Swords in the playground

[GeekGirl]

Greetings all. I need some assistance :P I want to get my boyfriend a sword as part of his Christmas present. He collect them and have quite a few. I have an idea what I'm looking for, I know enough about them to find what I want, but were do I look? It's easy enough to see the quality of a sword up close, but how do I know what I'm getting online? I'm looking for a European style long sword. I want something a little fancier more for show, as he hopefully won't have to take this into battle 0.o but at the same time, I don't want it to fall apart when he picks it up.

tl;dr Were can I find a decent quality sword, something that looks nice, but doesn't feel cheap?

[Spiryt]

This really depends on what historical accuracy, quality, and in result price he, and in result you are interested in.

In other words, what exactly does he collects.

As far as production line, non custom swords goes, there is quite a lot of producer to choose from. I assume that's what you're interested in, with online buying.

They significantly vary in regards of authenticity of stuff.

Of course, in general the more accurate sword is, the more expensive it get's so the result depends on how much do you want to spend.

In any way, this little nifty site:

http://www.kultofathena.com/

Has choice of all kinds of swords, of different makers, from 50 $ stainless steel ugly crap to pretty high end items.

[SDF]

If you want historically accurate, fully functional or sparring swords you wont find much better quality anywhere than Lutel (http://www.lutel.eu/). Albion (http://www.albion-swords.com/) is also a good maker. If you ever want to look for a katana, Bugei (http://www.bugei.com/) makes the best quality you will find outside of a 10-40k handmade Japanese sword. If you want something totally ridiculous Zombie Tools (http://zombietools.net/tools/) are awesome.

These are the best quality swords I've seen online, and reliable (Lutel has non-sharpened for sparing, and sharpened for live use, swords). None of them are as cheap (price and quality) as you will find elsewhere online.

[DeadManSleeping]

You should give us a price range here.

[Spiryt]

If you want historically accurate, fully functional or sparring swords you wont find much better quality anywhere than Lutel.

These are the best quality swords I've seen online, and reliable (Lutel has non-sharpened for sparing, and sharpened for live use, swords). None of them are as cheap (price and quality) as you will find elsewhere online.

Lutel?

Seriously, they have some nice stuff, but in Czech Republik alone there's metric tonne of better makers.

And as far as production line swords go, Albion is pretty much without competition. Terrific stuff, just by looking at them. They're most expensive too.

So yeah, we need price range and general purpose of the sword.

[GeekGirl]

As far as price, I am trying not to go to far over $250, I have a few other ideas to get him. I was looking for something just for show, possibly attached to a Ren Fair costume (big maybe there). I would like something more historically accurate.

[Spiryt]

As far as price, I am trying not to go to far over $250, I have a few other ideas to get him. I was looking for something just for show, possibly attached to a Ren Fair costume (big maybe there). I would like something more historically accurate.

Sorting trough KoA one can find some Atrim blades in that range:

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AT304S&name=Valiant+Armoury+Atrim+Practical+Long+Sword

They're obviously not most fancy nor very authentic in look and character, but for the price they look fine.

They probably can be find at quite few retailers at prices like that.

It seems that your BF already has "quite a few", so some details on what he has and what he would like next would be helpful.

[Trixie]

If you want historically accurate, fully functional or sparring swords you wont find much better quality anywhere than Lutel (http://www.lutel.eu/). Albion (http://www.albion-swords.com/) is also a good maker. If you ever want to look for a katana, Bugei (http://www.bugei.com/) makes the best quality you will find outside of a 10-40k handmade Japanese sword. If you want something totally ridiculous Zombie Tools (http://zombietools.net/tools/) are awesome.

These are the best quality swords I've seen online, and reliable (Lutel has non-sharpened for sparing, and sharpened for live use, swords). None of them are as cheap (price and quality) as you will find elsewhere online.

Um, material is peanuts. The most important quality in sword is balance, screw this part and it will become very inconvenient to handle and fight with. So, avoid swords that look they were made just to look 'cool', these are useless regardless of material unless you want them to look pretty on a wall (but in this case, material is pretty meaningless, too).

[Anuan]

When you say longsword, do you mean a longsword or just a sword that is long?

