| If you always wanted to own a medieval sword | | | | comes with the rack or wall mount. |
| to hang on the wall, show to your friends, or bring | | | | If you want a sword to wear as part of a |
| with you to a Renaissance Faire this guide will help | | | | costume or as an accompaniment to Renaissance |
| you to make a good first purchase. | | | | Faires and Role Playing events then you should |
| Sword buying can be a very confusing process. | | | | get a sword that comes with a belt and scabbard. |
| There are thousands of sellers, hundreds of | | | | Again, because swords come in a tremendous |
| manufacturers, and a dozen different types of | | | | variety of sizes, finding a scabbard can be a very |
| metals that swords are made out of. But you | | | | difficult task. |
| shouldn’t worry too much about any of | | | | Narrow your decision down to one of the three |
| this. If this is your first sword then you should | | | | basic types of Medieval Swords |
| make it a pleasurable experience by getting the | | | | Because there are thousands of different swords |
| sword that looks and feels right for you. If you | | | | you should figure out which of the three main |
| stick with a reputable seller then the sword should | | | | types of swords you want to get. |
| be of a good quality that will give you many | | | | - Replicas of original swords— You may |
| years of worry free enjoyment and maybe even | | | | want to get a sword that is a replica of an |
| start you on a sword collecting hobby. | | | | authentic sword such as a Scottish claymore, |
| Get your hands on some swords if possible | | | | Japanese Katana, or Spanish rapier. |
| First and foremost you should, if possible, visit a | | | | - Movie Replicas: - You may want to get a sword |
| retail or wholesale store that has a wide variety | | | | that you have seen in a movie and Lord of the |
| of swords that you can actually hold and handle. If | | | | Rings swords are very popular. |
| this means taking a twenty-five mile trip in the | | | | - Fantasy Swords — These swords can |
| car then it is worth the time and effort. Bring with | | | | have a very creative look, often times they have |
| you a small notebook so you can take notes | | | | intricate handles and unique blade shapes. |
| about the different swords you like and write | | | | So now you have narrowed you selection down |
| down the different manufacturers and model | | | | to the use of the sword and the type of sword |
| numbers so you can do some online comparison | | | | and you are ready to start looking at actually |
| shopping for price bargains. It is important to | | | | purchasing a sword. Here are some guidelines to |
| actually hold the sword and see it because the | | | | help you make a good purchase. |
| feel of a sword is difficult to convey on a | | | | New or used? |
| website. | | | | I recommend you only purchase a new sword |
| If you are going to buy a sword online | | | | from a reputable retailer. This way you have an |
| If you cannot visit a place that sells swords and | | | | ironclad guarantee that if there are any problems |
| you absolutely have to buy one online here are a | | | | with the sword. You can just send it back and try |
| couple of things you should do. Make very careful | | | | another sword. The big online retailers such as |
| note of the weight of the sword then get | | | | Amazon or Overstock are perfectly suited to this. |
| yourself something that weighs the same and | | | | And if you find yourself looking at lesser-known |
| hold it in your hands. You will be surprised how | | | | sites or weapons specialty sites there are a few |
| this feels and there is a very big difference | | | | things you should look for. Does the site have the |
| between a sword that weighs two pounds and | | | | hackersafe guaranteed logo? Does it have a |
| one that weighs four pounds. You should also note | | | | clearly posted customer support telephone |
| the length of the sword then use a measuring | | | | number you can call? |
| tape to get a feel for the actual size of it. I would | | | | Do your research and shop around before you |
| recommend you even cut a piece of cardboard | | | | buy |
| into the shape and size of the sword you are | | | | The Internet has brought with it the ability to |
| thinking about buying. You can hold this cardboard | | | | gather information from a lot of different |
| mock up, swing it around and even pin it to the | | | | resources. Search the web for sites, forums, and |
| wall to get an idea of how it will look on display. | | | | articles on swords and the particular sword you |
| Deciding why you want a sword | | | | want to buy. Take lots of notes so you can |
| The first and foremost decision you have to | | | | make an informed decision. |
| make is why you want the sword. This will | | | | Swords have a two thousand year history and |
| greatly help you in choosing your first sword. | | | | there are many manufacturers, sellers, collectors, |
| There are two main reasons I will describe here. | | | | and experts of swords. But when it comes down |
| If you want a sword to hang on the wall as a | | | | to your first sword you should decide on the |
| display piece that you occasionally take down to | | | | sword that is going to make you happy and not |
| show to friends then you should look for a sword | | | | worry about all the details that can easily cloud |
| that comes with a wall mount display or a rack | | | | your decision. Get a sword that looks and feels |
| display all in one package. Because medieval | | | | right for you and get it from an established and |
| swords come in many different shapes, sizes, | | | | well-know retailer and you will have a sword that |
| weights, and lengths buying a sword then trying | | | | will bring you years of enjoyment and maybe |
| to match it up with a rack can be a tricky | | | | even start you off on a new hobby. |
| process. I recommend you get a sword that | | | | |