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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 12:39:57 GMT
I have always felt myself a stranger and incomplete in the modern world. I could describe it like something very important was missing in me and the people and culture in general. To fight this feeling of emptiness and meaninlessness I wanted to follow my ancestors in some ways to feel a concrete connection with the past times and my roots. As a part of this need I have since a little kid wanted a sword.
Some months ago I looked for a sword that suits me, and when I finally chose it and had it I felt like my dream has came true, like this is (almost) all I need in the domain of historic weapons. I could finally feel myself complete in this very important aspect.
Then I came here.
I had already compared swords while choosing mine but I started to see more swords (in photos and descriptions) and compare them more. I started to compare swords prices, qualitys, outlooks as if I was to buy one, and soon I was seriously planning that.
I also started to realise the diversity of features that even a narrow looking category as "Viking sword" actually consisted, and so my sword couldn't have all these features, but to have all of these features I would need several swords. Also I became familiar with other sword categories and felt would actually like to own swords of these categories too. First I created an idea that I might want a migration era sword, and soon I also I fell in love with some other Viking swords, and then to some medieval swords too.
I also became a little more conscious of swords historic features and realised my sword might be not exactly like the swords were. Even though these features are minor and totally non-essential in my view, they also added some more pressure on me to get a new sword.
I also used more and more time on internet looking information on historic swords and their modern replicas and spent less time with my friends - and less time with the sword I already have.
Finally I found myself thinking I need a whole set of new swords, maybe different sorts of Viking swords and a migration sword (or two), then maybe a knightly sword and a longsword.
And now there is once again something missing inside me. My roots are getting loose and past times fading away while I concentrate to want more material stuff. Will I one day want sabers, katanas, battle axes? Might I then get interested to bows? Then will this interest lead me to be interested in muskets? Then maybe to modern firearms? If this is to happen where I'm going to store all that stuff and will I use all my money to have it?
I am a bit afraid that in the future I am like Tolkiens Gollum or a similar sort of daemon of folk tales who just guards and loves his precious treasures, wants more and more, but is also prisoner to this material stuff.
I think I am getting obsessed to swords. Can you tell if you have this problem? Is there always this danger lurking those who just wants to know what it feels to have a sword in hand, or is it only a problem of weak minded? Then does this prove I am weak minded?
To save myself should I decide that this is enough, no more swords? Or could I allow myself just one sword yet? Or a few? Im afraid if I buy even one more its easier to buy the next one too. Every time I could say to myself that this one is really the last one - like I obviously thought with my first sword.
Would it be a good idea to make a plan that clearly states which swords I am allowed to have and nothing more?
Should I keep my eyes off those types of swords I am not interested in yet to keep it that way?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 12:48:31 GMT
Part of the joy of the collecting, to me, is not having a plan. Just finding one that screams "BUY ME! I'M THAT ONE YOU NEED!" and making it part of your collection is exhilirating. You can make a plan citing your budget constraints and swords you like...or you can just spot the one that you love, regardless of type. Obviously, budget limits us to what we can afford, but in this market there are many swords to fit just about anyone's wallet size. Don't save yourself. Fall flat-faced into your new love!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 13:25:07 GMT
Rauta I think a lot of us are like you. I too went from wanting one sword (in my case, anything funtional and European) to wanting one of each representative type, then one representing each culture and era, and spent hours and hours pouring over websites, reading reviews and hemming and hawing over which sword to get next. At some point, quality became more important, after I handled an Atrim. Thankfully, I am strict about spending, and even at the height of my mania, considered this a bit frivolous and was able to stay my hand most times. So it eventually passed for me, I got sick of looking at swords, without buying them. I dislike strip-clubs for the same reason. I still plan to collect one of everything, but I'm not in a hurry anymore. One or two swords a year will build me a respectable collection over time.
