A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords

Lonely Wolf Forge
Manufacturers and Vendors

Posts: 6,438

A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 16, 2011 22:05:37 GMT

Quote

Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 16, 2011 22:05:37 GMT

Hey guys i think it would be awesome to come up with a list of red flags and things to watch out for for new sword buyers to help them avoid the ever so famous SLO advertised as fully functional engine block cutting sharp. So ill start off the list with the first things that come to mind.

1. 440 Stainless...if a SWORD is made from 440 stainless, regardless of how indestructible the add states that it is, its Junk.
2. "Bling" Correct me if im wrong anyone, but its been my experience that any sword with that plastic type spray on blingy chrome finish on fittings and saya are no more than a cheap wall hanger only swords.
3.Any swords feature rat tail tangs. Funny enough, one website went as far to brag about the high quality of their rat tail tang :lol:
4. Movie swords, awesome as they look, 99.9% of them are weak, wall hanger only swords that are sometimes advertised as "razor sharp, tree splitting sharp, battle ready" There are exceptions to the rule and some reputable sword companies do produce real fully functional movie swords, Darksword armory Anduril and Ranger Sword for example.

"Steel is My Body...and Fire is My Blood"

SanMarc Senior Forumite Posts: 3,193	A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 16, 2011 22:22:13 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by SanMarc on Apr 16, 2011 22:22:13 GMT This is the whole point of SBG!!!! The old site was better with that info, but this side is getting better.....SanMarc.
	The Road To Succsess Is Coverd By The Backs Of Many, "I" Chose The Hard Way!!!

Lonely Wolf Forge Manufacturers and Vendors Posts: 6,438	A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 16, 2011 22:28:30 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 16, 2011 22:28:30 GMT yeah i just thought a nice organized list would be a good tool to enhance the knowledge of newbies. sometimes it can be difficult sifting through the large volume of threads
	"Steel is My Body...and Fire is My Blood"

SeanF Member Posts: 1,293	A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 16, 2011 23:55:35 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by SeanF on Apr 16, 2011 23:55:35 GMT There are actually very good resources to this effect on the main SBG site. Though that is more of an article it could help to make a bullet point list people could quickly scan.
	Innovation is historically accurate

chrisperoni
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Senior Forumite

Posts: 6,284

A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 17, 2011 4:38:32 GMT

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Post by chrisperoni on Apr 17, 2011 4:38:32 GMT

If anyone asks this- direct them here:
www.sword-buyers-guide.com/buy-s ... nline.html

Scroll down just a bit for the checklist of minimum sword requirements, or link here
(edit- tendrax beat me to the 2nd link so here's yet another good one:
www.sword-buyers-guide.com/battl ... sword.html

...we could probably do this all day... basically the thing to do is use the SBG Main Site and learn

Last Edit: Apr 17, 2011 4:44:39 GMT by Deleted

Begin. To begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this, and thou wilt have finished. -Marcus Aurelius
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Tendrax Member Posts: 703	A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 17, 2011 4:41:03 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Tendrax on Apr 17, 2011 4:41:03 GMT And here is a link that does the scrolling for you: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/buy-s ... ttle-ready

Wes
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Posts: 736

A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 17, 2011 18:05:30 GMT

Quote

Post by Wes on Apr 17, 2011 18:05:30 GMT

Saito wrote
Hey guys i think it would be awesome to come up with a list of red flags and things to watch out for for new sword buyers to help them avoid the ever so famous SLO advertised as fully functional engine block cutting sharp. So ill start off the list with the first things that come to mind.

1. 440 Stainless...if a SWORD is made from 440 stainless, regardless of how indestructible the add states that it is, its Junk.
2. "Bling" Correct me if im wrong anyone, but its been my experience that any sword with that plastic type spray on blingy chrome finish on fittings and saya are no more than a cheap wall hanger only swords.
3.Any swords feature rat tail tangs. Funny enough, one website went as far to brag about the high quality of their rat tail tang :lol:
4. Movie swords, awesome as they look, 99.9% of them are weak, wall hanger only swords that are sometimes advertised as "razor sharp, tree splitting sharp, battle ready" There are exceptions to the rule and some reputable sword companies do produce real fully functional movie swords, Darksword armory Anduril and Ranger Sword for example.

