. . . . in the modern world, and their importance.

Just why are swords important to us, as individuals, groups, or cultures?
What is it that draws us to swords, distinct from other weapons?
Is it their symbolism, their functions, or both?

What first drew us to the sword, as an important part of our lives? Was it history, art, martial art . . . . . ?
I am just looking to stimulate some discussion here on why swords, in particular, are important to us, as collectors. practitioners, and aficionados of all types.
Any and all responses are welcomed and encouraged . . . . .

Less expensive and harmful than most approaches to the traditional midlife crisis.

Some of this has been covered here: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=5407

To address this in as serious a tone I can muster.

I was a soldier, I am a student of the martial arts. I have studied and investigated many martial arts, they were all interesting, in depth and honest. Yet they did not seem to resonate with me. I felt like I was borrowing somebody else's culture.

Then I discovered that Western Martial Arts were being revived. I looked into it, did a little bit of it and was hooked. I had found what I had been searching for. I began to study in earnest and came to a simple conclussion. I needed a sword. Not just a waster or a fechterspeil schwerte, but a sword, something a gentleman of the renaissance would use.

BTW my answer was serious... :wtf:

I could give you Freud's answer to your question but since I don't agree with much that he said and the fact that it would be inapropriate :eek:

For me it is that a sword represents power, authority and justice as well as being analogous to the word of God.

Alex

Well...I've always been fascinated by swords :D I remember playing with cardboard tubes, then sticks and plastic swords with friends and always wanting to know how to really use them. As i grew into my teens, they kinda got pushed by the wayside...I thought nobody uses them anymore and I didn't think anyone made real swords. I'd seen wallhangers at "sword stores" but never really took much interest in them---they just didn't feel right. Then my wife took me to a renn faire about 4 years ago, and I drooled over the Angel sword booth....I was re-hooked! I bought one the next time we went, and from there learned more and more and now I finally have a small collection, one of Christian Tobler's books and Guy Windsor's "Swordsmans Companion" and am finally starting to be a kid again! (only a grown-up kid :lol: ) Sometimes my wife sorta wishes she didn't bring me to that faire cuz now the only thing I buy myself are swords or equipment. Now if I could only find or start a study group I would be in 'sword student bliss' :lol: I guess I just sorta think that guns are impersonal and too "easy" as it were...I believe in honor, and defending yourself with a sword face-to-face with your opponent seems more honorable than a Hollywood shootout. nonetheless, if a thug broke into my home and threatened my family I wouldn't think twice about a firearm for protection...I may romanticize, but I ain't stupid.