[zahc]

I can't think of a single use for a sword nowadays, but I can't help but want one. I guess it's the knife fetish thing kicking in (I don't need more than a couple (dozen) knives either) and swords are just really big knives. The thing is I don't even know where you go to buy a sword nowadays. All I seem to even see is fleamarket knockoffs, or super expensive replicas. Can a man buy a, you know, just kind of a, working man's, everyday sword:cool:

[PI Rob]

I think Cold Steel has real swords and I remember seeing a catalog, I think it was CAS cutlery but I could be wrong, that had usable Medievil type swords. Look in the knife magazines for sword maker ads and you should get some websites from there. I don't think it's bad to want a sword, just fun. Heck, I want a Battle Axe!:D

[Fosbery]

How are Cold Steel's swords? I have no use for or particular desire to own a sword (though I wouldn't say no to a free one) but I often see swords by Cold Steel and I can't help but think that they must be terrible quality at that price. I mean, they sell plenty of swords which are cheaper than knives a fraction of the size - and Cold Steel's knife quality is often dubious in my opinion. Thoughts?

[PaZuZu]

Haha, well. Yes and no.

Yes, it is bad, if you get the idea that owning a katana makes you akin to some sort of honor code-driven samurai warrior, or that owning a claymore makes you the damn Highlander.

No, it isn't, if you've simply got an affinity for them, without going overboard.

Just my opinion, though. Never much cared for knives myself, let alone long ones. o.O

[horge]

I can't think of a single use for a sword nowadays



I'm almost never out in the field without mine.

http://i10.tinypic.com/4g3jqza.jpg

A small knife is useless against the wild packs (feral dogs)
that can come up on me from seemingly out of nowhere.

My sword's decent for hacking through medium foliage:
I've found the sinuous edge serves me better than straight for it.
More weight forward would make bush-clearing easier,
but make stikking slower and less accurate.

Dogs see (and understand) the blade more readily than
the pistol, and I hate wasting ammo on warning shots.
Real hard to keep the blade shiny, though

:)

[PaZuZu]

I'm almost never out in the field without mine.

O.O

You know they have machetes now, right? They pretty much do all of that, without being... y'know, gigantic and flamberge-like.

[horge]

You know they have machetes now, right? They pretty much do all of that, without being... y'know, gigantic and flamberge-like.
:)

Can't stikk with a machete. Packs of dogs and all that.
A spear would be better only against a single dog.

...and hey, the sword isn't so big!
That's a small Bersa .380 beside it.
If I'd parked a 1911 in the pic, you'd see.

-horge


EDIT: Here ya go:
http://i12.tinypic.com/2nb5yeh.jpg

It's all beat up and well-used, sure....
but I love how useful this thing is on field trips.

[PI Rob]

How are Cold Steel's swords? I have no use for or particular desire to own a sword (though I wouldn't say no to a free one) but I often see swords by Cold Steel and I can't help but think that they must be terrible quality at that price. I mean, they sell plenty of swords which are cheaper than knives a fraction of the size - and Cold Steel's knife quality is often dubious in my opinion. Thoughts?




Don't really know anything about their quality just know that they sell swords and the like. Sorry I can't be more help.

[Rasputin747]

"He who lives by the sword, dies by the gun."


:p

[Kaylee]

Hey -- that's kinda cool horge. :)

kahc -- for that "kind of a, working man's, everyday sword" - Angus Trim is well thought of by the folks over on swordforum for practical (not necessarily pretty) well made swords.

http://www.asaswordworks.com/index.html
http://www.angustrimdirect.com/index.html

I've only had a chance to play with his stuff once, and it's lighter than you'd think and scary sharp..

[tellner]

CAS Iberia, Paul Chen, Cold Steel and Museum Replicas are the standard sources. They all make fair to quite good items at prices from alright to unchristly. If you go to swordforums.com you will be able to get a lot of really good advice on the subject from people who are at least as into swords as THRies are into guns.

Is it wrong to want a sword? No. Almost everyone here has guns that he will never use except as, let's be honest, grown up's toys. There's no more reason to feel defensive about one than the other.

[hexidismal]

Just a little correction on tellner's post. I believe he is referring to swordforum.com (http://swordforum.com/) . swordforums ( with the s ) is just a spam sales site.

[ZeSpectre]

Starfire Swords
http://www.starfireswords.com/web-pages/info_pages/home.php

Website looks crappy 'cause he's a swordsmith not a webgeek <grin>.

