What does your spouse/significant other think about swords?

Well, given our recently increased income level, I take my sword collection in extreme moderation. In order to avoid being obsessive and remain respectful, we have an unspoken, sell one to get one rule. My wife, who is greatly understanding and tolerant of me, does not see swords being a sound financial investment or other than a boy toy hobby, much like my firearms or Harley-Davidson habits. Out of respect for her and my family, I keep my collection at a maximum of 10 swords only. If I find something that I want, I must agree to sell one to get another. In some cases, I can cheat the system and sell 2-3 to fund a larger purchase, which opens up another 1-2 spaces to fill. If there is a sale, such as a MRL tent, Windlass closeout, H/Ts for $100 sale, $150 Albion in the classifieds: these small purchases fall under the wire and I can splurge a little bit for my customization/leather working hobby without complaint. It becomes a largely self-sustaining addiction, in that I can do my own cutler work and make a profit on some things to fully fund other purchases. :lol:

We discuss all purchases, large or small, in any case. Even now that I make considerably more income than I did last year, it's still discussed. That's just a matter of being respectful.

Over the top expendatures on swords are NOT OK in my household. A hobby is one thing, but if a Du Sith or Svante were to show up at the house, I'd be decapitated with it. We have agreed that the limit on any single sword's value should not exceed the price of an average Albion, or around $1000. She sees this as being fair, and I agree with her.

It works out and she never gives me grief, but our finances are well taken care of when I delve into collecting ANYTHING. When they were not well off, I bought nothing for myself - so I want to be clear that before any collecting at all has been considered, the money was there for the expenses. If money was tight, then I had enough respect and responsibility to make sure the bills were paid before investing in something that was not needed. Mortgage, bills, cars, insurance, vacation, home upkeep, and other odds and ends always take priority in our house - so swords are never an argument for us.

To each their own, but I don't agree with a collecting habit that is a heavy burden on other family members - I have seen this a time or two over the years with various friends. I would never ask a family member to assist me funding a sword purchase if I did not have the money myself. I think in the end, its all about respect for your significant other and your family. If you are spending money you don't have to fund a habit, then it becomes your families burden. That, is morally and ethically unacceptable in my opinion.

As to my wife's opinions about swords, she is respectfully indifferent to the hobby in general and without a heavily biased opinion. She has picked up a little knowledge here and there - she can definately tell a cheaply-made blade from an expensive one. That is a woman's ability :lol: . She knows the different between an Albion and a Windlass. She knows a few maker's marks, where various manufacturers are made at, a tad of sword history, a little of the Typology, and the general value of something in the collection. She's even bought me a couple blades over the years, but I put a stop to this, because then it morally obliged me to keep her gift-swords even if my taste changed. So now, we keep that area all on my side of the fence.

We are in a comfortable place as far as my swords go, which is all I could really ask. Will she ever love swords as I do? No. That is my hobby, not hers. As long as our family's needs come first, she does not really care!

im afraid im a lot more sneaky when it comes to sword purchases :oops: i tend to buy them , then just before they arrive i tend to broach the subject (and i usually state a lower price than i actually pay) :lol:

My wife doesn't particularly care for swords or understand why I collect them. She'd prefer that I spent the money on something else. But as long as I don't go to crazy, she lets it pass. I am careful to not spend more on my collection than I can afford.

Whoa. No wonder you are trouble. I have only one wife.

my wife is slowly coming along in the support arena... she is moderately against any/all violence to begin with, but being an artist, she is starting to see the beauty as well as the weapon aspect. We also have an understanding that "life" stuff comes first. Having bought our home three years ago, I look at "us" purchases first, swords second. Not a FUN thing to do always, but more important and better for ME long term.

I like the idea above about incorporating the tea cups, etc into a display. We have such items from our honeymoon and I might want to incorporate these into something...

Good thread.

AoH

My wife is very understanding and supportive of my sword-love, even though she doesn't share it. She actually likes it when I display them.

She said to me the other day that she loves to collect things that come in different colors. I told her about the SBG custom katanas that you can get in all different colors. She didn't bite.

well said mrs silvermoon :lol:

Decoration-wise, my better half has the downstairs (no swords there), I have the upstairs- except inside the smaller bedrooms, of course. Thus I have the master BR to hang my collection. A dozen Japanese, couple of Euros (looking to expand there) and I'll be hitting the saturation point for this room, very soon. Selling some pieces will definitely happen.

Finance-wise, swords are a luxury that can only be indulged in if extra funds are there to support it. All other priorities come first, naturally. Beats cocaine all to hell.

booya

What does MY spouse think of swords?

Well...

She bought me this !!