For that pricerange, it's hard to get a decent longsword. However, if he doesn't do cutting exercises...Well, it becomes easier. Albion and other such middle-high range swords are a bit out of your mark. If you're willing to spend a little more, I can recommend Darksword Armouries. They look nice, are very durable if he decides he wants to do some pell work or something, and have drastically improved recently in the historical accuracy of weight and balance. Still a wee bit overbuilt, but getting better. My claymore handles wonderfully for a sword of its size.

Windlass, while not perfect, is okay for the pricerange. Much of their longer stuff suffers from being a bit overly-flexible or whippy in a cut, but again if it's not for cutting or much more than a renfair piece, I've heard good things about their Erbach, Verneuil and German Bastard swords. Apparently a bit better than some of their other longer pieces.

For the price, probably the best I can think of are the Hanwei/Tinker line, the bastard or longswords. They come with or without fuller, and are highly respected for their durability, pleasant feel, and pricepoint considering how well they're made. Hanwei's western stuff isn't usually the best even for the pricepoint, but these are made to Tinker Pearce's specifications, and again are very well thought of. Not the flashiest piece, though, if you're looking for renfest wear.

Out of those choices (and there's more, depending on you want,) I'd probably vote for the Windlass Verneuil purely because while it's okay or decent, it's the slightly more out-there and different visually, with the fishtail pommel and such. Again, this is assuming he doesn't want to be doing cutting or anything.

Whilst all of these can be ordered sharp, if he wants a sharp piece I wouldn't suggest getting the manufacturer's sharp-edge on any of these pieces. They're all known for not-great sharpening jobs. Kult of Athena, however, where you can get most or all of those, apparently does an okay job with their own sharpening service.

Also, I'd vouch for material being very important in a sword. If it's made of steel that's too soft, or poorly tempered, it's -not- going to go well for you if you try and use it for cutting. It'll take a set, or snap, if things are too bad. Very hard to have a good balance when it's suddenly a foot and a half shorter.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

What Anuan was meaning at the start: longsword is a term meaning, generally, a two-handed sword. Now what it means in gaming, or popular culture. That's generally a broadsword or an arming sword.

For a good description of blade types, try searching by the Oakeshott Typology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakeshott_typology)?

[DeadManSleeping]

Um, material is peanuts. The most important quality in sword is balance, screw this part and it will become very inconvenient to handle and fight with. So, avoid swords that look they were made just to look 'cool', these are useless regardless of material unless you want them to look pretty on a wall (but in this case, material is pretty meaningless, too).

Material has a significant effect on weight, and therefore on balance.

Also, I guarantee you that good material is important anyway. Ever seen a sword break? I have. If you actually use it, after a few years, you'll be happy you invested in decent steel.

[Spiryt]

Um, material is peanuts. The most important quality in sword is balance, screw this part and it will become very inconvenient to handle and fight with. So, avoid swords that look they were made just to look 'cool', these are useless regardless of material unless you want them to look pretty on a wall (but in this case, material is pretty meaningless, too).

That is in one way correct, and yet rather off...

If one had to barter what 'most important' then material and straight out construction would came on top.

You can use badly balanced sword.
If it's made of chromed stainless steel, it will snap at first occasion. If it's a railway with terrible beveled edge, it won't cut anything, cheap tang construction will cause it to come apart in worse moment...

Even if somebody accidental or not had chosen very good balance it wouldn't do feces here.


Anyway, as I recalled - you can find some nice Tinker swords for this price, like Anuan mentioned.

Here probably nicest XIIIa (http://therionarms.com/reenact/therionarms_c1215.html) representation one can get for 270 $.

Anyway, your location etc. would probably help too, since you can get pretty nice stuff for such price from all around the world, but sheer shipping cost would kill in many cases... Unless if some retailer is found.

[DeadManSleeping]

Ah, yes, it is important to note that steel makes a huge difference in how well a sword (or any other blade, really) holds an edge. But that only matters if you're cutting people with it, and that's not something you should be doing.

[Aidan305]

A sufficiently geeky sword might be that wielded by the Dread Pirate Roberts. (http://www.factoryent.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=408017) I've considered getting that one for myself several times.

[GeekGirl]

Thank you all ^_^

I guess I should answer some of these questions.
I am from the East Coast USA (Near Philly). Also, I did mean longsword (grumbles about auto correct). The sword is not going to be for practical use (at least I hope not). I just don't want something that feels cheap.