Zak makes REAL and FUNCTIONAL swords for re-enactments. He won't put an actual edge on them but you can if you want.

[hso]

http://www.valiantco.com/
http://casiberia.com/casiberia/cas/product_details.asp?id=SH1010 get the Paul Chen Hanewi only
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords.htm
http://kriscutlery.com/
http://www.bugei.com/
http://www.raven-armoury.co.uk/
http://www.therionarms.com/antiques/index.shtml

http://www.mvforge.com/availablecurrent.html:evil:
http://www.dragonflyforge.com/index.php3
http://www.doorcountyforgeworks.com/
http://www.phoenixmetalcreations.com/

http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/index.html

[Soap]

I'll second Angus Trim stuff. :)

As for Starfire, stay away. The balance on them is laughable.

[Jim K]

Only bad in England, where I understand swords and sharp knives are banned without a special permit and a good reason to own one. (Collecting, or an interest in English history, are not good reasons.)

Jim

[geim druth]

I have a Del TIN 5143, http://www.deltin.it/home.htm ; and a Arms and Armor Schloss Erbach, http://www.armor.com/ . Both are excellent weapons!

Do yourself a favor and check out the reviews at myArmory, http://www.myarmoury.com/reviews.html , the people there generally know what they're talking about.

I believe that you should know how to actually use any weapon that you own. tellner mentioned swordforum, the historical swordsmanship forum there is an excellent resource for learning to use your new blade.

[tvick66]

I bought a Viking Sword from Kris Cutlery about twelve years ago, so no I wouldn't consider anything bad about it, just don't allow any films of you acting out a scene from Braveheart to get on YouTube. I collect military weapons and this sword is based on the one dug up in Gotland, so it fits well.

Another plus for swords is that after a hard day of fighting off the cardboard army (or ropes and ham if you use Cold Steel), you really learn the joy and fine art of knife sharpening.

[LarryS.]

This article from "Field and Stream" may give a clue to our love of sharp pointy things.....

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/columnists/article/0,13199,659761,00.html#

[Snowdiver]

Living in Kali it's not bad to want a sword, it's bad to want a full auto. I have a nice Paul Chen Katana, keeps the bears away.

[Sunray]

An officer isn't dressed without his sword. So, no it's not bad. My three say that too. None of which are anything but costume accessories. Well, except maybe for the German blade I bought at a gun show long ago. It's a real blade for an officer's dress sword. The other two(a falchion and a broad sword) are strictly costume parts.
You can buy costume swords or 'battle ready'(read 'real') swords. Prices change accordingly. Real swords cost more. When I was in The Queen's Service, 25 years ago, a 1912 pattern Cavalry Officer's sword was worth about $800Cdn. $1784US($2106Cdn) for a refurbished one, now.
The previously posted sites or a net search for swords will turn up a scary number of places selling both types. 16.3 million sites with the word 'sword' in the url or text on a Yahoo search.

[nwilliams]

I own a fine collection of swords and love having them on my wall. Of course I'm picky about what kind of sword I buy, has to be a functional, has to be historically accurate.

From top to bottom
•Hanwei Rapier
•Angus Trim single hand with Chritian Fletcher fittings (one of only two ever made)
•Italian Del Tin model 5150
•Paul Chen Practical Katana (very common I know but still good)
•Windless Steelcrafts Hand and a Half sword

[nwilliams]

swordforum.com is my second home, used to be my first but I havn't been on there in a while, can't affoard new swords and I've had to sell off a few in the past year.
I've been a member of swordforum for at least seven years and highly suggest becoming a member there if you have an interest in swords (just don't talk about guns there, its not allowed).

As for cold steel swords, the Japaneses swords are very nice but for the price I would suggest going with Paul Chen. Their medieval swords I'm less impressed with, I bought their hand-and-a-half sword and was pretty disappointed with it. The fittings were good and the weight and balance wasn't too bad, but the blade was far from medieval in construction, too sharp and wrong edge taper, like an oversize kitchen knife, definitely not period accurate.

If you want good production blades I would second what some others have suggested, Hanwei and Windless Steelcrafts for sure. I wouldn't highly suggest CAS Iberia, I bought one once and it was horrible, like a lead pipe with poor fit and finish, but some of their models I hear are decent.

check out http://www.bytheswordinc.com/

I would suggest staying away from Rittersteel and Gen2, some people like them but not me. More popular with Renaissance Fair re-enactors.


