When you proudly own the sword you wanted for a long time, it is time to display it. The task of storing swords should be properly done to render a rust-free and sharp sword.
Tips
1. A stand should complement the look of your sword without overshadowing the centerpiece.
2. Look for a sturdy display stand that won’t collapse under the slightest weight.
3. Be sure to check the dimensions of your sword against the sword stand. The last thing you would worry is having a smaller display than the height and size of your sword.
Standing sword stands
A standing sword stand is as beautiful as a piece of furniture. Standing swords are usually made of wood and show a craftsman look to them.
Types of standing sword stands.
The first type stands squarely on the ground and can be over five feet in height. The standing sword display is designed to hold many various swords. The stand is built around two main beams that permit swords to rest horizontally on bracket shelving. Most of these brackets have a rounding to support the sword well enough not to drop them. Samurai style sword stands has an Asian flair to them due to their shapes. It makes easier to accommodate the varying sizes of Samurai swords available.
The second type is a smaller sword stand that just holds one or two swords. It can be set upon a desk, mantelpiece, or anywhere you like. These individual sword stands have more variety available to them. You can get stonework stand, enamel covered stands and just about any type of finish.
Three Tier Sword Display Wall Rack
Horizontal hanging stands
The most popular sword display is the horizontal hanging stands. They take up less amount of space that makes them the top choice among sword owners. It saves space for braced on a wall and can be mounted in any room of the house.
Sword Display Case Cabinet with door, wall mountable
A horizontal hanging stand requires a single or several bracket holders. You can choose the kind of finish and stains that you prefer. The most important consideration of hanging stand is to brace them securely and properly to manage the weight of your fine sword collection.
Vertical hanging stands
Knight’s Templar Sword with Display
Another unique way to display your swords is to put them in vertical hanging stands. Each sword is placed in a stand bolted to your wall. It is highly decorative and are often made of finely wrought metal work.
Samurai sword is displayed along with fascinating Japanese characters engraved on them. Medieval swords can be admired by the look of the crests and symbols on it.
Long Shield Plaque Sword Display
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January 15 2010 | antique swords | No Comments »
Excellent swords are product of years of good craftsmanship. A sword is not a sword at all without an application of sufficient knowledge and a great level of expertise of sword making. For those who are particularly interested on how to create swords, it is a must to know the proper metals, materials and the right tools and equipments needed for sword making.
Tips before starting on making swords
Study, study, study. It a highly recommended to do a background research on the theories and practicalities of sword making. You can never go wrong being knowledgeable on how to produce swords.
Resources. It is true that the web offers an endless array of places to find sword information; however nothing beats the magazines and books. You should invest on needed resources. You can start with the simplest yet complete source of information found in books. Books are detail-oriented and more accurate than any source of information.
Enlist help from experts. Swords are known to be dangerous weapons that require extreme caution. You should ask help from professional sword makers. You can start by observing how smith swords before you make it yourself. Consider asking for tour around the real sword smith’s workplace. Ask questions on the process of sword making and any queries you have based on what you have read.
Great things start from small beginnings. Slowly familiarize the basics and precautions on smith swords. If you have no experience whatsoever on working on metals, don’t rush on making swords. You may want to start with daggers or knives.
Planning your first attempt. Gather all necessary tools and materials and be open for major setbacks as a beginner. Give yourself a favor by patiently learning basic techniques on sword making and allow room for improvements.
The process of making the sword blade
Real swords are traditionally made through forging. It is a different case for mass produced swords such as ornamental swords which are not forged considering the long time needed for forging and could only create one sword at a time.
Prepare a scrap metal or metal bar. Plan well and pick out the size and shape of the blade you wish to make.
Forging
Forging is the process of hammering a heated metal of your sword. The hammering process is done to form the desired shape of your sword blade. It is a repeated and long process to ensure the right strength and flexibility of your blade. Be careful not to forge your sword blade to the point of exceedingly stiff and hard for it could break. You wouldn’t want your efforts to go to waste.
Annealing
Annealing is likewise heating the blade but cooling it down gradually at a maximum of 24 hours. The process of annealing refines the metal, modifying its composition, and softens it. The method prepares the steel to be softer for more shaping.
Grinding
The process of grinding is done to form and work out the sharp edges and point of the sword. It renders a smoother finish to the blade.
