| I have been selling swords and knives for the | | | | design. The blade is welded to the tang and not |
| past seven years on my site and | | | | very durable. The best functional design is a full |
| Brothersmith-Knives.com, doing research and | | | | tang. Here the blade and tang are on piece of |
| answering questions on the different types of | | | | metal and less likely to break. |
| swords and their uses. I've lived for six years in | | | | Workmanship may well be the most important. |
| Europe and seven in the Orient seen and held | | | | There are two basic ways to make a sword. |
| swords that are easier dated in centuries rather | | | | They are machined and hand forged. The |
| than years. | | | | machined sword is almost entirely forged by a |
| Functional Swords like the ones listed on | | | | machine while the hand forged is done by a |
| Brothersmith-Swords.com's Functional Swords | | | | human. Purest say hand forged is the only way. |
| page are made to be used and to keep an edge. | | | | However, I've seen many machined forged |
| However, to really answer this question you have | | | | swords I feel more comfortable with. The key is |
| to explain the three kinds of swords people sell. | | | | micro-fractures. During the forging process |
| The first is a Decorative Sword. These are | | | | sometime small fractures are left inside the |
| swords made to decorate and for display only. | | | | sword. The more fractures there are the more |
| They are very elaborate and are sometimes | | | | likely the sword can break. There are many |
| heavy replicas of historical, fantasy and movie | | | | carbon steel swords not advertised as functional |
| swords. They often come with a sword plaque or | | | | because of inconsistency. One sword might be |
| stand for their display in the home or office. The | | | | great the next might not hold up. You take your |
| blades are made of stainless steel and are | | | | chances when you buy these swords for use. |
| generally highly polished. They look really good but | | | | One last note on design, a practical sword is made |
| are not designed or made for use. The second is | | | | for stage plays and reenactments where safety |
| a Costume Sword. While they have many of the | | | | is the key. Practical swords have rounded or dull |
| same characteristics of a decorative sword, they | | | | edges and points. |
| are generally lighter and come with a sheath or | | | | Functional swords can cost much more than |
| some means of wearing the sword with a | | | | decorative or costume swords. Prices can run |
| costume. The last is the Functional Sword. | | | | from less than $ 100.00 for an entry level sword |
| So What's The Difference? | | | | to thousands for a made to order sword. Prices |
| To keep it simple, quality is the thing that makes | | | | are also based on the degree of functionality. An |
| a functional or battle ready sword different. The | | | | entry level sword can cost from under $ 100 to $ |
| quality of the materials, design and workmanship | | | | 200. These are light duty swords which are great |
| all play a part in a good functional sword. The | | | | for a beginner. A medium duty sword or battle |
| materials are very important. High carbon steel is | | | | ready sword can cost up to $ 1000 and are |
| generally used to make the blades and other | | | | usually used in reenactments and plays. Heavy |
| more durable materials are used for the guard, | | | | duty swords can cost thousands. They can be |
| pommel and grips. High carbon steel is much | | | | used for any purpose but are better suited for |
| harder. This type of steel is better suited for | | | | extended use as in a nightly stage combat plays. |
| keeping an edge and less likely to break upon | | | | After being in the US Army for 21 year, I can tell |
| contact. The quality of the materials use in the | | | | you anything can be broken. No matter how well |
| guard, pommel and grip are of equal importance. | | | | a sword is made abuse, neglect and improper use |
| A great high carbon steel blade with a pot metal | | | | will damage or break any sword. I'm not talking |
| or inferior guard and grip is a wall hanger. | | | | about small dings in the sharp edges. Some |
| Some people say the original design of a sword is | | | | carbon steels are so hard it's almost impossible to |
| the best. I agree. Swords were originally made for | | | | sharpen them. Most swords are forged so the |
| combat at the time they were designed and | | | | edges are softer and can be sharpened. Please |
| forged. Some like the samurai sword were | | | | consult a qualified fight director on the proper use |
| designed to cut while others like the medieval | | | | and quality of weapons needed for heavy use in |
| claymore and long sword were made to bash and | | | | stage plays. |
| stab. The major design element is the tang. The | | | | I hope this helps to explain the term Functional |
| tang is the part of the sword that attaches the | | | | Swords. One rule to use in selecting a sword is |
| blade to the guard, grip and pommel. Some | | | | safety first. You are buying a weapon and get |
| decorative and costume swords use a rat-tail | | | | what you pay for, price should always be second. |