Helpful Articles - SBG.com
Sept 15, 2010 14:04:16 GMT
Post by James Gall on Sept 15, 2010 14:04:16 GMT
- An Introduction to Swords
[Section 1]
[*]1.1 - Do not Buy Swords Online Until You Read This!
In this article, we share with you some very valuable information that will save YOU from wasting your hard earned money on junk swords. Plus you'll also find out how to get the very best deal when you buy swords online,
including:
* How to tell the difference between a real sword and an ornamental “wall-hanger”.
* How much is a fair price to pay for a decent starter sword and who makes the best value for money blades.
* And how to select an honest, reliable vendor where you can buy swords online with confidence and who will deliver good value in a timely and professional manner.
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[*]1.2 - Types of Swords
There are so many different types of Swords that it can be difficult to conclusively classify them into neat groups and categories.
One respected sword scholar, Colonel D.H. Gordon, a British army officer trained in sabre and bayonet fencing pre-WWI suggested that weapons less than 14" long should be classified as daggers, 14-20" long as dirks, those 20-28" as short swords and anything over that length as longswords.
However, below we can grouped together a few basic types of swords not so much by their length but geographic and cultural region as well as their primary function - as well as links to dedicated SBG pages reviewing modern replicas of these broad categories.
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[*]1.3 - Sword Terminology - Made Easy!
This article could have been just another big glossary of sword terminology listed in alphabetical order…
You know, the kind you try to memorize for a while, give up on, and then refer to when confronted with a description like “The blade has a lenticular edge with a POB around 4” from the crossguard” - and it feels they might as well have been talking in Klingon…
Now if you want such a list, the best ones I’ve seen so far are over here at Sword Forum International and also My Armory respectively.
BUT if you just want a quick and dirty walkthrough of the most common ‘need to know’ bits of sword terminology – then this guide is for you!
P.S. This little guide doesn’t even try to tackle any Japanese sword terminology and is based around commonly used terms used to describe a typical European medieval sword.
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[*]1.4 - What to Look for in a 'Real' Battle Ready Sword
Many online sword sellers brandy the terms Battle Ready Sword and Functional Sword around like its going out of fashion. But just because a sword is called “Battle Ready” by a merchant doesn’t necessarily mean that it can take the kind of punishment you might want to dish out to it…
Before you part with your hard earned cash and decide to buy what is being described as a battle ready sword, you'll need to know the answers to four very important questions.
Otherwise, you'll have no way of knowing how to seperate the truly functional swords from the wanna be's (other than taking a sword merchants word on it) - and you could easily wind up with a 'real' lemon...
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[*]1.5 - Authentic Swords – some additional defining qualities...
When it comes to selecting authentic swords, the main factors to consider is the construction of the hilt, the type of steel used and the tempering. But this is just the beginning – the absolute minimum qualities of a ‘real sword’...
In this article, we will be looking at some of these more advanced features that separate the baseline functional swords from the real performers.
You’ll also see here why this topic has not been introduced earlier, because unlike the baseline requirements, this is something of a grey area. There are no easily identifiable characteristics or hard and fast rules of thumb – but many of these seemingly subtle differences are truly what separates the high performance authentic swords from the multitude of cheap wanna be’s ...
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Sword Maintenance
[Section 2]
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[*]2.1 - Navigating The Sword Care Maze...
"Tips and Techniques for Oiling, Cleaning, Sharpening and Caring for your swords!"
Look at a dozen different websites, and you'll get at least twenty four different sword care methods to help keep your new sword in tip top condition.
The reality is that each person in time finds their own personal favorite sword care methods depending on the type of sword, how they use it, the climate they live in and a whole host of other factors.
But here's a few solid basics that can get you started to finding your own way...
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[*]2.2 - How to Make Your Own Sword Cleaning Kit
Making your own basic sword cleaning kit is child’s play, and despite what some websites might try to sell you, shouldn't really cost much more than US$5 tops.
All you really need to create your own basic kit is:
Some Oil
A lint free soft paper towel
A white lint free cloth
A placemat or newspaper
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[*]2.3 - How To Sharpen Swords – A Beginners Guide
What follows are some basic techniques you can use to sharpen swords.
While in this day and age, a sword doesn’t have to be sharp to be classed as “battle ready” or functional, personally I prefer my swords to be sharp.
And if you prefer yours to be sharp too, the following guide will help you transform a blunt sword into a sharp one WITHOUT ruining the geometry or the temper – or losing any fingers in the process...
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[*]2.4 - Sharpening swords the EASY way
When it comes to sharpening swords, everyone finds their own method. But the reality is, the more advanced methods that get the best possible edge take a fair amount of trial and error to perfect.
Fortunately, there is an EASY way of sharpening swords that ANYONE can do, and do it much faster than the other ways – within 40 mins – instead of 2-3 hours using the more traditional ways.
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[*]2.5 - Basic Sword Care and Maintenance 101 - By Paul Southren
In this little e-book, Paul will be guiding you through the basics - from how to store your swords when not in use, how to keep them in tip top condition, some things to avoid at all costs, and some basic "first aid" to restore them to near perfect condition if you scuff them up a little.[/*:m][/list:u]
