Hello everyone,

Last year I ordered both an Armour Class claidheamh mor and an AT1591 from Angus Trim. Now (I hope) the wait should not be too long before one of those pretty, shinny big toys get completed and finally becomes mine... :D

The problem I'm having is : how in the nine hell am I going to carry those giant swords around town from the salle to my apartment and vice-versa ? My CAS/Iberia katana bag (large version) certainly won't be able to contain those... Anyone knows a bag maker that makes a bag long and sturdy enough to carry a two-hander ?

All help appreciated. :)

Sew yourself a simple sword bag.
One chunk of velvet or canvas. A simple "L" shaped stitch and a cord to tie over the folded over top excess. Take you a whole 20 min-hour depending on your desire and skill.
Then its just a bulky sack on your shoulder.

I've found that ski bags work pretty well for Zweihanders. Plenty of room and easy to carry.

Oh, large hockey bad might also work ;)

I found hockey bags weren't long enough for bastard swords and longer and my ski bag can't accommodate the width of the cross-guard of a couple of my swords. However, I did find that snowboard bags are long and wide enough.

I just ordered my first sword, and I thought of this issue. My sword is the Albion Squire line Bastard, and Albion sells what appears to be rifle hard cases to carry their swords in, so I orderd one to go with it. Jean has an excellent point as far as being aware of the area you are carrying the sword in. Here in hyper-sensative Los Angeles, the "swat team response" is a very real possibility. I've always been cautious with putting my cased long guns in my vehicle. What I usually do is to back the car into the garage, and then store them in the vehicle as quickly as possible so as not to "alarm" the neighbors. I think it pays to be discrete.

Doug

It probably goes without saying, but I would take the time to check the state/local statutes around the issue. Also if you happen to know anyone on the local constabulary, ask them for suggestions/recommendations on how to avoid any difficulties should you come in contact with the law. Just my 2 cents :)

It never hurts to be up front and honest with a local law enforcement guy. Its not like jhe's gonna forget a guy asking him about the legality of a sword+rifle case. Find an office that is reasonable and freindly and be sure to get his card and toss it in the case. If there is a problem refer to the card and see if it helps.

When I shipped my Del tin Two hander, I guess the UPS guy thought it was a "lawn cross". lol, "uh... sure......"

Were I live the regulations are a bit blurry concerning the transportation of swords. I think the law allows it has long as it is "for a reasonable purpose". I guess bringing some documentation and the association t-shirt with me wouldn't hurt.

I bought myself a riffle case some time ago, but I found that the way people looked at me while I was carrying my longsword in it made me felt a bit uneasy. I suppose that the beard and black leather coat didn't helped either... Well, now after the Kimveer Gill incident (someone entered a school with a riffle and shot two students) I think I won't even dare carrying a riffle case any more.

I think I will check for ski bags (maybe a large ski bag allowing the storage of more than one pair ?) or, as Alex suggested, try to make one myself.

Thanks. :D

Oh, this

[ Linked Image ]

is me riding to town this EasterSunday morning.
Sometimes I carry replica pistols and/or a sidesword.
NO WAY anybody would consider me to be a potential terrorist threat :p

Peter

Actually, while the rifle case draws a bit of attention, the customs people KNOW how they are supposed to handle those.
Nothing is worse than a confused law enforcer. Most of the time, they'll say no just in case.

In my experience, being straight forward and honest does the trick, as long as you look like you know who you are what you are doing.

If all else fails, a couple of garbage bags and duct tape should work as well.

My favorite is a friend of mine from Oslo, who carries his sword and buckler in a banjo case...

I would say a rifle case would be your best way to go unless you wanted to make something yourself.

If you have the coin you could get a case made. Someone like these guys

www.rockhardcases.com

www.hardcase.co.nz

If you get one of these in bright orange no would think you had something to hide :D
http://www.militarycases.com/StormCases.html

I wouldn't recommend any of these companys without trying them myself but they might be a way to go. I'm sure there are more options out there.

I wonder about a fishing rod case? any thoughts anyone

If you live in the US, even a major metropolitain are like NYC, you have no need to concern yourself with the legality of carying a sword in a bag. Carying a sword openly, as in not in a bag, however, can lead to trouble, but not usually..

One of NYHFA's members is a NYC police officer and he routinely carries his scabbarded sword in his hand to and from his house. He has walked past police cars, police stations, officers on foot patrol, and god knows what else. Alhtough he is not risking arrest (as he is a cop), the fact that he is a cop is not written on his forehead. No one has ever bothered him in any way. Of course he does not dress in gangster clothing and does not walk aroudn accompanied by a group of thugs all carying swords. Such behavior will likely get you shot.

Swords, in the US, are not considered weapons, unless you are brandishing one about madly, and then it does not matter if it is a sword, a hockey club, magic wand, etc.

We practice outside, and the only time the police stop by is when one of them is curious about what we do, usually being a martial artist himself.

Are there wacky towns/cities in the US that will arrest you on sight for walking around with a sword in a bag? Maybe. I don't know. But if NYC is not one of them, I can't imagine such a place.

Maybe one day when I'll be richer I'll order one of those cool cases from www.rockhardcases.com. Yeah, a big bright one with a few beer stickers on it would be cool. :lol:

Michael, the main reason while I can't just carry a naked blade on my shoulder like a landsknecht (although I would like to ;)) is because I use public transportation and don't want to risk an accident. It's not just a question of concealment... I also want to avoid impaling someone.

Swordforum has a legal issues forum which may be better at directly addressing any legality questions.

For instance, my understanding is that in Massachusetts (where I live) any sword is illegal; but you're unlikely to get busted for it if you don't do anything stupid.