I do find that looking at swords fuels the desire. I don't even open links to high end stuff when people post them, because I know it's not in the cards for me. If you know what you want next, spend your sword ogling time researching that type and all the offerings of it from different companies. Make an informed decision and take your time and you won't have buyers' remorse.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 14:37:18 GMT
I'm in the same boat, though my poison is actually customs made to my own specs, to date I own two and soon I will probably own three. I only buy what appeals to me and being as picky an perfectionist as I am that means I don't see that many swords I really must have, it is about a once a year occurrence and it is generally a fable that grabs me by the short and curlies.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 14:45:48 GMT
Missing link from the past? Check. I know exactly what you're feeling; when you first held a sword, it was like your eyes were opened for the first time...thrilling, exhilirating and hopelessly addictive. My swords are cruel mistresses!
I look at any and every sword out there- while sifting through pages and pages of ads every now and again I find one that I just have to have, and usually at a decent discount. I don't mind having to wait...well, I will wait, let me just say that. It is most painful, the waiting, but it must be done.
If you're not able to control yourself then you shouldn't view anything that you'd regret buying if you happened to have the cash lying around. When it comes to swords, I have no regrets, but I also know how far I can go before the wife has a conniption. That's always good to know!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 15:07:47 GMT
I'm also lucky that a hobby from my past has reared its ugly head so now my attention is split between swords and that.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 15:41:42 GMT
Swords have cut into every other extracurricular activity I have or had...pun intended I guess. I'm still not complaining though...I could think of other, much more expensive hobbies I could get into but the cash outlay for swords is bearable, so I'm good with it. For now.
I do tend to TRY to stay away from sites like Odinblades, Christian Fletcher, even Albion. It is rare that I win that battle.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 16:58:54 GMT
You have the dreaded SAS virus (Sword Aquisition Syndrome) there is no cure (well maybe when your head leaves your body). I started a long time ago with cheap wall hangers then graduated to windlass then onto Atrim and then got serious with Jody Samson and Michael Rader.Now money is very tight again so I'm looking at less expensive makers but still nice shiney,pointy and glad to have all the choices available out there now.As long as I'm happy with what I buy I'm good but my SAS will never go away.
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on Dec 4, 2009 18:38:44 GMT
The main concern about whether or not your obsession has become dangerous, is whether or not your health suffers because of it: are you missing work/ school, eating poorly or missing meals to afford your next blade, cutting off social contacts, etc. As long as you have your priorities straight, your obsession could probably be labeled as a harmless fascination . Now, if you find yourself homeless on the street, a wreck of a person who's living solely to get your next sword fix? Maybe you should seek help . --Edward
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 18:40:55 GMT
Nice to know Im not alone I can imagine that if I become an obsessed collector I will be not happy, because then something is always missing. Is collecting generally happy hobby anyway? Is it happy to lack some matter all the time? I want to reach a point in where I'm finally happy with the domain of historic weapons and stop collecting after that. I dont mean to stop loving and using my swords or other objects I might have but stopping obsession to have more. If I always dream of more historic weapons there is no point of complete satisfaction. There must be some rational level or limit after which I dont need more swords. I must force that level somewhere if the level doesnt appear by itself. For some the level is just watching movies, reading tales or visiting museums, and then they have enough "experience" of swords. For me that was not enough, I had to buy one. Some are happy with just one sword, but think I need a few more. And maybe after that still a few more. It cant be so that I need to build a ballista and throw containers of greek fire on enemy fleet to feel myself complete. I hope this made some sense
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Post by brotherbanzai on Dec 4, 2009 18:58:12 GMT
I look at it like any other interest. Some people are into cars, bikes, boats, cloths, shoes, sports, whatever. I used to switch cars and motorcycles every couple years in search of the "perfect" on for me. Then got into customizing them to make them more suitable to what I wanted. As long as you have other things going on in your life, your hobby won't swell into an obsession.
