos (text on sides of center text), and an old form is seen on Luciendar.
Thant - Ancient language of the Anath. Used on the Exotath, Valermos (middle text) and Anathar. From the First Age.
TRANSLATIONS
Anathros - Sword of the Earth - Written in the Anglecal runes of the Fifth Age. The Anathros text loosely translates as this:
Top runes: “Earth-Master of Ammon”.
Bottom runes: “Blessed by the Anath”.
Luciendar - Sword of Light - All runes are Aerlundtal, the language of the Ancient Ones used when speaking to mortals, except the small script on the guard which is an old form of Annundtal, the language of old Annundos.
Blade runes: “Sword of revealing illumination”, or Sword of Light.
Center rune on hilt: “Mahgnim”. Mahgnim was an Elven weapon smith in the service of the Ancient Ones and this is his maker mark.
Large left guard runes (blade point up): “By the Anath I am become veiled”.
Large right guard runes (blade point up): “By the Anath all that is concealed is revealed to me”.
Small left guard script (blade point up): “Revealer of the spirit”. “Spirit” in this case means moral fiber of the soul.
Small right guard script (blade point up): “Revealer of the enchanted and the architect”.
Mithrodin Sword - This sword has both Anglecal and Annundtal runes.
Runes toward blade tip: “Honor ruled by steel” in Anglecal runes of the Fifth Age.
Runes toward hilt: “By blood I am the protector of the sacred steel” in Annundtal runes, the language of old Annundos.
Center rune between runes on left and right: This is the maker mark of Toukol, the elven weapon smith who forged the sword.
Valermos - Sword of Fire - Center runes are in Thant, the language of the ancient Anath. The Thant runes loosely translate as this:
Center text, top down: “Eternal Fire” (the large question mark looking rune). This may actually be the runic name of one of the Ancients, Nostdiev.
Left and right of Eternal Fire rune: “Creator and Master of the Flames of Ammon”.
Center text below the Eternal Fire rune, top down: “Ruler of Fire by Blood, Commander of the Death Spirit, Holder of the Dead by the Anath”.
The script down outer left and right near the top of the blade is in Annundtal runes and refers to Salicrem, the smith who forged the blade, and where it was forged.
Exotath - Sword of Agnemmel - All runes are in Thant, the language of the ancient Anath.
The engraved scrollwork type design is actually the signature mark of Firaneth, and elven smith of Ammoria in the Third Age of Ammon. Rather than a typical signature mark, Firaneth always incorporated his mark into the decoration he applied to his blades.
The Thant runes loosely translate as this:
Two small runes at top left and two at top right (blade pointed down): These essentially say the “two are one”, referring to the twin Exotath sword's joint power.
Left text, top to bottom with blade pointed down: “By the Anath that which is to come is revealed to me”
Right text, top to bottom with blade pointed down: “By Evruc, master of the Ancients, I am empowered”.
The name Exotath is in Thant. The word “exo” translates as oracle and “tath” as steel. Oracle of steel.
SWORD AND KNIFE CARE
Stainless Steel Blade Care - Most of Kit's blades are made from Japanese milled 420J2 stainless steel. Stainless steel requires very little maintenance, but stainless steel means that it is stain and rust resistant, but it is not stain or rust proof if not treated cared for correctly. It is best to keep away from humid or environments or places that are not humidity and temperature controlled, like storing in a garage. If the blade becomes wet, thoroughly dry it and coat with oil before storage. For regular maintenance Kit recommends coating stainless steel blades in a light coat of choji (used in Samurai sword care kits) or mineral oil (found at grocery or pharmacies), every few months. Light machine oil is another option, but do not use machine oils or oils with detergent or chemicals in them. Oil collects dust, so if you do not want to clean and re-apply with oil every few months then another great option is a wax sealant. A good car wax will suffice to coat and protect the blade, or a professional sealant like Renaissance Wax.
Carbon Steel Blade Care - Carbon steel by its nature is very prone to discoloration and corrosion and requires special care. As a rule, you should avoid touching these blades. For regular maintenance Kit recommends coating carbon steel blades in a light coat of choji (used in Samurai sword care kits) or mineral oil (found at grocery or pharmacies), every few months. Always wipe off the old oil before re-applying a new coating. Never store these blades in damp or humid environments, and if the blade becomes wet, thoroughly dry it and coat with oil.
Handle and Hilt Care - Most of the metal hilt parts on Kit's swords are already coated with a sealant to protect them. Periodically wiping them down with a damp cloth is all the maintenance they require. Do not clean with detergents or household cleaners. They could damage the protective coating and allow the finish to tarnish. Leather wrapped grips should be cleaned with a good leather cleaner, but only if they have become soiled or stained by accumulation of natural body oils by handling. Otherwise, a periodic wipe down with a damp cloth is all that is required for routine cleaning.
Display Care - Kit's wood wall and table top displays are coated with a clear sealant. A periodic wipe down with a damp cloth is all that is required for routine cleaning and removing dust. Do not clean with detergents or household cleaners. They could damage the protective coating. Spray on household wood polish is acceptable and should not harm the finish.
Sheath and Scabbard Care - Nylon sheaths, for Kit's throwers and axes, can be cleaned with a damp cloth, or if they become extremely soiled can be washed with water and soap. Let air dry. Leather scabbards should be kept away from damp or wet environments. These should also only be cleaned with a damp cloth. If the leather cracks over time if can be repaired or maintained with mink oil or leather cream (not polish). Follow the instructions for the specific product you intend to use. Some scabbard parts are genuine leather and some recycled leather, depending on the construction, so always test a small area first before treating.
BLADE TANG CONSTRUCTION
We get asked all the time about the tang construction of Kit's swords and knives. Here is the rundown.
Stainless Steel Blade Tangs - First and foremost, keep in mind that Kit's fantasy swords and knives with stainless steel blades are collectibles, not intended to be fully functional combat ready swords. Most of these are sold with unsharpened edges for a reason. While stainless steel will hold up to some abuse, and the blades can be sharpened, these are not recommended for martial arts practice or live combat. The tangs on these swords extend 1/2 to 3/4 into the handles where they taper into a threaded tail into the pommel. The blades are secured to the handle by the pommel threaded to this tail, or a nut threaded to the tail, then the pommel attached to the nut.
Carbon Steel and Damascus Steel Blade Tangs - Kit's carbon steel bladed samurai swords have full tangs secured the traditional method by a wood dowel running through the grip and tang. Kit's other carbon steel or damascus sword blades feature a tang that tapers all the way to the pommel where it forms a threaded tail. The pommel is threaded and secured onto this tail.
|
|