I'm trying to figure out the best way to hang my first sword on the wall. I think I want to hang it horizontally, or maybe diagonally? One thing I am wondering is that a lot of the sword hangers appear to be made from metal,and it seems that resting a metal blade on a metal hanger would be bad for the edge. Do you put some type of buffer between the sword and the hanger or am I really over thinking this?

i keep mine suspended vertically, using plastic suspension hooks and a loop of string. No metal-on-metal contact, practically invisible and easy to take down and put back up again.

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For a sharp blade, it is always a good idea to cushion the edges a bit.

With my swords I've some vertically and some horizontally, forming patterns.

I am thinking of a similar, but different problem right now. How to use near invisible wall hangers and secure the swords a bit more to the wall. In case of small kids and the like ...

I have mine on a plaque on the wall. It's not the easiest way to do it but I think it looks really nice. I made the shield-shaped plaques in the attached picture, but the daggers on the bottom are backed by a laminated shelf from the hardware store, as are most of my axes and hammers.

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All of mine are in a rack that I built - 1"x2" oak slats, screwed to the wall studs, WIDE coat hooks set to maintain level.

Each sword is IN it's poplar cored scabbard: protected with CLP, I have seen no rust in a good five years.

This method allows me to hang 12 swords & make use of the total height of the room. I'm about to build a second rack :).

I usually just leave mine embedded in the wall/tree/pallisade with the Frenchman still on it.

loops of deep sea fishing leader. It's very thin steel cable with a vinyl covering. Very very thin. The same place that sells the leader also sells metal crimpable fasteners, so I can make the loops as large or small as I like. I've started using the same material for picture hanging, too. Easy to get very accurate lengths. Once the loop is made that fits around the blade, I hang on the wall with regular picture hangers. Works great and the swords just float there on the wall.

I use curtain hooks. With a blade they are almost invisible. There is no need to use padding, the blade is just resting, padding can damage the edge more by holding moisture. I have been collecting and using my blades for a very long time.

you can see what I have done here
http://abnsmith.deviantart.com/gallery/

As an alternative to hanging them on the wall, I keep mine in a cast iron umbrella stand. It has the additional advantage of giving me something to trip over.

Having scabbards for them is pretty much essential with such an arrangement, though.


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Love the umbrella stand. I use a modern cane stand for some of my slim straight stuff.

Don't mind the tomato soup paint, it is offset with kind of other pastel turquoise walls and a fire engine red door ;) (hey, I just live there). 14 old swords in a sideways use of some Shaker pegs. No space here but a pile in the corner next to me, the eight hole stand and a mess o stuff on a deep closet shelf (more leaned against corners in there). The compact shaker peg routine let me find a space for a favored guitar. I was just happy to find a wall for my eagles and some other stuff.

I used to just use sheet rock screws by themselves and also cruciforms on loops of cord. Worked well for many years

Cheers

GC

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Here's the latest incarnation of my study.

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I normally mount the pieces with simple cups hooks of varying sizes. A couple of the longswords use wall plaques, such as the Albion Svante which required a handmade mounting plaque due to its guard.

Thanks. It's actually an L-shaped room, with the library around the corner. No swords in there though, just a Chaise, a roll top desk with my computer and a ton of books. :D

A "Cup Hook".
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Alas, in earthquake prone California I use various types & sizes of floor stands for my collection. I do have some mounted on table stands or simply placed across ornate old chests.

Shakin' all over.

Jon

I prefer to hang my swords by the cross-hilts. Nothing touches the blade, and the balance point is far below the mounting point, so it's not going to roll off of the wall.
I live in an apartment, and don't want to patch-up 400 holes in the walls when I move, so I just mounted a 1x6" on the wall supported by two 50 lb. wall anchors. The 1x6 board is painted the same color as the wall so the swords look more like they are hovering. Similar to the cup-hooks, I use inobtrusive "L"-hooks. 2 per sword.

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L-hooks:
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-Terry

I'm a bit envious of these displays, unfortunately in Victoria, Australia, we have to keep swords under lock and key. The only way I understand I can display my swords would be in a custom cabinet with a least 5mm glass and key lockable ;(

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Here was mine. Swords all sold, rack remains.

I'm really loving some of these ideas and tips. I thought the woven swords that David Lewis Smith did was very cool as well. Clearly I need more swords ;)