Hardening
When the sword underwent grinding, it is still too soft to pass as a sword blade then moving on the hardening process to further develop the sword. The blade is subjected to an extremely high temperature then placed in a quenching tank for cooling.
Tempering
This phase in the sword making process called tempering is where your sword will undergo another heating and quenching repeatedly done again and again. The temperature needed for tempering is much lower than what is applied during the grinding process. Consult a professional sword smith to help you determine when tempering is enough. It is advised that he checks your work during the whole process of sword making to avoid making costly mistakes and for invaluable tips.
Japanese swords are evidently marked with wave like markings called hamon as a result of tempering. The hamon is found on the edge of the sword.
Finishing
Congratulations for reaching the last phase called finishing. It involves attaching the pommel, the guard, the hilt, and other necessary parts together.
Technorati Tags: antique swords, how to make swords guide
June 19 2009 | antique swords | 1 Comment »
What makes an ancient sword famous and expensive?
An antique sword is without doubt, very expensive. Due to its high value, most sword collectors prefer collecting replicas of these rare swords. These swords are quite inexpensive as compared to an antique sword. Despite the availability of sword replica, nothing beats the value and authenticity of real swords. Just what makes antique swords so expensive? Read on for more information.
Perfection
A rare antique sword becomes famous for its perfect forging and condition. An excellent example of this is the Sword of Goujian, a 500 BC Chinese bronze sword belonging to King Goujian who once ruled the ancient kingdom of Shanghai, China. Archeologists found it buried for more than 2,000 years in an underground water system together with the tomb of the King. Despite the condition of the sword, it stood as an embodiment of perfection. Its bronze blade remains unblemished and sparkling along with its sharp cutting edge. It can still easily cut paper, wood, or flesh in one swoop.
The Sword of Goujian is now considered a priceless antique sword and a national treasure of China.
Mythical Status
A rare antique sword often mesmerizes collectors for its being legendary as famously depicted in movies, stories, and tales. The expensive swords of Muramasa, a 16th century Japanese sword-maker, have spooky stories to tell. Their blades were believed to be made from iron, carbon, and human blood. Neighbors and passersby remarked that dead bodies were found sprawling on the street across Muramasa’s forge from time to time. These stories could sound doubtful in their truthfulness yet they helped establish the priceless value of Muramasa swords.
Reputation
The reputation of rare antique swords becomes famous because of its well known owner. An example of this element of reputation is the sword of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. Ali is famous for his participation in a Muslim-Jewish battle in western Saudi Arabia sometime in 627 AD. He challenged to a duel the general of the enemy’s army, a man who was believed to have the strength of a thousand warriors. With one clean slash of his sword, Ali struck and cut his enemy into two halves. Ali’s sword, a rare antique Arab scimitar, was henceforth called the Zulqifar, meaning the Spinecleaver.
Smith
Lastly, a rare antique sword becomes renowned for its well-known smith. The higher the quality of the antique sword then the higher is its value. The extremely expensive Masamune swords are highly esteemed for their exquisite beauty and restrained fatality. Expert opinions have placed these swords as the cream of the crop. The ingenuity and extraordinary skills of Masamune have greatly contributed to the perfection of Japanese sword craft.
The key to a highly renowned antique sword is the combination of sheer perfection, its mythical status, reputation, and fine sword craft. It may be considered as a hefty price to pay yet is also an investment as its value increasing over time.
Technorati Tags: antique swords, hobby, why swords are expensive
May 28 2009 | antique swords | 2 Comments »
Antique swords are known to be fascinating to those who are intrigue by it from watching fantasy or action movies and literature. It may have sparked your desire to start your own antique sword collection. Follow these simple guidelines and your own your way to be a real sword enthusiast.
1. Familiarize the sword industry.
As a beginner, you should know the basics of collectible Japanese swords. You can start out by doing some research and introduce yourself to elemental information such as the anatomy of a sword and its parts. When research on swords is done, you will discover famous and not so famous type of antique swords which will help you determine the swords you want to look for. You can even go as far as learning the terminologies by heart.