[Spiryt]

Those are quite a bit more expensive than 250 $ but worth looking at.

Darksword armory products that actually looks like something they're based on (not very usual for them):smalltongue:

And generally look nice for the price:

1 (http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DSA1339BR&name=Darksword+14th+Century+Two+Handed+Sword+%2D+B rown)

2 (http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DSA1326&name=Darksword+Black+Prince+Sword)

[Ravens_cry]

If I was going to get a rapier, I really like the swept hilt style aesthetically.
Another 'sword', though its really a descendent of the axe, is the Khopesh. They are vicious looking, but beautiful.
The thing to remember though is that this, if you are going to get a functional blade, even unsharpened, is a weapon.
It is made to kill people.
End them, forever.
It is not some toy, it is not a mantle piece, it is not a sculpture.
It is an instrument of murder and death.
Remember what you hold in your hand.

[Spiryt]

The thing to remember though is that this, if you are going to get a functional blade, even unsharpened, is a weapon.
It is made to kill people.
End them, forever.
It is not some toy, it is not a mantle piece, it is not a sculpture.
It is an instrument of murder and death.
Remember what you hold in your hand.

'Ere can be only un.

[userpay]

Just throwing my two cents in. I also work at a ren faire with the Queen's Guard so I'm around swords a fair deal and I have to say, do not get a purely ornamental piece. Granted they are primarily a costume piece and should not see heavy use unless you're in a stage show or an equivalent but having the option of being able to use it is invaluable. Note that it does not necessarily need to be sharpened either. For example one of the things we 'play' with is an oversized janga set where you have to use some implement instead of your hands (we've seen anything from mugs, to boots, to a freaking handkerchief) to remove blocks which more often than not ends up being a sword or dagger. Some of the tricks they pull of requires a sturdy sword especially considering most of them are using rapiers which aren't necessarily known for being sturdy. At the same time you may not want a heavy sword as you have to remember that he's gonna be carrying that thing around all day.

You might consider getting him another type of weapon for variety. One of our most popular members uses (war)hammers exclusively and a lot of the people (me included) who don't have weapons borrow hammers off him. Granted he made the hammers himself but they still look good.

That said I'm glad this topic popped up as now I have some additional resources to look about when I do get the money for my own weapon.

[Anuan]

If it's a heavy sword (which it shouldn't be. An overly heavy sword is a bad sword) consider getting a good suspension system as well. How it's carried on the belt is a big factor in how comfortable or awkward it can be.

[Spiryt]

Yeah, if sword's getting visibly heavy, like approaching 3kg or something, there's probably not even poor replica anymore.

Unless the sword is actual biedenhander, or something, but then it's so large, that it's sheer dimensions are already more of a problem in transporting than weight....

Other weapon option has obvious appeal - for 250$ one can often buy really, really nice looking and actually accurate axe, mace, spear or whatever.

It can be hard to find it though.

[Castaras]

If you're in Britain, or able to get swords from britain, then Armourclass (http://www.armourclass.com/) or a Binns (http://www.paul-binns-swords.co.uk/) is a good bet. Idealy you'd want to be handling them in real life to see what their weight is like and how sturdy they feel, but these two makers have very nice swords.

I personally have an Armourclass, because they're lighter than Binns, so better for my lower strength when I'm doing show fighting. :smallbiggrin:

[Anuan]

Don't you have to get some sort of license for it in Britain, though? I lived in Queensland until recently, where it's completely legal to own all manner of sharp pointy shiny things, but now that I've moved I need licenses. Luckily, I'm a member of the Living History Foundation and that counts enough for swords until I join the Victorian Historical and Edged Weapon Guild. :smallcool:

[Spiryt]

Well in any case, OP is from Philadelphia it seems, so I don't think there's a way to get longsword from Binns for Christmass...

And certainly not for 250 $. :smalltongue: :smallwink:

[Renegade Paladin]

As far as price, I am trying not to go to far over $250, I have a few other ideas to get him. I was looking for something just for show, possibly attached to a Ren Fair costume (big maybe there). I would like something more historically accurate.
In addition to what's already been said, Darkwood Armory (http://darkwoodarmory.com/) does quality work, both for reenactment use and live steel. They specialize in rapiers, but also do military swords. For that price range you can't get their pricier stuff, but all their work is good, and modeled after extant examples of period weapons.