It all depends on what kind of sword you are looking for and how much you want to spend. If you want something to hang on your wall just about anything will do as long as you like the look of it. If youre going to be doing some cutting then get a blade that will hold up and check with my good friends over at swordforum to get some solid advice on that.

Cheers:)

[RyanM]

Swords are definitely far more advanced than just big knives. At least, the real ones are, as opposed to sword-like objects. Here's a good article on just how a sword is supposed to balance. http://www.thearma.org/spotlight/GTA/motions_and_impacts.htm

The ARMA (formerly The HACA) has lots of great articles. http://www.thearma.org/essays.htm

[tellner]

Hex, you're right. I keep typing in the wrong one.

Cold Steel's Shamshir is a little more money than I can afford right now, but it sure seems nice. Same with the Del Tin rapier.

[JShirley]

Himalayan Imports has a variety of very real, sturdy swords for under $200. Best deals are found on www.BladeForums.com, the HI section.

John

[Cromlech]

Just Remember that Cold Steel swords are generally heavier than the originals, and built as cutters. This is good if you like chopping stuff (just get a damn axe/Kukri/Machete), but if you want a decent-handling sword, you should get something in the vein of an Angus Trim or Albion sword.

A real two handed sword (Claymore etc) should weight 3-4lbs. That Cold Steel 'Great Sword' may be impressive, but it is heavier than it needs to be.

An authentic medieval European sword should balance well, and handle nicely, and not have to be heaved about like in the movies.

[EricTheBarbarian]

The flea market knockoffs are probably not your best bet. I have a flea market sword I got for 6 dollars and it was cool until i got tired of tossing cantaloupes into the air and cutting them in half. If you havent done that I suggest you try it. The other medevil weapons and stuff they sell at the flea market are junk. I thought it would be cool to have one of those maces that you swing around. I tried smashing a few beer bottles with it and it completely destroyed the mace. The flea market weapons seem to be more for hanging on the wall while you play Warcraft on a computer in your parents basement. You know, they dont make those medevil weapons for battle from Braveheart like they used to.

[Cromlech]

I thought it would be cool to have one of those maces that you swing around. I tried smashing a few beer bottles with it and it completely destroyed the mace.

My Medieval Mace was tested upon a crappy old motorbike exhaust system (the back box), made of 4mm thick steel. The flanged points tore straight through it as if it were a Coke can.

[Sniper X]

All cold steel is fine quality, I have a few of their knives, and one of the Cold Steel Katanas, the Practical Katana. It is a fine quality blade and Saya. I also have a very very expensive "real" japanise Katana made by a master...but that is another story all together! Yes, it is worht more than most NEW high end cars...but it was givin to me. If you are lookinf for a Katana, you can find great quality ones for $250.00~ over a million dollars. The $250.00 ones are great for pretty much anything you would want to do with them, and they can be quite beautiful.

[Zero_DgZ]

Nah. You never know when those watermellons are going to get unruly.

I have one 'real' sword - a Paul Chen. If I ever really had to I have confidence that I could use it as a weapon, but I have guns I reach for first. I have a couple of one-piece knockaround swords that would otherwise be machetes but they're sword-shaped. They do what I want them to do: Chopping branches, brush, and wood.

And the occasional watermellon.

[Sniper X]

No rouge watermelon is safe in my neck of the woods!

[Cosmoline]

I'm starting training with a wooden gladuis in prep. for the real thing. At close range they're a lot more lethal than most handguns.

[torpid]

In prep?
So are you getting a real one?

If you do post some pics! :)

[Sniper X]

Cosmo, is that anything like a Boken?

[Don Gwinn]

Kind of a rigged game, asking this bunch a question like that. What did you expect such a motley crew to say? :)

[C. Rabbit]

The folks over at ARMA seem to like Albion swords.

I, too, have an as of yet unfilled afinity for swords. :)

CR

[Cosmoline]

I just ordered a hardwood practice gladuis from these guys:

http://www.woodenswords.com/WMA/gladius.htm

I haven't seen it yet, but in my searches they were the only ones who made a wooden practice gladius that could withstand some smacking. Most were really selling rudes made of plywood. The woodenswords model is supposedly made of hickory. We shall see.

I'm not sure what I'll get ultimately for a steel gladius. The generation2 versions seem to be respected. Other quality steel gladii are *WAY* too expensive.