2. Don’t even think of buying swords online auctions until you know what you are doing.
You will save yourself from learning the expensive lessons. It is quite difficult to distinguish a true value and condition of a sword when you view them online. It may show poor quality photographs, in sufficient descriptions, and make you susceptible to frauds. In the event that you decide to buy an antique sword on an online auction, try to stick to sellers who you’re familiar with or have a good reputation.
3. Get the know where to get information.
You can talk to experts like knowledgeable collectors or attend swords shows BEFORE you purchase any swords. You will get a good idea on the kind of swords and how to know their authenticity. It will save you from committing grave mistakes that could cost you your time and money.
4. Purchase your first piece or pieces of swords from a reputable dealer.
Reputable dealers tend to appreciate repeat customers and reputation to protect thus they won’t street you too far off course. For prices that set too high, don’t be afraid to try and negotiate. You can only pay less and if it’s not possible then there’s always another sword.
5. Do not buy a “fixer upper” as the first sword in your collection.
The thought of purchasing an “undiscovered treasure” is ultra tempting yet could yield high costs of restoration. Chances could be that many pieces out there aren’t simply worth restoring. You may not be knowledgeable (yet) to identify a real collectible sword from a badly damaged sword with hidden flaws.
6. Age is not related to the quality of the sword.
There have been excellent antique swords manufactured during the late Heian period to the present time. There also are great many poor blades produced over the same period.
7. Purchase your initial pieces that are in polish and ideally with papers from any major sword conservation organizations (NTHK o NBTHK).
An already polished Japanese sword can cut back any unnecessary spending. You don’t have to pay for nay restorations and the flaws are plain enough to thus reducing the risk considerably. As a beginning collector, you will have security when having papers from one of the major organizations because it affirms the quality of the piece and the validity of the signature. Not only that, it will make the piece easier to sell in the near future. Every buyer will want to have that same guarantee of quality.
8. Be cautious of buying an unsigned (mumei) piece or piece that has a forged signature or gimei.
You may be surprised to find such excellent swords for super reasonable prices, but they are also difficult to dispose by selling. Don’t think that by paying more, you are not getting a good deal. Rather, you are greatly reducing the risks if you have a sword organization or independent sword experts to verify it. False signatures can be fairly removed without any hassles but it’s often not worth all the trouble. You actually end up paying more total than the piece would be worth.
9. As obvious as it may be, you know how to care for your samurai sword.
Your sword collection may or may not need any cleaning. It would depend on some factors and the need for cleaning. Don’t make any attempts of cleaning and sharpening the swords yourself as it should be left at the hands of experts. Any mishaps imprinted on the sword can lead to irreversible damages which greatly decrease the value and beauty of your sword.
Technorati Tags: antique swords, arts, beginners tips, sword collecting
May 05 2009 | antique swords | No Comments »
The market for antique swords has never been brisk and fast-paced upon seeing auction houses selling interesting items to collectors. No matter where private collectors are based, you are sure to trade and auction off on the internet, auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s.
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The largest source of authentic swords can easily be found on antique sword auctions. Auction houses play an important role on appraising the value of ancient swords. Not only that, they can also assess the value of ancient sword in the future.
A 17th century gold small-sword of Prince William Frederick has a price tag of 62,400 dollars. You can also find a rare Italian rapier costing around 20,000 to 25,000 dollars on Antique Arms and Armour. Get to own an antique dagger forged in the 19th century for only 10 to 150 dollars as well.
This was not the case if you look antique swords being auctioned years ago. Dr. Walter Ames Compton is a passionate collector of antique Japanese swords. He shared that auction during his time was very limited and scarce. Swords collecting were not openly traded. He first developed interest in sword collecting during the heels of the war and had to search through Chinatown to look what he searched for. The interest of Dr. Compton soon turned into profits when his Japanese swords and fittings amounting to an overwhelming 15 million dollars.
Auction houses regularly bid swords only twice a year. Christie’s and Sotheby’s hold auctions every December 17 and May 21 each year. They may hold auctions quite not often as you would expect them but it is well compensated by the choice of artifacts they put on sale. It provides adequate time for bidders to review the items and think about their choices. Online sites on the other hand such as eBay trade antique swords like merchandise. Auctions can be as frequent as 24/7. Private collectors deal with artifacts among collectors themselves. They could either exchange their sword collection with another or sell their complete collection to acquire collectible swords being sold.
