Yep, unfortunately "420 J2 stainless steel" and most stainless steel is fine for shorter knives and daggers, but is too brittle for anything like a sword or large axe. What's needed for "combat weapons" is "high carbon steel" tempered properly. One of the few places on the net to get these true weapons is:
http://www.museumreplicas.com/

note: I'm not affiliated with this site in any way. I've just bought my share stainless steel swords and been disappointed with them.