[carebear]

Cosmo,

angus trim has a "modern" gladius design in his "tactical sword".

Yeah, I know, tactical. But it comes in two blade lengths and looks very nice. Only $360.00

[tellner]

Why design a "modern" "tactical" gladius? The old version is just about as perfect a short sword as was ever devised by the mind of Man. Hundreds of years of R&D, battle-tested against everyone for hundreds of miles around.

[carebear]

First off, I don't see anything about trying to design (verb) a modern anything in my post or on the Atrim site.

A "modern gladius design" means, to me anyway, a sword, of a design-type (noun) commonly called "gladius", made of modern materials and with modern methods. Just using fewer words. :rolleyes:

Basically,a sword that basically looks (to my eye) and handles like (I assume) a gladius, but made of modern stuff.

Would you actually want a gladius made of the steel used for a common soldier's issue weapon (lowest bidder) of the era or a modern steel of uniform quality and modern manufacturing method, with modern QC?

Would you want the same wooden grip and dyes they used back then, or modern grip panels with easier demounting for cleaning / replacement / maintenance?

Modern does not equal shoddy ripoff nor trying to improve upon the nature (as opposed to the structure) of a thing.

[rbmcmjr]

Swords are fun. I have this little guy:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/rbmcmjr/dervishbrothersthree.jpg

5" tanto, 7" daga, 15" espada

All three are blued 1/4" 5160 from Dervish Knives

Rick

[Cosmoline]

angus trim has a "modern" gladius design in his "tactical sword".

They look interesting. There appears to be both the Maintz and the Pompeii blade shapes. But his faq are lacking. Do you know what steel that is?

The big differences appear to be that there's a modern flat handle with significantly more gripping surface and the possibility for a second hand. The originals were one hand affairs for use with a shield, of course.

I see one major problem. The tactical Pompeii has a less pointy tip (I'm sure there's a technical term for that). The Pompeii was primarily for stabbing, so that's a problem. The "leaf" version that looks like an exaggerated Maintz style has a much sharper stabbing tip. I wonder what he was thinking there.

[carebear]

Welcome to Angus Trim swords. Now you can get these modern works of functional art direct from the maker himself. These swords are made to exacting tolerances with the finest materials available. Gus builds these swords using many considerations that others simply do not, such as center of percussion (or cop), distall taper, full tang, tempered 5160 spring steel, leather over cord wrapped hardwood handles, and sharp edges. These swords have received rave reviews from the western martial arts community and continue to enjoy growing popularity as a base for custom swordsmiths.

That's on the home page anyway. You could email him I'm sure.

[Cosmoline]

Thanks, that's what I suspected.

Here's what the Generation2 site says:

All the Gen2 swords (medieval and katanas)and knives are made from virgin 5160 or 1060 carbon steel, not recycled leaf spring steel as with other well known competition. All tangs are a continuation of the blade that runs completely through the handle and connects to the pommel (not the thin rod used in most all swords). Although they are historically correct in appearance, specifications were set to produce a sword that could withstand the riggers of steel to steel and not produce a failure

http://imperialweapons.com/swords/aboutGen2.html

[carebear]

So your take is what? positive or negative?

[Cosmoline]

I haven't decided anything. I'm going to bash things with the wooden one awhile and then see.

[hso]

Two friends of mine that are bladesmiths forged a pair of gladii. They used historically correct construction and then put them to the test. The swords each were able to pop hair and hack through chainmail. They hung a pig carcass for some final tests. A draw stroke with minimal pressure produced an 8 inch deep gash on the pig abdomen. To simulate the protection that might have been worn by one of the Germanic warriors they wrapped the pig in bull hide leather then a fur-out deer skin. The pig was then "attacked" and the pig was cut in half though all the layers of leather/hide with a single blow! They guys never sharpened the blades during any of their tests. With luck we'll all get to see it since there was a crew there "filming" the whole process from forge to pig parts for a pilot they're pitching to the History Channel on historic blades, their making and use.

I've handle the gladii they built and they're well balanced, comfortable and very lively for something that looks so heavy.

[tellner]

T'warn't broke, so it didn't need fixin' :)

[Geno]

Over the past summer, I was looking at swords and the owner was going off about how much more brave it would be to defend one's self with a sword than like, "...them d@amned cowards who carry concealed pistols! H@ll, any d@maned fool can pull a trigger!"

There is an example of the opposite view. If you want one, buy one.

