Over the several years I have been involved in sword collecting, I realize now that over time, tastes evolve and collections rarely remain static. This can be attributed to many factors but the one that has struck me the most was my "search" for a favourite sword type.

I'm hoping that the more seasoned collectors out there can chime in on some of the lessons learned over the years...

What I have personally learned (some points) is the following...

don't try and fill the sword void by being seduced by less expensive brands or variety.

maybe not everyone has felt this way, but if you have been an avid collector of all things celtic or roman or type XIV & XIIa, that single katana becomes more and more out of place.

swords as a general rule, particularly production, are not investments.

swords are more fun if you actual use them, or to fully appreciate them, learn proper training!

for some, buy the most expensive sword you can afford. sometimes 4 high quality pieces in the category you focus on can outweigh several lesser swords in various categories. The "focussed quality" vs "varied quantity" debate, your personal experiences may differ.

I truly believe that all sword collectors at one point or another, try to design their "personal" sword.

Custom swords are indeed a precarious road, but the rewards are often the greatest.

There will be a time when you finally obtain the sword you have lusted for a long while, and than turn around and put it away to be handled once in a while.

Chances are, you may get ripped off at least once. Let the community know so that others may be spared.

If a sword isn't for you, and you eventually sell it. Try hard and remember not to repeat the same mistake. Some people struggle to find their focus. They will buy swords but never really connect. Yes, you may have many high quality, historically accurate pieces, but perhaps it is the fantasy focus that may catch your attention the most. Don't FORCE yourself to like a certain type.

Don't go into debt to populate your collection. When you find out how to follow this lesson successfully, please email me and tell me how.


Just my 3 cents Cdn.

While I agree with this thread in general I disagree about avoiding cheap pieces at least until you have found your focus. So long as they are still functionally weapons(Windless, Del Tin, or Hanwei that I have experience with on the low end) one will go through a greater variety of weapons early in their hobby laying the foundation to focus their interests and the context of their use. The cheap pieces are also far more likely to be used resulting in a swordsman/collector better able to determine what he truly wants.

I believe Patrick and many others have said the same in previous posts but it seems worth restating.

As one whose collection consists entirely of the "cheap" production pieces, I have to agree with Allan. The sad truth; my most expensive/highest quality pieces are Windlass. BUT, this has allowed me to try different sword types, and features. True, my interests in sword collecting are largely driven by my interest in specific historical individuals and conflicts, but I feel that the experiences offered by my cheap swords are invaluable. I would hate to have spent the money for a custom Oakeshott XVa (I once thought that was my ideal sword type), to discover that XVa's are not everything I once thought.

I don't disagree with the original statement, but I think I would do it the same way, if I had it to over again.

-Grey

i welcome all experiences and should have stated that the above were my own opinions.

nothing wrong with what you like, whether it is a type or manufacturer, one point i tried to make is find out what makes you happy and stick with it.

Hmm cost vs value,
Probably a whole thread on it's own,
As to the preffered types,
I found that following advice i'd read here and elswhere of actually getting out there to different shows and meets that you get to handle/look over alot more,
A fine example being,
I went to a large fair specifically looking for one or two Del tin models,
The printed info i had read all looked good,
But on handling said models,they just didnt do anything for me,
But,the one or two of the line i had dismissed out of hand for one reason or another, left a far more positive impression,
so much so i was dissapointed to find out the ones i liked were pre order to be collected,
and then the ten month order time mentioned :cry:

As to the full custom route,
Yes they can be expensive, but not always,
I've seen what alot would consider to be higher end production priced at more than a commisioned custom,
I sometimes wonder if people are scared off by the custom market before asking for a price,
And that would be before you even consider pre-owned,
But thats just my own thoughts, ;)

Patrick,
Just because i like it,
That to me is the most important reason of all :)

I think what Patrick said about education should be first and foremost when it comes to collecting swords or just about anything. Education is the key, if you don't know what your buying ,then your just throwing your money in the street.
But this is a lesson that I think most of us learn the hard way. So don't be afraid to do a little research, or ask questions
regardless of price category.

And, if they DO want to spend more than that, it's pretty much because they know what they want?

My sword collection is puny. Some antique sabres, a few replica sabres, and three production blades. Those blades aren't high-end, but they're good, and fit my purposes, and their maker will likely be my go-to man for sabres, given how shabbily I've been treated by the competition. Knowing who you don't want to do business with is almost as important as knowing with whom you DO.

