| When most people think of weapons and battle | | | | these is the Katana sword, or samurai sword. If |
| equipment, they think of guns. But long before | | | | you are looking to have a wall piece or have a |
| gunpowder was made to give bullets flight, there | | | | sword as a piece of art, the katana is a great |
| were swords. Swords are still used for many | | | | option. |
| things these days including battle scenes for | | | | Another direction to go in would be for sporting |
| movies and winning medals at the Olympics, but | | | | glory. Top Olympic athletes use fencing swords to |
| how do you, the average consumer, go about | | | | make their bids for gold medals. A fending sword |
| choosing your very own sword? What things | | | | is an extremely lightweight piece that has an |
| should you look for and what are the various | | | | exceptionally thin and slender blade. It is used to |
| types that are out there? This article is about | | | | jab and stab at an opponent and points are |
| helping you to find the sword that is right for you. | | | | scored for hits on the body. It is a very noble and |
| The first step to knowing what you want in a | | | | traditional sport, and one of only four to be |
| sword is deciding what it will be used for. Are you | | | | featured in every Olympics. |
| the type who is going to buy a sword for | | | | And before you go out and choose your own |
| decoration, or do you intend on using the sword? | | | | sword, make sure you know what you want. It is |
| There is a big difference in decorative and | | | | helpful to do your research so that you get the |
| non-decorative swords. For one thing, a | | | | exact thing that you want. It will also be much |
| decorative sword is meant to be displayed only. It | | | | easier to choose a sword that is for decoration |
| is usually not going to be as sharp, but it will look | | | | only, as the swords that you will want to handle |
| good hanging on a wall or in a case. The | | | | (be it for a prop or for fencing) should be tested |
| non-decorative swords out there are much | | | | out in person to make sure that they have the |
| sharper, and are going to be able to be used to | | | | correct balance and are the right size for you. |
| cut and chop exactly as they were intended. The | | | | Finally, a few warnings about swords to those |
| next thing you have to look at is what type of | | | | unfamiliar. They are sharp! Seriously, be careful |
| sword you want. This can be difficult as there are | | | | when handling a sword. Much like a knife, the |
| hundreds of different types of swords out there. | | | | edges of swords have been honed to be as |
| If you are the type of person who is either | | | | sharp as possible. You wouldn't want to go to |
| recreating a battle scene or needs a prop for an | | | | battle with a dull sword, and all are very sharp. |
| all-out medieval battle, then a European type | | | | The main difference between a sword and knife |
| sword is going to work best. These include the | | | | though, is that a sword is also usually very large. |
| Claymore, the Longsword, the Rapier, the | | | | It was meant to be able to strike an enemy |
| Broadsword and more. Usually, these medieval | | | | from a short distance and that means that |
| swords are large and have wide, flat blades. The | | | | handling a sword should be done with care. If you |
| broadsword and the claymore are especially large, | | | | plan on placing your sword on display, make sure |
| and most of the time will require two hands to | | | | that it has a solid structure holding it up or, to be |
| wield. | | | | extra certain of it staying put and not being |
| If you are aiming for something that might be | | | | disturbed, place it in a see-through acrylic or glass |
| easier to wield, then it may be worth your time | | | | housing so that it can be seen, but not touched. |
| to check out Asian style swords. Traditionally, | | | | At this point it should also be noted that swords |
| Asian style swords have long, curved blades that | | | | are also not cheap. The best swords on the |
| are extremely sharp and can be used to slice | | | | market cost many thousands of dollars. If you |
| through objects in no time. They are also easier | | | | are planning on investing in a sword, do so |
| to use, as they are usually of a lighter weight, yet | | | | knowing that you will have a very original, |
| still incredibly strong. Probably the most famous of | | | | one-of-a-kind piece to enjoy for many years. |