Doc2005

[carebear]

And that makes those "historical replicas" superior to the same sword of the same design the same bladesmiths could have made with modern metallurgy and materials exactly how?

I daresay those same bladesmiths could use a newer steel, whatever modern methods have been developed over time to save time at the forge, and a slightly more "ease of maintenance" and durability grip system and build "modern" versions that will do exactly as well in all aspects of "swordlyness" but with less time and effort and the same quality and level of craftsmanship. Probably lower cost and efficiency in large production quantities as well.

Older isn't necessarily better just because it's older. Newer doesn't necessarily mean some kind of quantitative or qualitative lessening has occured simply because it's newer.

It isn't a matter of "fixin'" anything, I fail to see where that perspective is coming from or being promoted by anyone, it's kind of a straw man.

I understand harkening back to days of yore and all that but it's an affectation when quality is truly not on the line. There's a lot of modern stuff available the Roman military would adopt in a heartbeat if you sent it back in time. They cared more for efficiency than tradition, when given the chance.

[kronckew]

Only bad in England, where I understand swords and sharp knives are banned without a special permit and a good reason to own one. (Collecting, or an interest in English history, are not good reasons.)

Jim

not accurate, OK to own & use on your own property, at re-enactment events, or anywhere else where a legitimate use can be established. no permits required. police frown on you carrying one in public for self defense or otherwise, burden of proof is on you that it was not for offensive purposes. use of one for self defense in the home would probably get you in trouble, but would depend on the circumstances and what sheeple process you. law is unclear & subject to interpretation. only a 3in. or under single edged non-locking folder is allowed for EDC, again, if you defend yourself with it it becomes an 'offensive' weapon. royal mail will cheerfully deliver them from overseas or internal sources.....

some of mine:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/sea2.jpg

my dha's and my mainz gladius (not shown), along with a nice 19th c. pedang (also not shown) are my favourites.
my mexican machete is a bit light, ok for brush, vines but no real point and a bit too flexible.

kukhris are good general purpose weapons/tools and can approach sword-like dimensions

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/kukhris.jpg

and a gratuitous pic of one of my dogs:
custom dane axe and a spatha shown along with my helmet & war door.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/assets/images/Picture_006.jpg

one final note: those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

[Zero_DgZ]

Pen gun: Mightier than the sword.
Sword gun: Mightier than the pen gun...

[JShirley]

What exactly is a sword gun?

[carebear]

Picture a gun sword...

Now, real quick, flip the image.

That there is a sword gun.

:evil:

[Cromlech]

http://www.ruble-enterprises.com/PFsword.htm

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/9717/swordrevolver52ga.jpg

[White Horseradish]

Well, for a sword gun this comes to mind:

http://www.gunpics.net/images/Useless.jpg

[geim druth]

Nice collection Kronckew, especially the longer sword 2nd from the right. Is that a dha?

Regards to everyone at the CSA consulate.

[Zero_DgZ]

http://www.rit.edu/~hll1858/imm/media/virtualroom/gunblade-vero.jpg

Sword gun. Well, gunblade, actually.

(But I was quoting American Dad, really.)

[Cosmoline]

Older isn't necessarily better just because it's older. Newer doesn't necessarily mean some kind of quantitative or qualitative lessening has occured simply because it's newer.

True, but then again there's much to be said for the tried and tested. That tactical Gladius you cited to is a good example. The design reduces the angle of the blade at the stabbing point, which undercuts (ha ha) the main thrust (ha) of that type of blade.

[wolf_from_wv]

If you have no more room on your walls to put another sword, it might be bad...that you bought a house that was too small... :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v151/wolf_from_wv/Jan01_08.jpg

$22 for both at the flea market. Price indicates quality.

[carebear]

Just remember Cosmo, I'm the one who said it looked like a gladius to me. The maker didn't call it that. There's any number of roughly similar bladeshapes out there from numerous cultures. It might be based on one of those or it may indeed just be his own shape.

I just call "shorterish stabby-type swords" gladii because it is what pops into my head. Don't tar the guy with my misnaming.

It would be unjust.

[spyderdude]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/spyderdude18/Swords.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/spyderdude18/IMGP0007.jpg

If having swords is wrong, I don't wanna be right!:D

This was what I collected before I got into firearms.

[owen]

I've been dying for a rapier for a few months now.

[Skofnung]

It is certainly bad for your wallet if you want a good one!
Pick a style you like and get a good one.

rbmcmjr, that espada looks truly wicked!

