New possibly good attempt at HL sword prop replicas?

[it's just me...]

I just found out that United Cutlery is doing new hand forged
prop replicas of the Conner/Ramirez katana and the Duncan/Hideo Koto
katana. The HL1 prop they are doing looks to be a pretty good
attempt at an actual decent looking replica, unlike Marto's horrible
version. I think it combines elements of the HL1 and the HL2 versions
but leans mostly towards the HL1 original. It includes the proper
tsuba\guard from the first film as well as a tachi style scabbard
to match the one that Ramirez originally carried it in. I pre-ordered
it so I'll report on it when it arrives.

The Duncan sword looks in the pictures to be more or less the same
visually as the Marto sword other than possibly a better handle
material and finish. It even includes the brass ring on the Dragon's
neck. I can't quite figure why they wouldn't have reproduced the
original first season prop that was used before they went to the
Marto swords. They are adding a neat scabbard for it that is meant
to be what Duncan used to hide it in his coat.

All in all an affordable replica that seems to retail for $300. but
I found it at the link below for $199. A nice alternative to the
$1000 Sal D'Aquila versions of these props and the insanely expensive
$3500 versions that Albion were offering but I've never actually seen
evidence of real production versions of those.

http://www.cbswords.com/default.php/cPath/48

Ivory