But as part of knowing what you want, and I think this generalizes to any arms collection... it makes a heck of a difference if you can get access to a custom smith, and it's really worth the effort once you find a guy willing to trust that you have a clue what you're talking about, even if it goes against what he's accustomed to... in my case, the vast majority of what I have isn't swords, but rather axes, maces, spear heads, arrowheads, military picks, etcetera. Not one of which can be purchased on the production market. In each case, as a corollary to the custom-vs-production, if you know what you want, a smith willing to let you make an ass of yourself if you're wrong is a WONDERFUL thing...

For me, sword collecting is all about enjoyment and learning. Being able to completely relax with something I enjoy doing. However, a good friend once told me something that I could not deny. He said, "sword collecting is a sickness, no matter how many weapons you own, or have owned, you can still get that overwhelming desire for a spectacular sword that has you going for your wallet." If I could change anything, I would practice just a bit of moderation.

This has been an interesting thread; there is no real right answer. Collecting to some means owning three $2000.00 swords while others desire seven $250.00 swords. It all comes down to what makes you happy, my goal is to start antiquing and rewrapping the grips on some lower end functional weapons, while I am slowly saving up for a high end sword to be the center piece of my collection. That’s what is working for me.

My only advice would be too actually hold the sword before buying or ordering, even if it’s a similar style, just to make sure you feel the connection with the sword style. Case in point: I bought a two handed claymore before ever seeing one in person, once I held it I knew this was not for me also I used to think basket hilts looked clumsy and heavy until I held one. Silly me.

I bought a custom sword now my standards are too costly...anyone else notice this in there collecting? I even sold all my lower end stuff :cry:

Hi, I'm new and I agree with everything the thread originator stated, but would like to add my own 2 cents.

I got a 'starter set' with fencing mask, gloves, undergarment and (rapier) sword for about $300. Yeah, I went for economics- "R9 Rapier" really was the best looking sword on the website anway, imho. At first I was just freakin' happy with my sword; it was my first sword, how could I not love it like a baby? I practiced even more than I had before, I showed it around, I used it to change the channels on the T.V. instead of the remote (it's safety tipped, don't worry, my T.V. is just fine). Long winded post short, my sword was, to me, the bestest, greatest and coolest sword in the whole darn gosh world.

After awhile though, I begin to become somewhat disappointed with it's performance. The blade would twist during sparring, the balance, never did change, but it begain to feel really heavy and unbalanced compared to other peoples' swords. Worst of all, and this gets my goat every single freakin' bloody time, the blade would not align with the handle upon retightening. Inferior workmanship was the culprit. Guard pieces welded at angles not completely adjacent, resulting in a poor fit in areas; a guard hole that was too big, resulting in the freakin' bloody blade twisting out of alignment; a tang that was somewhat "not uniform", resulting in rubbing and general unsnug fitting in places, and those were just the highlights. Oh, how I cursed and swore then.

I still loved my sword though. So the day after Christmas (or so), I took some Christmas Money to Sears and bought a classy filing kit. Ironically, I hurt my hand on the hand guard filing. That took care of the "not uniform" tang. Then I went to 'visit' a friend who had a braiser (that welding torch thingie) and spent the whole night filling up the oversized hole. My friend's Dad also happened to have a polishing wheel, so I managed to even out some of the 'angular'ly challenged' parts of my hand guard and tang for a much better fit. SInce then, I have got a custom handle carved, for a better grip; the blade shifted down into the guard more, for a balance point that I like better, and best of all, I cut my own leather for spacers, for a more snugly fitting blade that doesn't freakin' blood twist when I tighten the pommel.

I love my sword all over again. My sword is, again, to me, the bestest, greatest and coolest sword in the whole darn gosh world. I love it to pieces, again. I probably won't be selling this sword. It means too much to me. It may have began life as a cheap 'beginner' sword, but with all the time I've spent working on it, it has become a truly custom sword; there is no other like it in the world. I took it, I modified it, and it's now really just "me". I guess some other swords cannot be worked on, and I'm sorry about that, but all I'm trying to say is that sometimes, the reward of owning a sword is working on it.

Thank you for your time and have a nice day. :)

E.

hi dave. about that debt thing, i started an ebay store to support my sword addiction. thats about the only way i'll stay out of debt with this bro!! and as for the quality verses quantity, i'd go with quality. i'd much rather have my 5 albions then 10 windless. but thats just my opionin, and you know what opionins are like. :lol: and definitely anyone interseted in medieval should at some point get a little training. you get a whole new respect for the sword that your holding when you know how to properly use it to some extent.