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