A few reminders before you jump online to check out auction houses. Online auction can save you money and time but is also subjected to scams. Shady dealers can cheat on you given online doesn’t offer much security for trades and commerce.
It is wise to seek reputable auction sites backed with good feedbacks. Always ask for marks or any distinctions to prove the identity and authenticity of the items. Rare collectible swords contain rich history thus fetching an expensive price. Do some research to arm you with information. You can also double check the claims of the auctioneer and try to verify the provenance before deciding whether you want to close the sale or not. If you decided to bid, make a mental dollar cap on the item you desire. Make an estimation of the maximum price of the antique Polish army sword and stick to your budget.
Check out Sothebys and Christies to view antique swords currently out on sale.
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April 28 2009 | antique swords | 2 Comments »
Sword fighting moves look so swift and so simple in movies but the case isn’t exactly the same in real life. You might want to do some research before training on how to bust sword fighting moves of your own. The best way to correct the edge angle and focus intent in sword moves is by training in cutting techniques against targets with the use of a sharp blade.
Be careful with sharp blades.
You probably know how fast it is to cut yourself with a kitchen knife when chopping vegetables or slicing meat. Consider the grave consequences when handling swords. It is a million times sharper compared to a home kitchen. In the event when you accidentally cut yourself, you might not even be aware until you see a finger on the ground and blood starts to appear. No pain is felt in the first few seconds so you may not realize that you already hurt yourself. Don’t fool around with untrained sword cutting. An extra sharp blade cut on a target can even leave a piece of bamboo standing in exactly the same position as it was before the cut. Let someone who is trained in sword cutting supervise you. As beginners, you may want to be trained in working with wooden or blunt steel swords before you start working with sharp sword blades.
Training proper
Sword cutting isn’t a common skill to be learned without plenty of prior training. Accidents are more likely to happen when you don’t equip yourself with tons of research and training. Make a rule for yourself to never brush up on your cutting skills alone. Let somebody know that you are going to starting to master the skill of cutting with a sword.
If you have spectators in this learning session, make sure everyone is not chatting and moving about. They should be concentrating and keep one’s eyes peeled if a blade suddenly breaks or flies out of someone’s hands. They need to see it and avoid any mishaps form taking place. Always give your 101% focus during training. The fewer distractions, the better it is for you.
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Designate someone you know as a “guard” or “marshall”. No one is allowed to enter the training area without his or her consent. Draw a line to keep bystanders at a safe distance. Keep the area dry to avoid making it slippery. It would also help if cutters are trained in how to manipulate swords like handing over, at rest among others before any attempts on cutting with the swords.
Safety eye glasses and soft leather gloves are must-have equipments. The safety glasses serve as a protection against flying fragment. Soft leather gloves will prevent hand cuts from accidentally touching the blade. Do yourself a favor: Never try to swing a sword not until you have a good control with a non-sharpened training sword.
Decide on the kinds of cuts you want to learn, work on and improve as time pass. It’s better to work on a single type of cut or two then learn them in repetition. Don’t let embarrassment or disappointment. When you failed to do learn how to do the last cut, you can either master it well or move on to the next cut. Be conscious of the body mechanics you need to work on. Your sword technique should follow the correct principles much more when using a sword for cutting. Don’t let your technique go to waste by simply swing wildly. Did you follow through? Did you control your cut so it stops in a position which lets you make a second cut? Check your grip on the sword. Are you holding it properly? When the angle of the edge is not correct then even a soft plastic bottle will bounce or tear upon impact.
Know your target.
Try varieties of targets. If you start out with soft plastic bottles and end up cutting them with ease then try rigid plastic such as soda bottles. Also try small branches as well as fruit and vegetables in between targets. For advanced sword cutting, opt for bamboo or bamboo wrapped in rush mats, so on. Be open to constructive criticism from experts. In this way you can pick up tips and comments on how you performed.
Secure the right equipments
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A good or high quality sword
Don’t even think of taking your fantasy movie sword off your wall o r the Katana you bought at the markets to try to cut with it. It may have a sharp blade but doesn’t quite fit as a real sword. Some of those swords have a thin piece of steel welded onto the blade, under the handle called a “rat tail” tang. The “rat tail” tang isn’t strong enough and can easily snap. When you start to cut your target, the blade that looked sharp enough for sword cutting, flies through the air then cuts the wrong thing possibly your leg, your car window or even the dog. Another possibility is the blade might not break instead will bend for being too soft. Let swords as decorations to function to look pretty hung on the wall, and get a real sword.