[JohnnyRockets]

Horge, Where can I get one of those?

[Dr.Rob]

I would rather like to have a Russian Kindjal as well as a proper pirate-y cutlass, as opposed to the costume-y one that hangs with my captains' coat.

http://www.reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=1950 some are made straight like a Qama, or dare I say it? Ilbarsi Knife.

It's when you start jonesing for a SHOVEL that we worry.

http://www.spetsnaz-gru.com/spetsnaz-entrenching-shovel-1.htm

[Speer]

I've got a Cold Steel chisa katana. Heavy bastard, but a friggen chainsaw. Like a machete from hell. Although CQ can be uneven, resulting in some duds escaping into the market, CS and Chen make very good mass produced weapons; that is, good for the money. The higher end stuff, Albion in particular, is for the, er, "serious collector". Truly wonderful pieces, but they'll bite your wallet.

[horge]

JohnnyRockets,

Hi :)
As I PM'ed one of the mods, I got the sword from one of the myriad
roadside bladesmith/vendors in Batangas (towards Lemery/Taal).
Asking price is well inder US$20, and friendly haggling is good manners.
Ambulant vendors from Batangas do often come to Manila, but the
price then has to cover their fare to and from.

The sword is one of several traditional designs, which unfortunately go by
many different names, depending on which region of the Philippines
you ask in (I have to giggle at the mishmash of names applied by
online vendors of Philippine blades, and even by published authors)
In this case, the vendor called it a panagos, or piercer (Tagalog).
The steel, from point to at least about 5 inches, is extremely hard,
and the balance on it makes transition stikking very easy, without
detracting from slashing "weight".

Batangas province is the birthplace of the balisong, and the southwestern
part is rich with bladesmiths. However, since every tenth man seems to be
a blademaker, it can be hard finding the best of the best. Price is no guide
at all. The scabbards/sheaths also tend to be baduy or cheesy, with
a touristy "Philippines" embroidered into a leatherette skin.

The sheaths/scabbards from down in Mindanao are much more handsome,
but the blades are almost invariably POS in terms of metallurgy (see below,
a US$7 small keris from Marawi).

http://i13.tinypic.com/2vn412s.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/2ds04d5.jpg

(I've been told that if you want pretty, go to a Muslim blademaker.
If you want a blade that means business, go talk to the Christians. :D )

Batangas is great for blades, coral reef snorkelling, and trekking. The people
are warm and friendly, and the carabao milk is to die for. I try to visit there
as often as I can.

:)
horge

[Frog48]

I've never had any interest in swords, and like you said, I cant think of any actual use for one nowadays.

But... if you want one, by all means get one. Why? Because you can. :D

[22-rimfire]

I'd love to have a well made sword. I missed the period when you could pick up WWII Japanese swords for cheap. Now good replicas cost as much as those fine old blades did in the 1980's. Many were 500+ year old blades that were picked up during the war.

[Sniper X]

Actually most of the Katanas carried by Japanise officers in the war were "war swords" not made with the same type steel or with the quality anywhere near the musium peices that were used in the Samurai days. Almost all those originals not destroyed in the early days of Japan stayed in the families and are worht from thousands to millions of dollars.

[hso]

SniperX,

To add a little more detail, the vast majority of swords were made at the time of the war. A few, very few, family swords were remounted in field furniture for the sons of sons of samurai to carry. A very few of those were brought back to the U.S. as war trophies. My understanding is that the majority of family swords that were picked up by U.S. troops were picked up during the occupation following the war when the impoverished japanese were broken and willing to sell/trade family treasures to survive.

[sakimoto]

go ahead, buy yourself a sword, you deserve it! I have one that is homemade, and two in the making. all hand made. takes me a long time. but eventually they get done. There is a saying, "if our guns are taken away from us, can we use swords". Just a thought, rots of ruck....saki:D

[kronckew]

Nice collection Kronckew, especially the longer sword 2nd from the right. Is that a dha?

yes, that one was a bring back by a chindit. he'd picked it up from a japanese soldier who no longer needed it. we think the japanese had picked it up from a burmese who no longer needed it. the blade has silver inlays

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/dha2.jpg

the one on the right in my earlier post above is also a dha (burmese) or a darb (thai) but from a more tribal background, may be thai. the rounded 'point' is sharp.

this one is a bit more decorative, but still a battle blade:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/ag_dha3.jpg