I have to correct you on points 2 & 4 these aren't necessarily damning factors. Some manufacturers go out of their way to make high quality reproductions or interpretations of movie swords. A few examples (Just a few)

filmswords.com/

www.fableblades.com/SwordsFilmAndLiterature.html

www.bronzebyjeffreyjrobinson.com/kingmaker.html

Granted these are generally not cheap, but I do think it's unfair to brush off all movie swords just because they're movie swords

And as far as bling goes:
BAM!

PrincessF by lostsouldancing, on Flickr

-Wes

"That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die."

-H.P. Lovecraft The Call of Cthulhu

Elheru Aran Member Posts: 2,632	A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 17, 2011 19:32:35 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Elheru Aran on Apr 17, 2011 19:32:35 GMT Isn't that PrincessF another FableBlade? Brendan sure does make some purty swords...
	Jeff Faulk of Wooden Fang Blades My Facebook Page Wooden wasters and training swords in every size and type available, made custom for YOU!

Wes Member Posts: 736	A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 17, 2011 19:45:19 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Wes on Apr 17, 2011 19:45:19 GMT That's Princess Elysia, the sword I commissioned from Brenno for a lady friend of mine
	-Wes "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die." -H.P. Lovecraft The Call of Cthulhu

Lonely Wolf Forge
Manufacturers and Vendors

Posts: 6,438

A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 17, 2011 20:21:01 GMT

Quote

Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 17, 2011 20:21:01 GMT

Wes wrote

Saito wrote
Hey guys i think it would be awesome to come up with a list of red flags and things to watch out for for new sword buyers to help them avoid the ever so famous SLO advertised as fully functional engine block cutting sharp. So ill start off the list with the first things that come to mind.

1. 440 Stainless...if a SWORD is made from 440 stainless, regardless of how indestructible the add states that it is, its Junk.
2. "Bling" Correct me if im wrong anyone, but its been my experience that any sword with that plastic type spray on blingy chrome finish on fittings and saya are no more than a cheap wall hanger only swords.
3.Any swords feature rat tail tangs. Funny enough, one website went as far to brag about the high quality of their rat tail tang :lol:
4. Movie swords, awesome as they look, 99.9% of them are weak, wall hanger only swords that are sometimes advertised as "razor sharp, tree splitting sharp, battle ready" There are exceptions to the rule and some reputable sword companies do produce real fully functional movie swords, Darksword armory Anduril and Ranger Sword for example.

I have to correct you on points 2 & 4 these aren't necessarily damning factors. Some manufacturers go out of their way to make high quality reproductions or interpretations of movie swords. A few examples (Just a few)

filmswords.com/

www.fableblades.com/SwordsFilmAndLiterature.html

www.bronzebyjeffreyjrobinson.com/kingmaker.html

Granted these are generally not cheap, but I do think it's unfair to brush off all movie swords just because they're movie swords

And as far as bling goes:
BAM!

PrincessF by lostsouldancing, on Flickr

i shoulda left a quote excluding custom pieces. those are not mass produced SLO's like the united cutlery swords and all those no name random movie swords from china. my bad on that one. But i did put in there that there are SOME good movie swords and i think i cited a few examples. Shoulda been more specific

"Steel is My Body...and Fire is My Blood"

Lonely Wolf Forge Manufacturers and Vendors Posts: 6,438	A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords Apr 17, 2011 20:22:07 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 17, 2011 20:22:07 GMT i see no bling on that sword there, only awesome high quality details i dont think ive seen a fable blade with anything that qualifies as BLING. Lolz. thats such a beautiful sword your lucky to have it
	"Steel is My Body...and Fire is My Blood"

A list of red flags to look for when purchasing swords

Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 16, 2011 22:05:37 GMT

Post by SanMarc on Apr 16, 2011 22:22:13 GMT

Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 16, 2011 22:28:30 GMT

Post by SeanF on Apr 16, 2011 23:55:35 GMT

Post by chrisperoni on Apr 17, 2011 4:38:32 GMT

Post by Tendrax on Apr 17, 2011 4:41:03 GMT

Post by Wes on Apr 17, 2011 18:05:30 GMT

Post by Elheru Aran on Apr 17, 2011 19:32:35 GMT

Post by Wes on Apr 17, 2011 19:45:19 GMT

Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 17, 2011 20:21:01 GMT

Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 17, 2011 20:22:07 GMT

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