Author Topic: Swords (Read 2610 times)

Major Biggles · « **on:** May 20, 2007, 01:48:04 PM »

anyone here into collecting swords at all?

i used to fence and practise archery quite a lot, so i have a longbow and various things, including a sword, but i've been looking into expanding my collection a little. i was wondering if anyone else here has an interest in any of this kind of stuff?

i currently own a paul chen practical plus katana, but have been looking into albion armouries' european stuff. if anyone has any kind of experience with collecting swords and could offer some advice it would be way cool

. i'd also love to here what other people own if so...

68Hawk · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2007, 02:31:21 PM »

I don't have the money to get into high end collection right now, but I have a diverse collection of stuff on the more practical end of the price spectrum.

Especially check out the Ebay seller handmadesword. They sell Masahiro Katana, base models starting at $1 on auction. I got mine (carbon steel mind you) for $55, 20 of that shipping. They have nicer models too, coming with display cases and the like. It's nothing fancy, but its a damn nice blade for the price, and its real, not stainless. I really like their tsubas too.

You may already know this, but you want to avoid stainless steel, unless you just plan on getting something to look nice on you wall, and if you're collecting stainless doesn't make any sense anyway. If it says 440 on it wave off. You want something in a 10xx high carbon steel. Masahiro, for instance, uses several grades/alloys depending on how nice the sword is. They also use a harder composite along their edges to preserve sharpness, with a softer grade for the rest of the blade to preserve sword flex.

Please let me know if you find any other good places. I really need a Gladius if you come across one. I've got my eye on this awesome carbon steel halberd too.

Also, you can get really cheap longbows from woodbows.com. Again nothing fancy, but very functional. I've seen their unfinished bows (hell I bought one) on ebay really cheap when they have an overstock. It's got a crack now, so I need a new one, but I got many ends out of it.

Good luck!

DiabloTX · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2007, 02:45:44 PM »

Way back when when I was into it I used to shop here a lot:

Museum Replicas

I know of another interesting website but it's VERY high end swords. I will see if I can find it and post it later.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2007, 03:32:00 PM »

I'm looking to really get into fencing. I took a class this past semester and learned the Foil. I want to learn the Saber though, I think it should be fun.

Serenity · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:05:54 PM »

I used to fence. Great fun. I TRY to collect swords, but my parents arent too fond of it. My girlfriend buys me old European Rapiers though

One thing, both of us are having trouble finding real quality stuff. By that I mean something SHARP, something thats actually gonna cut stuff. Im not looking for a fancy display case thing, I want a sword I can pick up and actually USE. I noticed you mentioned the type of steel to look for, are there any other things? Heres a blade im looking at buying myself as a congratulations (I earned my wings!

), is it worth the money?

Black Wrap Rapier

68Hawk · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:14:51 PM »

Serenity,

Masahiro would give you a really awesome and functional sword (they do hold an edge well), but they are of a Japanese style so they might not appeal to you.

The rapier looks nice, and would be a nifty wall hanger but you DO NOT WANT TO START SWINGING IT AT ANYTHING. Sorry to shout, but its a safety issue. Stainless steel is cheaper to make, and doesn't rust so it takes a lot less care, but it is also brittle and will not hold up to repeated, or even one really heavy blow. Chop something with this, or thrust as it was intended and you risk shattering it, having pieces fly off and even getting shards flying a shrapnel pattern. Don't plan on it being functional.

Most often if you see something under $200 its stainless. I'm still almost not believing the price/quality of Masahiro except that I own one myself and can say it's really awesome. The weight even gives it away, and it has gone through some good sized branches.

Here's why you want to avoid 440:
Stainless + Idiot = This funny video

Note: 3 piece set with stand, $44.95
440 stainless
Six inch chunk breaks off the end and catches him in the ribs.

these are not 'practice katanas'

I assume I don't have to tell you not to play with weapons if you don't know what you're doing, but someone should have told that kid. Smacking the flat side of a sword isn't advisable either.

