This is probably the decorative sword industry's most popular sword. There are currently at least two companies that sell cheaper fake versions of this sword, a $79-range fake and a $135-range fake. Be sure you read this article carefully as there are many websites that sell these while illegally using the Highlander trademark. Some websites outright deceive people indicating that the fake swords were the ones used in the movies and series. So read up and be prepared!

The authentic version of this sword is made out of out of 420 stainless steel (see section Metallurgical Analysis) by swordmaker and manufacturing company, Marto, of Toledo, Spain.

How It Made History

Originally, it had no dragon head, and was sold as "Marto Ivory Katana (#316)." However, the originally headless katana played a momumental part in Hollywood history in the creation of Connor MacLeod's katana. When the producers of Highlander were considering this sword, they embelished the sword with a dragon head whose tail wrapped around the tail - details which would be picked up by the camera even at a distance.

Marto of Spain still sells versions of its "Marto Ivory Katana" in ivorite (imitation ivory) as well as a sterling or pewter version known as the "Sterling Sword".

It is unsure which happened first in the following series of events. Some speculate that Marto added their own dragon head and produced the Sword of the Dragon. Or, after the television series put out a new version for Duncan MacLeod that Marto made one extremely similar.

How the Blade Fares

This sword is well made and is a beauty to hold and behold. Featuring six Samurai pictoral scenes on either side and made out of high quality ivorite (imitation ivory), the handle measures 13 inches. Marketed as a "full tang sword", its "rat-tail" tang (shaped like a chopstick) actually spans the first 10 inches inside (which is better than the 3 to 5 inch tangs on imitator swords).

The dragon head is of pure plastic, which is securely attached to the base of the handle by a bronze neck collar. Original models did not have the bronze neck collar, as earlier episodes of the Highlander TV series will attest - after the producers abandoned their own movie prop for use of Marto's Sword of the Dragon. Customers complained that the dragon head would come off too easily (apparently affixed by glue). The neck collar was added for reinforcement.

Real swords will have the Marto insignia on the habaki as featured here to the left. Many copycat companies have varied logos. This is the best way to tell at a glance and impress friends of your prowess in fake sword detection!

Also, the real Marto sword will have a rooster motif guard, versus a dragon motif guard which all Taiwan fakes use. (Some fans purchase the Taiwanese fake version, which does not have a reinforcing neck collar, indicating that the TV series sword doesn't have one. That's like saying the fake looks more like the original! As of Season 6, you will see the neck collar on Duncan's sword.)

Is it Battle-Worthy?

Unfortunately, no. It's balance is mediocre, but at roughly 3.5 pounds, it is too heavy to wield quickly. It's ivorite handle is not of a compound known for extreme impact tollerance.

However, its 420 stainless steel blade appears to be heat treated to an extent. One sword reseller related to me that he test-cutted it against an $79-89 fake and was able to cut through the fake sword, proving that the fake sword was not heat treated.

The series originally had wholesaler PRO-CUT provide modified katanas with aluminum blades, which increased the speed of swordfight scenes. Some fans have sought for these swords. However, they cost upward of $600 each (so just buy a real one that's well-balanced!). Aluminum is lighter and cannot hold an edge as a weapon. Each episode goes through five or six swords, all of which are discarded afterwards because they are so badly damaged in filming the fight scenes.

How to Tell it from Fakes and Imitators

How can you tell this one from the fakes? First off, the fakes look like some waxy almost-transluscent white. The Samurai pictoral scenes have been shuffled around, and the detail is like melted wax. Some may have a red gem on the handle. The real Marto sword as featured here on the left has a copper band on the dragon's neck, while the fake has a copper band on the scabbard, instead.

Further, on the copper Habaki (i.e. the wedge-shaped fixture on the opposite side of the guard than the handle) is marked with a kind of "M" insignia for "Marto", and on the fakes there is the Chinese symbol for "knife" or "sword".

Overall - 42", Handle - 13", Weight - 3.5 lbs.

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