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/ag_dha4.jpg

staying with swords, one of the last designs to be issued was the dutch klewang cutlass which originated in the dutch east indies, now indonesia, in the early 20th c. many were captured and re-issued by the japanese when they came by, the americans also aquired them and it may be the last official US bladed weapon to be made and issued for actual use. may be referred to as the M1941. mine is made in solingen and was liberated from a german s-boot in the english channel. they are apparently still being used by the US by NCO's in naval training schools, and by a special unit in indonesia. 'cold steel' liked it so much they've made a copy & also make a longer version. (mine is one of the early non-CS originals tho)

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/dk6.jpg

i saw a moro gunong (also known as a punal) in it's scabbard further up, here's mine out of the scabbard. the phillipines made some of the finest laminated steel weapons of recent centuries as the US found out after we took over from the spanish...


http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/gun1.jpg
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/gunong2.jpg

the wavey gunong (this one is a recent mfg. & is kinda touristy, more a decorator than a user like the one just above it) can be found in heavy sword length and is then normally called a kris (they come fully waved, straight or combinations), and is a heavy slashing variant of the more delicate indonesian keris thrusting weapon. they , along with the barong, have been known to cut a man in half.

the lower dagger is indonesian, which is a whole 'nother collection.....

a good reference on moro weapons: Frederico's Moro Swords (http://home.earthlink.net/~federicomalibago/weaponsmain.html)

a good general reference on ethnic swords and edged weapons: Eth. Reasearch site (http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/)

p.s. - sakimoto, i spent a few weeks in japan back in the late '80's and bought a katana that had been made traditionally by a swordsmith rated as a 'national treasure' (if you have to ask how much it cost, you can't afford it) - i think there were only two smiths so rated at the time. took two weeks to get the permits to export it home, it was probably the finest weapon i'd ever own. unfortunately a burglar admired it at my ex-wifes house in phoenix, az. while i was working in saudi, so it is no longer with me.

[Vairochana]

I have a number of swords ad have used them in reenactment and martial arts, I have even used one in self defense once or twice (ffiw my Talwar which I will pick over a Katana every time).
While I have a small interest in collecting Japanese swords I doubt that I will ever buy a WW2 furnished or vintage one regardless of pedigree.
I know what they were used for: the simple fact of the use they were put to coupled with the fact that a katana traditionally carries its history and karma with it is enough to make me pass

[gotime242]

mine:

http://www.armsofvalour.com/miva/graphics/00000001/bladel.jpg

[carebear]

These guys got swords...

Downtown Mobile To Host Roman Legions
Gulf Coast Exploreum
Tuesday, January 30, 2007


Roman legion re-enactors from throughout the southeast are heading to Mobile, Alabama for the first Roman legion campsite to be presented in the Gulf Coast region. The two-day event, held February 3 and 4, coincides with the Gulf Coast Exploreum hosting A Day in Pompeii, the international exhibition on the ancient Roman city.

Participants, wearing historically correct uniforms, armor and weapons, will bring alive a typical Roman legion field camp immediately adjacent to the Gulf Coast Exploreum. Rusty Myers, aka Justus Longinus of the Legio VI Ferrata Fidelas Constans, based out of Summerville, SC, announced the schedule of activities visitors to the site will experience. These include marching drills and parades, gladiator fights, needlefelt combat, archery, catapult, and other weapons demonstrations. Visitors will be able to mingle with the soldiers and walk through the camp site, which includes leather tents used by soldiers 2000 years ago. A camp smitty, honing swords and other weapons, and a camp kitchen will also be on site. A daily schedule of activities is attached.

The Castra Romana camp, located on Royal Street directly across from the Gulf Coast Exploreum (the old courthouse site), will be open to the public Saturday, February 3rd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, February 4th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Access to the campsite is free to anyone presenting an admission ticket or ticket stub to the Exploreum’s A Day in Pompeii exhibition and to Exploreum Members. Otherwise, admission to tour the camp site, interact with the roman legionnaires and view the demonstration is $3 for adults (18+) and $2 for children ages 2 to 17. Children under 2 are free.

Tickets will be on sale at the Exploreum Box Office or at the Royal street entrance to the campsite. No advance ticket sales. The Exploreum will open its exhibit galleries this Sunday only at 9 a.m., so that visitors to Castra Romana will also be able to enjoy the exhibit A Day in Pompeii.