Safety glasses or fencing mask
Buy yourself a safety glass that won’t easily shatter. The last thing you need is safety glasses that act as an accessory to injuries. Squash glasses are good for Australians. Raquetball glasses are available in America.
Soft leather gloves
Gloves aren’t required but offer added protection from accidentally cutting a finger when wiping down the blade between cuts.
Cutting materials as targets
Prepare a collection of cutting materials neatly stacked out of the way of the cutting area. If it’s recyclable such as plastic bottles or cans then recycle it after the session.
Cutting stands
Expect for some repairs on your cutting stands even if they’re made of sturdy platform. There may instances that someone, or yourself might miss the target and cut straight through the thick wood. You can also hang targets from a branch; have someone toss them for you, or other methods.
A handy dandy camera
A camera is one of the non-compulsory items but can be fun and useful especially if it’s video. You can view and play back later to evaluate your sword cutting. An effective way to review and evaluate your training is to capture your form and watch the results to make improvement.
You can learn to do cut with your sword responsibly with respect for your blade. Good luck on your sword training!
Technorati Tags: antique swords, how to, sword cutting, sword fighting, sword training
April 06 2009 | antique swords | 1 Comment »
Christmas Day is just around the corner in less than three weeks to go. If you haven’t started buying gifts for your loved ones, it’s not yet too late to start Christmas gift hunting. You might be one of those people who don’t have the time and patience to spend long hours at the mall to look for the perfect Christmas gift. Think of giving an unusual Christmas gift in the form of swords for sword collectors. A sword is a unique and unusual gift making the recipient feel been admired in an outstanding way. It delivers a message that you spent much thought on how you came up with your special and unique gift. Read on to find ideas and suggestions in a holiday gift guide of collectible swords and sword-inspired novelty items conveniently compiled from www.amazon.com.
Swords: An Artist Devotion (Hardcover)
This 94-pages book is written by Ben Boos. Here is a celebration of swords and swordsmen that spans time and place - from ancient warriors such as Beowulf to medieval knights; from stealthy ninja and samurai to legendary maidens of war. Illustrated with breathtaking intricacy, SWORDS reflects the passion of a true devotee, offering lavish background details on design and use as well as exquisite spreads showcasing specimens in all their shining glory. Brave men and women have taken up the sword since ages of old, and a fascination with this formidable weapon grips dedicated followers to this day.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Swords and Sabers
Read this 256 pages book which features many fascinating weapons, including Napoleonic swords. Cavalry sabers, American pole arms, the rapier and the naval cutlass at a price of $ 23.10.
The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese Arts Library) (Hardcover)
This volume, containing color and black-and-white plates, has been prepared as an introduction to the history and appreciation of the Japanese sword. Its author, until his death in 1978, was one of Japan’s foremost sword experts, and his wide knowledge is here brought to bear on every aspect of sword lore, including forging techniques and problems of appraisal. Looking over the 1,500 years of sword history in Japan, Kanzan Sato notes how the major developments-the shift from the early straight blades to the tachi, which were longer curved blades slung edge downwards at the waist, to the familiar daishō pair of short and long swords worn by samurai until modern times-were the result of both technical innovation and changed fighting techniques. He examines the various fashions in sword mounts and the at times precious, highly decorated work of the smiths who specialized in sword guards, or tsuba, during the Momoyama and Edo periods.
Japanese Antique Warrior Samurai Katana Sword Set
Here is a sword that really impresses. In this case, this Japanese antique Warrior Samurai Katana Sword set is the whole package a well-balanced blade, solid tang construction, leather sage-o, and a stainless steel blade. This sword comes in a set of three, the Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto. They’re all perfectly made with a 440 mirror polish stainless steel. The scabbard is in brown with the sage-o is brown wrapped cord over two of the metal fittings and ending with two leather-carrying straps. The guard is very detailed with a Dragon and two warriors. The Handle is also wrapped in brown cord with the pommel decorated. This set comes with a 3 piece sword stand.