Buy several swords on the lower end of the price scale while you find out what you like. When you find something you like more or your tastes change, sell some of the older ones. Don't try to collect one of everything, just what you like the most at any one time. Let them go when you are done with them. You can take pictures of yourself with them while you have them as a personal record. Don't fret over trying to make all your money back when you sell them, just view it as the cost of a hobby you enjoy. As time goes on, you'll have a better understanding of what really suits you and then you can start to get some higher end swords or even custom made pieces.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 20:23:08 GMT
Banzai, excellently put.
You know, m28, I wonder if there's a hoarder out there for that show, Hoarders, who has a house filled with nothing but swords. What we'd see as a dream, others would view as a nightmare, probably.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 21:02:27 GMT
Banzai, excellently put. You know, m28, I wonder if there's a hoarder out there for that show, Hoarders, who has a house filled with nothing but swords. What we'd see as a dream, others would view as a nightmare, probably. Yes... that would be scary. Though I do aspire to own more swords (I have two already and one on its way) I do not want to have too many of them. I have to say, unless you are strictly a collector and you don't care about the deeper connection with swords, you have to buy only the ones that call you, that connect with you. The wrong way (in my eyes, I could be wrong) to collect swords is to buy a sword of each type (i.e.: a katana, a saber, a two hander, a falchion, and so on and so forth), that makes the swords just another item on the lists. The right way is to have many different ones, but with the same style overall. So far, I only have medieval 1 and 1 1/2 handers, I bought a Henry V sword from Gen 2 through Jason and I was lucky in a sense that it came damaged, because it would not have fit my personality (way too small in my opinion, though an accurate replica). I would just not feel right with a saber or a katana or even a later period Euro sword, even though there is some beautiful ones out there (Gen 2 Henry V) who scream "Buy me!"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 21:07:18 GMT
Well, they all scream that at me, in differing levels of course. Some only whisper it, but that whisper can be most insistent.
Then there are others, like that 2handed Knight that are practically ROARING at me to buy them but I just keep it moving. If I did only what the voices in my head told me to do...well, I really don't know where I'd be, actually. Not here, I'm sure. lol
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Dom T.
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Post by Dom T. on Dec 4, 2009 21:12:48 GMT
Oh lord, that house full of swords would definitely be a dream to me.
Yo rauta, just the fact that you are questioning whether you have an obsession or not is a good sign, right? If you didn't realize it at all, then you'd be screwed! It's like a madman. If he's crazy and doesn't think he is, then he's not gonna try and do the 'right thing' or whatever. If he's crazy but isn't quite sure whether he is or not, then he at least has a chance to try and stop himself, right? Actually, now I'm kind of confused... Er, bad analogy I guess. Anyways, you're fine! Relax! Enjoy life, smell the roses or something! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 21:24:33 GMT
I like to sniff the blades...if I can't smell the oils on'm, its time for another wipedown. What? It beats watering plants!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 21:26:43 GMT
I do want to own, at least for a time, one of each general type to get a better feeling for the differences, andvantages, and disadvantages with each type of sword. That's a very long-term goal though, for now I'm on pretty much a one-a-year limit and only getting things that "call to me." If I keep to a similar schedule and occasionaly sell ones that I've lost interest in, I don't expect that I'll ever end up with too many. That and the fact that there's no such thing as too many swords (or even enough swords, for that matter).
But if any of you feel like you're getting too obsessed, I'd be more than glad to help you out by taking some of those swords off of your hands.
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Dom T.
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Post by Dom T. on Dec 4, 2009 21:33:58 GMT
... Oddly enough, I like sniffing my blades as well....
Going to the Albion and those other high end sites are dangerous though. Oh. My. Gawd. The Albion Discerner is SO hawt! Ooooh, and the Doge too. Those two are my dream swords... What was I saying? Oh. Yeah. Avoid those websites at all costs. It's like going by the Island of the Sirens or something.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2009 21:45:30 GMT
Don...you been here yet? www.odinblades.com*cackles evilly* What? At least now I won't be alone! lol
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Dom T.
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Post by Dom T. on Dec 4, 2009 21:48:57 GMT
Oh lord... You, sir, are an evil evil man.
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