I don't know what the rapier market is like, nor where to point you for a good one, but keep this stuff in mind when you plan a usage for any new blade. Sometimes its fun to just get something cheap to swing at the air in your living room, something you don't have to worry about hand oils or other factors that good steel brings. The rapier you linked would be good for that, just don't strike anything with it. It might be able to take $129.00 at retail, but the price they offer shows how much it costs to produce.

$60 isn't much to spend on a durable toy!

Serenity · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:17:41 PM »

Yeah, im not terribly fond of the asian swords. Rapiers are my love.

Major Biggles · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:26:57 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Serenity
I used to fence. Great fun. I TRY to collect swords, but my parents arent too fond of it. My girlfriend buys me old European Rapiers though

One thing, both of us are having trouble finding real quality stuff. By that I mean something SHARP, something thats actually gonna cut stuff. Im not looking for a fancy display case thing, I want a sword I can pick up and actually USE. I noticed you mentioned the type of steel to look for, are there any other things? Heres a blade im looking at buying myself as a congratulations (I earned my wings! ), is it worth the money?

Black Wrap Rapier

hmmmm, it's stainless.

when going for swords, it needs to be decent carbon steel if you want some functionality. i personally hate the silly pricey stainless steel fantasy things, i go for fully functional quality all the time, hence why all i have at the moment is a practical plus kat (full tang, properly forged carbon steel). good swords = good money, but are well worth it.

katana wise, for quality and price you want to take a look at the paul chen range. european wise, from what i've read, you want to go with these guys:

Albion Armouries

great quality custom made swords, fully functional and historic. rapiers may be harder, but you won't find a sharp rapier, they're designed purely for thrusting, they won't have much of an edge.

Serenity · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:28:11 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Major Biggles
hmmmm, it's stainless.

when going for swords, it needs to be decent carbon steel if you want some functionality. i personally hate the silly pricey stainless steel fantasy things, i go for fully functional quality all the time, hence why all i have at the moment is a practical plus kat (full tang, properly forged carbon steel). good swords = good money, but are well worth it.

katana wise, for quality and price you want to take a look at the paul chen range. european wise, from what i've read, you want to go with these guys:

Albion Armouries

great quality custom made swords, fully functional and historic. rapiers may be harder, but you won't find a sharp rapier, they're designed purely for thrusting, they won't have much of an edge.

By sharp I mean I dont want something rounded, with blunt edges for little kids. Thanks!

Major Biggles · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:32:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Serenity
By sharp I mean I dont want something rounded, with blunt edges for little kids. Thanks!

hmm i looked about too, i also love rapiers, and i don't think you'll find a decent one without it being a custom job, or atleast one with a hefty pricetag

that one you found is cool though. give those guys a call and ask about the tang, that's what's most important. post here what they say

Serenity · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:34:13 PM »

Okay. Im a complete dolt when it comes to swords, I just like them. So, what should I ask specifically about the tang?

Speed55 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:42:14 PM »

http://www.knightsedge.com/

i've ordered from them before.

They have dull swords, and full blown combat replicas .

Have fun

Serenity · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2007, 05:56:52 PM »

SWEEEEEEET!!!!!

68Hawk · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2007, 06:05:40 PM »

The tang is also really important. Its the part of the blade that extends into the handle.

Good ones will be very sturdy and extend fully through the handle, full tang.

Others only go halfway, or even are very small and flimsy, made only for cheapness. These are usually called rat tangs and they suck. Can't think of anything more embarrassing than for a sword to break at the hilt.

Also check fit between the tang and the handle. Check to see how its secured, rivets, screws, tied on, who knows. Is it tightly fit or is it loose? This is also often a point where one can find errors in workmanship that often go overlooked when browsing the cheapies. The blade might be really shiny, but often you'll see behind the curtain at this point.

Those other links they brought are awesome. Good find you guys! Please help me if I missed stuff above.

68Hawk · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2007, 06:10:36 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Serenity
SWEEEEEEET!!!!!

Looks like good quality workmanship and materials.

Still, most large swords like this, in Europe and all the way to Japan (Odachi) had mostly just a ceremonial function and saw limited use on the battlefield. At least as far as I've heard. The Scottish Claymore is an exception, but don't take any points on it's usage from Mel Gibson.

I WILL have a Claymore for my collection some day....gotta get that Gladius first though.