Antique Brass Sword Cane
Modern technology combines with precision manufacturing to create a never before seen sword cane. The handle is constructed from an elegant antique brass that has a wonderful finish. The 15 1/2 inch elegant stainless steel blade screws securely into the black aluminum shaft. Measures 34 1/2 inches overall.
Black Cord Wrapped Boken Daito Wood Practice Sword
Unlike most poorly manufactured and shoddy wooden practice katanas, this sword brings to both stability and practicality. With a comfortable cord wrapped handle and sturdy construction, this practice sword will last through many rigorous training sessions. Guard and no longer includes oversized rubber band brace, now ships with normal style rubber band brace, not pictured. If you are going to practice, why not use a practice sword that feels and grips like a real sword?
Hattori Hanzo Kill Bill Samurai Katana Sword Devil Bill
Here is an affordable sword from the movie Kill Bill. Don’t pay $75 or more for this sword, buy it on Amazon and save! This movie replica sword from the Kill Bill movies is the one of the hottest selling movie replica swords. Its popularity is due the fact Bill’s Demon symbol is actually carved into the scabbard, just like the movie!
Dance Sword, Stainless Steel
A Dance sword of Middle East of origin is made available at a value price of $71.93. This collectible sword is of handcrafted quality with a 30-day return policy.
Imagine the look on your loved one’s face upon opening and revealing a collectible sword as a Christmas gift. It will sure please a sword collector and sword enthusiasts alike. Engage in an adventure of hunting for the right sword for your loved one 18 years old above or however the law requires in your country. The advantage of the internet is that it supplies you with a wide array of gift items at a competitive price. Take advantage of savings you can enjoy for swords sold online on reputable resellers such as on Amazon. Happy shopping!
Technorati Tags: antique swords, Christmas gifts for sword collectors, collectible swords, holiday gift guide
December 08 2008 | antique swords | No Comments »
Sword collecting is one of the exciting ways to rediscover world history and enrich your particular interest in antique swords. When you finally decide to start a sword collecting hobby, know these tips on how to start your new found hobby.
What and Where to buy
Collectible swords are products from all different eras of history and countries in the world. Its purposes included cavalry, fighting, ceremonial, infantry and executioner. Ponder well and engage in some historical research and learn what type of sword you plan to acquire. Check local and international laws on possession and importing swords before attempting to do so. You can search the Internet, browse collector’s and sword magazines, interview collectors and historians for additional information on types, prices, availability of swords. After you selected the type of sword you want to collect, decide where to purchase it. You have several options to choose from. You can buy on eBay, websites that specialize in selling swords to the public or consider canvassing the offers of private dealers, specialized shops which deals with antiques or visit your nearby “flea market” in your area where items are much more affordable. Use caution when purchasing swords online. Double check its reference and review all the feedback about the collectible sword. It won’t hurt if you email the seller to ask concerns about the product.
Cost
Collecting antique swords doesn’t come cheap just like collecting rare paintings or memorabilia.. You have to give consideration on how much money you can spare to fund your new hobby. Know how much you can spend for a certain sword but be careful not to splurge or spend beyond your means. Don’t be frustrated when you can’t get a sword due to financial limitations since establishing the size of your collection is meant to be built over time. Check and discuss with your insurance agent about the cost of protecting your investment in your collection of swords. Valuable collectibles may not be covered by your standard home owner’s policy in times of theft, natural disasters and other unfavorable incidents.
Handling and Maintenance
Your antique sword is intended as a collection and not as a weapon. Decide carefully where you want to put your swords as display in your home. Make sure everyone who comes into your house are aware not to handle your swords without permission from you. Monitor children that they should be kept away from potentially dangerous objects. Plan where to securely stack away your sword. You may need to put it in a special case up high on a wall to avoid unnecessary handling. The wise thing you can do for your sword collection is to store it in a display case where you can control the temperature and humidity. Your collectible swords will be preserved in good condition when mounted on a wall where you live in an area with high humidity. Always ensure your swords are rust-free by keeping it moisture-free. Don’t let anyone touch the blades since the oil on people’s hands can eat away the metal. Wipe it down afterwards in times your sword has to be handled. Avoid cleaning it with rough materials in the likes of sandpaper. You can prevent rust formation by wiping your sword blades on a regular basis with clear non-organic oil while giving it an attractive sheen. Try to find a special stand for swords so you can place them accurately in one row.
