Coming Soon - Deluxe Swords! Superior construction, with a slightly wider blade and a little heavier than the kirpan. Gold coloured metal hilt and silver coloured blade with leather-like black scabbard. Photos very shortly.
Do you want a sword prop that looks and feels like a real sword? Afra supplies replica Indian Kirpan (Dress) swords perfectly balanced by Afra's husband for dance use.
Our swords are constructed the same manner as a real sword, they are not made from a heavy piece of cast metal that is only shaped to look like a sword. As a consequence our swords are much lighter than the normal 'swords' that are sold for dance use, and look convincingly like a real weapon. Being lighter they do require more balancing skills, however the end result of all that extra practicing is that your audience will truly believe that you are dancing with a real sword.
Each sword comes with a gold trimmed, velveteen covered wooden scabbard, and currently in one of two colours: Dark Blue/Purple and Red. We do get other colours, but it's dependant on what our supplier ships to us.
See below for Afra's beautiful hand-beaded covers for storing and transporting your sword.
Please check with us to find out what's in stock before you place your order, we cannot guarantee colours as our stock is dependent on what assortment our suppliers ship to us. See below for details on how to pay.
Price: £42.50 + P & P - At present we only ship to addresses in the UK.
(We are currently out of sock - see note at top of page)
Please read the notes below regarding the safe care of your sword.
Click on the photos below to get a larger view.
Afra makes hand-crafted velvet sword covers© that are perfect for keeping your sword safe, both at home and when traveling to and from performances. Below are some photos of designs in dark blue with silver trim and a blue iridescent motif and red/gold with two different styles of motif. Black with a choice of silver, gold or iridescent beading is also available. The bottom of each cover is carefully padded to ensure your sword doesn't damage it. You can order a drawstring to match the colour of the velvet or to match the trim of your sword. All covers are made to order by Afra, please allow up to 28 days for delivery. They often take less time, but it depends on how many orders are outstanding.
After feedback from customers I have updated the design to make the bags wider. They are now large enough to carry two swords and a cane. The width is 25cms and length100cm. Price: £18.95 + £1.50 P&P.
Discounts are available for orders of two or more, but you will need to add extra time for delivery for larger orders. If you place an order for both a sword and a cover at the same time, the cover will be £12.50.
Click on a picture for a larger view.
Reverse of cover not shown, but beading is continued down both sides, front and back. The drawstrings are finished in tassels, but only the black one here shows completely finished tassels.
Afra al Kahira is recognised as being one of the UK's leading exponents in the art of dancing with both single and double swords. Afra regularly stuns audiences with her double sword and finger cymbals number, complete with floorwork! At a recent show Hossam Ramzy said he was amazed and impressed with her balancing skills.
If you would like to learn more about dancing with your sword you can study with Afra either through a private lesson or by arranging for her to come and teach a workshop in your area (can be combined with a workshop on props in general to be more inclusive). Numbers for purely sword workshops are strictly limited for the safety of all participants.
For information please email Afra at afra@afraalkahira.com
How to pay for your sword or Sword Cover©.
Send me an email to check what we have in stock. Note: The swords are usually balanced to order so please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Covers are also made to order - please email us regarding your colour/ trim preference.
Once your order is ready I will email you with the total cost including post and packaging.
Either send a cheque for the full amount made payable to Afra al Kahira to: P.O. Box 72, Bideford, Devon, EX39 1FA.
Or once the full amount has been agreed you can send me the money via PayPal by clicking on the link below and using the email address: afra@afraalkahira.com There is a small charge for this service which will be included in the final costs quoted to you before your payment is processed. In the case of cheque payments I will not send the goods until your cheque has been cleared (normally 3-5 working days).
I will confirm receipt of your payment and post your order to you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
For your safety and that of the general public, please store your sword carefully and keep it out of public view when traveling with it. Keep it securely locked and covered up in the boot of your car. Either wrap it completely in a towel, blanket, large thick dustbin liner, or buy a container to put it in that keeps it completely out of view (see above for Afra's sword covers). Even though these swords are not proper weapons they may be viewed as such by anyone who might see them in your car or in your possession. If this is brought to the attention of the Police it could lead to prosecution and a fine, at the very least your sword is likely to be confiscated. At the discretion of a police officer even a child's plastic toy sword could be covered by this legislation - a sad reflection of our times.
When performing with your sword never, ever, give it to a member of the public to hold as part of your act. You can never predict what they might do with it, and it is very unlikely that your insurance policy will provide cover for you in the event of any ensuing accident. If you need to put your sword down during your act, hand it to a trusted assistant who will be responsible for its safe keeping until you finish dancing and are able to lock it safely away.
Your sword will need occasional polishing with a soft cloth, and if you are not planning on using it for a while, we recommend giving it a light coating of mineral oil to help prevent rusting - don't forget to wipe the sword clean before you use it next!
Please be responsible and careful.
DISCLAIMER
Afra al Kahira and Al-Kahira Enterprises take no responsibility for what the
purchaser does with a sword once purchased (see above note on safety).
This does not affect your statutory rights.
SPECIAL NOTE:
The description of my abilities as teacher & performer of sword dancing, along with my safety notice, appears almost verbatim on one or two other UK dancers' web sites. They are copies of the content here and should not be taken at face value. It's a sad reflection of our times that a few people feel the need to rip off someone else's idea rather than market those skills that they personally excel in.
Please be aware of imitations!