Roman Legion camp kitchen featured Lisa Blair, a Mobile resident and expert in ancient cuisine, will be making and serving samples of typical Roman camp food in the mock-up of a legion camp kitchen. Included will be samples of common leavened bread – panis romanum. Legion army “cooks” often scooped foam from their fermenting beer supplies and used it as leavening agent for their camp bread. She will also offer samples of pickled onion, used by the legions as a food source and for its medicinal benefits, as well as a lentil stew – lenticula.

Lecture includes ancient military “fashion show” Another highlight of the weekend is the scheduled lecture by Daniel Peterson, an experienced legion re-enactor and a historian with the U.S. Army. Mr. Peterson will be speaking in the auditorium of the Museum of Mobile at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, about the topic entitled “The Remarkable Professional Army of the Roman Empire.”

With photographs and “living historians” wearing faithfully reconstructed armor and equipment, Peterson will recount what we have learned about the Roman military and explain the thousand year evolution of the Roman soldier from the origin of the city state to the fall of the empire.

Peterson is the curator of the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum at Fort Campbell, KY and a military historian and author. He recently presented the exhibition “The Roman Army in War and Peace: An exhibition of Weapons and Armor” at the Pratt Museum. His publication, “The Roman Legions,” has been translated into four languages and sold worldwide (ISBN 1 86126 264 7). He has marched and ridden hundreds of miles across what once was the Roman Empire, reliving the day-to-day experiences of Roman soldiers of nearly 2000 years ago. He is a true “experimental archeologist” who is gaining new insights into the greatest army in western history.

Tickets for the lecture are now on sale at the Exploreum Box Office, 65 Government Street in downtown Mobile. Tickets are $10 per person, 18 years and older, or $5 for children and youths under 18. Exploreum Members: $8 and $4 respectively. For more details about this and other lectures in the Exploreum’s Pompeii Lecture series, check out www.exploreum.net .

Change of plans Because a Mardi Gras parade has recently been added on Saturday afternoon to start at 2:30, visitors should note that crossing Royal Street from the Exploreum to the Castra Romana site will be restricted from about 2:15 to about 3 pm, while the Mardi Gras Parade passes. In addition, because of the parade a second lecture by Mr. Peterson, initially scheduled for 2 p.m., has been cancelled. Mr. Peterson’s only lecture will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m.

For more information about the events check out www.exploreum.net. and click the Pompeii icon or www.pompeiimobile.com and click public programs.



Castra Romana Mobile
Schedule of activities (Subject to change due to weather or other circumstances) Friday, February 2, 2007 (camp site not open to the public)

8 am to 5:30 p.m. Arrival of legion soldiers and set of campsite. Participants and organizers will be available for media interviews – contact Brett Berg 251-208-6852.

6:30 p.m. Legions march in the Conde Cavaliers Mardi Gras Parade

8:00 p.m. – dawn. Campfires, drumming at campsite

Saturday, February 3, 2007

9:00 a.m. Event opens
9:30 a.m. Formation and ration issues
10:00 a.m. Marching drill and formation demonstrations
11:00 a.m. Gladiator fights and demonstrations
12:30 p.m. Weapons demonstrations (scorpio, pila, bowmen, catapults)
1:30 p.m. Needlefelt combat
2:30-3 p.m. Mardi Gras Parade passes by camp site.
3:00 p.m. Formation and pay ceremony
4:00 p.m. Gladiator fights
5:00 p.m. Campsite closes to public The participants will spend the evening at the Exploreum touring the exhibition A Day in Pompeii and enjoying an authentic roman cena or dinner.
Sunday, February 4, 2007

9:00 a.m. Event opens, marching drills
10:00 a.m. Needlefelt combat
11:00 a.m. Gladiator demonstrations
1:00 p.m. Final drill and closing ceremony
2:00 p.m. Event closes, camp take down.
This story can be found at: http://www.wkrg.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WKRG%2FMGArticle%2FKRG_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192932136&path=%21news%21local

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[Whitewolf 508]

Try Angel Sword.

[steveracer]

Big plus one. I spent a little over $4k there a few years ago, and got what is, in my opinion, the nicest Katana short of $20k
Steve

[Schneider]

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/chinese-swords.html

I have the dadao. Hanwei swords feature an unornamental simplicity favored by professionals, 'utility swords' if there ever was one. Other sword collectors disparage their 'mass production' methods, but their products surpass all others within the price-range.