Authentic antique swords can cost a big sum of money which requires care and high maintenance to preserve its value and attractiveness. A sound knowledge of what you want your sword collection and what items are available will also help protect you from falling prey to scams that unfortunately make their way around the internet. Sword collecting is not common interest that you should engage into without proper hesitation.
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November 10 2008 | antique swords | No Comments »
If you’re planning to add a new item to your sword collection, katana makes an impressive addition to your array of collectible swords. Long before katana or “samurai sword” gained instant fame in modern epic cinema in films such as Kill Bill and The Last Samurai, samurai swords have long stand as a symbol of Japan and it rich history.
Katana is perhaps the most well-known of Japanese swords with its curved and one sided blade. This longest samurai sword over 24 inches is most preferred for use in outdoor combat. Its quality of having blade on side enables Japanese samurai to launch surprise attacks on their enemy by wearing it from the belt with the cutting edge facing upwards perfected during the 10th century.
Beware of many sites and stores offering cheap katana swords and discount samurai words. They may not be as authentic as they look. Genuine katana swords should possess forged steel blades. Always ask for katana swords with forged steel and heat treated blades. Katana is designed with the shape similar to those ancient katana swords to achieve the right balance. It takes enormous skill and effort in hand creating a katana. Its polish should be carefully examined when choosing one.
There is a certain feeling of power and prestige which comes when you hold an authentic samurai collectible sword. Just don’t forget to properly handle and store your katana as it may become seriously damaged when mishandled. You should often keep the blade well-oiled and polished as natural moisture residue from the hands of the user will cause the blade to rust if not smeared off.
Truly capturing the spirit of old Japan are samurai swords widely distinguished throughout the history of mankind. Katana is one of those antique swords that hold the interests of our modern culture. Choose right and choose well and own a katana sword worth every cent.
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November 09 2008 | antique swords and collectible swords | 1 Comment »
We are your number one resource on everything fancy and interesting about antique and collectible swords. Are you collecting antique swords but don’t have a clue where to find what you’re looking for? Look no more and end your quest right here on www.antique-swords.net.
This comprehensive site is designed to keep a wide library of information deemed useful to an antique sword collector like you. This site also serves as your ultimate guide to identify and date swords in your collection.
Swords are known to be one of the oldest weapons used. It is closely associated to brave men like Robin Hood, King Arthur and Zorro.
Why swords?
Collecting antique swords is an exciting way to rediscover the rich history of the world. These weapons can be a great inheritance that you can pass over to your next kin. You can collect different types of swords and make a unique collection out of them. After all, swords have exceptional historic value. A good swords collection has historical significance which makes it one of the most precious and interesting collections of all time. Not only can you build and interesting ollection, it can also reap you a neat amount and other financial benefits from owning collectible swords.
Types of Swords
Collectible swords are divided into two basic types: Functional Swords and Display Swords. The first type is as good as real weapons due to the sharp edges in their design which makes it capable of cutting things. Functional swords may have no lawful use but as a collector nothing beats owning genuine items in your sword collection. They are worth a fortune - people get nostalgic when made aware of the heritage cost of real and authentic swords. Display swords are lightweight and manufactured primarily strictly for display or aesthetic purpose only. With the lack of functionality, this type of sword is quite easy to collect and asks for a lower price.
Among the wide range of collectible swords are Samurai Swords that exist for many centuries now. They come in various shapes and sizes from double-edged and single-edged to straight and curve-bladed. They vary in length and even the way of carrying them. For the past centuries, the most common and popular samurai swords were a slightly curved and single-edged sword with varying length. The main types are long sword (katana), short sword (wakizashi) and long knife (tanto).
Sword Maintenance
The easy to manage type of sword is the stainless steel sword which needs dusting and at times cleaning with soapy water. Swords made of carbon steel require coatings to keep the blade oxygen-free and rust-free. Various types of chemicals are available in the market which can be good for preserving and maintaining the attractiveness of such collection.
Congratulations on finding www.antique-swords.net and explore the world of sword collectibles and Antique Sword collections!
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October 23 2008 | antique swords and collectible swords | No Comments »
