| Fantasy weapons, and particularly fantasy swords, | | | | decorative swords obtainable. |
| are offered in a broad variety of styles including | | | | Functional Fantasy Swords and Weapons |
| Highlander, Lord of the Rings, Samurai, Dragon | | | | Fantasy designs are of course, fantasy! So to |
| and Final Fantasy swords. If you are looking for a | | | | translate an ornamental fantasy sword into a |
| fantasy sword you need to be aware of how | | | | working sword isn't always easy or even possible. |
| you will be using the sword and what to look out | | | | Several manufacturers have managed to bring |
| for. There is a significant disparity in fantasy | | | | together the element of fantasy with function to |
| weapons made for simply decorative use and | | | | produce an adequate functional fantasy sword. An |
| those made to be functional or 'battle ready'. The | | | | example is the by the Hanwei Forge is the Dark |
| finest quality swords can be pricey though there | | | | Sentinel Sword which is a combination of a |
| are some obtainable below around $450. | | | | Japanese katana and a European duelling sword. A |
| Cheap Fantasy Swords and Weapons | | | | functional sword made from tempered carbon |
| A lot of the swords in the shops are made in | | | | steel is made by Windlass Steelcrafts some of |
| China or Pakistan and, whilst they look OK in a | | | | which are are inspired by the Dungeons and |
| photograph they are cheaply made, which is | | | | Dragons game or the series of books, The Wheel |
| apparent when you receive them. They are | | | | of Time. |
| poorly manufactured, frequently with loose hilts | | | | Generation 2 make Lord of the Rings fantasy |
| and brittle blades and very little detail. They are | | | | swords who also manufacture a large fantasy |
| however, extremely cheap so you get what you | | | | sword which is called the Sword of Chaos, while |
| pay for! If you solely want an ornamental sword | | | | the main part of their products are historically |
| to exhibit on the wall they could be appropriate | | | | accurate medieval sword replicas. One more |
| although if you only give $30 you cannot expect | | | | sword maker that we would mention is |
| anything of superior quality. | | | | Darksword Armoury which make sturdy |
| Ornamental High Quality Weapons and Swords | | | | functional fantasy swords. Some of their designs |
| There are several better quality, ornamental | | | | are based on traditional fantasies including Lord of |
| swords obtainable and one designer to look for is | | | | the Rings and some are novel fantasy designs. |
| Kit Rae who has been making fantasy swords, | | | | They also make the Anduril Sword of Aragorn. |
| axes and knives since 1984. While not 'battle | | | | |
| ready' these stainless steel attractive fantasy | | | | Final Thoughts |
| weapons are excellent value for money. There | | | | Do some research before you buy a fantasy |
| are however many fake Kit Rae swords as they | | | | sword. Make certain you are aware of the |
| are the ones most copied by counterfeiters. A lot | | | | distinction between functional and decorative |
| of sellers even go so far as showing you | | | | swords and buy one that suits your requirements. |
| photographs of authentic Kit Rae weapons then | | | | Don't expect a cheap imitation to be useful for |
| will sell you a bogus one. Genuine Kit Rae swords | | | | anything except decorating your wall. For a high |
| can be bought from roughly $100. These are | | | | quality fantasy weapon pick one from a well |
| ornamental rather than functional and are | | | | known manufacturer and steer clear of the |
| manufactured from stainless steel. They are | | | | cut-rate replicas brought in from China or Pakistan. |
| superb art works and are the best value | | | | |