15 Questions About Your Collection - answer for fun

This is illegal for someone with your collection.

Got that right. You may well have a larger inventory than KOA...

1) Your #1 favorite sword in your collection is?
 
I like my Hanwei Bamboo Mat that has been remounted. 

2) The most durable/unbreakable sword in your collection is?

Thats a tough one.  I have had some durable pieces from Badger Blades, Starfire, ect..  But they are more of a "sword like object", still they are durable for sure.  I tried to break a Ronin Arming sword and it gave me a run for the money.  I did not really successfully break it.  The Zomebie tools stuff was also super durable.   

3) The best looking sword in your collection is?

I had a custom mounted Rick Barrett Katana that was done up well.  A Howard Clark 1086 gives it a run for the money.  In terms of euro style blades, the Albion Mercenary is the best looking on I have had. 

4) The sword in your collection you would pass on to your closest family member as an heirloom?

LOL, whatever I don't sell I suppose.  Realistically though, probably my bamboo mat because it holds sentimental value to me as well as my grandfathers naval cutlass for the same reason. 

5) The sword in your collection you got the best "deal" on is? (Best value, not necessarily the cheapest)

A long time ago I took a chance on an ebay auction that was labeled "sword" and it ended up being a Nice Hanwei sword.  I won a few auctions like that at about the same time and it started my buying and trading swords.

6) Your very first sword was?

It was a SLO that I got when I was five years old.  It was a toleto made sword with a tang that went about an inch into the handle and was gluded/pressure fit.   First real sword was a training katana from someplace cheap. 


7) As of today, your most recent sword you bought was?

An Angel Sword katana

8) The most recent sword you gave away or sold was?

A shinsakuto by Tadayoshi

9) The longest sword blade in your collection is?

Hanwei Bamboo Mat probably.. Maybe a Howard Clark 1086..

10) The heaviest sword in your collection is?

Ronin Katana Krom Killer

11) The sword that's not currently in your collection today, but will be for sure in the future?!

I have been hunting for a good deal on an Albion Sovereign.. I'm sure I will get one eventually. 

12) The most damaged or rusty sword in your collection is?

Maybe some of the Ronin Katana I have tested.. They are broke as hell...  The next closest would be hard to say, I get rid of most of the broken blades.  Probably an old gunto or the angel sword I just bought.  Both have damage..

13) The sword in your collection that most needs a scabbard or needs a new scabbard?

I have unmounted blades that need a saya.. and I have an albion mercenary that needs a scabbard..

14) The sword in your collection with the best feeling grip to you? (fits just right for your hand)

My bamboo mat..  Love that f`ing thing.

15) The most unique or rare sword in your collection is? (an antique, a custom forge or perhaps a limited production edition)
I'm not sure.  I have a few rare pieces but I don't know what is the most rare.  I would probably say a katana that is being worked on now..  Its a folded blade made by both Rick Barrett and Josiah Boomershine.  There are not many of those..

1) Your #1 favorite sword in your collection is?

My J&L custom

2) The most durable/unbreakable sword in your collection is?

Gonna vote on my GSOW.

3) The best looking sword in your collection is?

I love the J&L. The blade is so shiny and crisp. It Would have been my KC katana though, as that sword was so pretty

4) The sword in your collection you would pass on to your closest family member as an heirloom?

My J&L custom.

5) The sword in your collection you got the best "deal" on is? (Best value, not necessarily the cheapest)

Oh that's a tough one. I never buy a sword unless it's a good deal. I did get my GSOW with a Cheness for under 300$. But my J&L was a super good deal too.

6) Your very first sword was?

A Masahiro Brides replica

7) As of today, your most recent sword you bought was?

J&L. I didn't buy it, technically, as my sister did.

8) The most recent sword you gave away or sold was?

My KC 29. Traded my sister for her small sword, as I felt the KC would be better as a weapon

9) The longest sword blade in your collection is?

GSOW all the way

10) The heaviest sword in your collection is?

GSOW

11) The sword that's not currently in your collection today, but will be for sure in the future?!

I like to think an Albion. But more realistically, another H/T (maybe a bastard)

12) The most damaged or rusty sword in your collection is?

This "antique gunto" that was totally just a reproduction. Was under a shed for years, in Canadian weather

13) The sword in your collection that most needs a scabbard or needs a new scabbard?
J&L custom

14) The sword in your collection with the best feeling grip to you? (fits just right for your hand)
My Ronin Katana

15) The most unique or rare sword in your collection is? (an antique, a custom forge or perhaps a limited production edition)
J&L custom

The aim of this thread is simple. Answer each question with a sword from YOUR collection...

1) Your #1 favorite sword in your collection is?
TFW Dan Dao
This is a big tough working sword. It is agile and fast, and slips through soft-to-medium targets like a ninja through the night. To me, TFW steel is gorgeous, and has easily stood up to everything I have thrown at it. With a little practice, the few Kung Fu dao techniques I know work nicely with it. It’s really too big to be an indoor weapon. However, until zombies start wearing body armor, this is the sword you want for the apocalypse.



2) The most durable/unbreakable sword in your collection is?
TFW Itak Tagalog #1
The geometry and overall shape is built for punishment, and it is made of very tough steel - spring tempered 5160 alloy steel with some D2 “blended” in (if you believe TFW’s claim). According to TFW, this itak design was originally an agricultural working tool intended for a lifetime of abuse. It favors heavy targets.



3) The best looking sword in your collection is?
Hanbon Dragon Jian
The pattern welded blade is very well crafted and symmetrical, and the fittings, though inexpensive, look very nice. Close scrutiny exposes its modest price point, but that is true of my entire collection. The open/natural wood handle and scabbard are nicely polished. I pinned the grip under the pommel with a modern high strength roll pin to make sure everything stays put during use.



4) The sword in your collection you would pass on to your closest family member as an heirloom?
Hanbon Dragon Katana
The pattern welded blade and brass fittings are attractive and well done, and the color scheme is mature and sophisticated. The theme was originally “inspired” by a zombie TV show, but this particular example was changed substantially. My father bought and customized this sword specifically for my infant son (obviously to be given to him when he is old enough and has mastered an appropriate level of maturity and training). My dad opted for the nicer brass fittings with a dragon theme, and chose the more subdued color scheme. He also had my son’s name engraved on one side of the tang, and had Mr. Yao sign the other side (I know he’s not the smith, but this is a production line sword, and he is the guy with name recognition).



5) The sword in your collection you got the best "deal" on is? (Best value, not necessarily the cheapest)
Hero Sword Liuye Dao
This sword was a gift to me from my father, and was my very first. It was the type of sword I had long wanted, with all the features I liked. The willow leaf shape is absolutely my favorite. This one is pattern welded and differentially hardened. The hamon is very plain, but it is the only DH sword I have. Since it was a gift, it was the best “deal,” although it also opened the gates to my sword “addiction.”



6) Your very first sword was?
Hero Sword Liuye Dao (same as above)

7) As of today, your most recent sword you bought was?
TFW Dan Dao (same as above)

8) The most recent sword you gave away or sold was?
Hanbon Noble Professions Katana
This was a gift to a lifelong friend. He had a 440 stainless “ninja-style” katana (really more of a ko katana) that he was pretty fond of. I wanted him to have a genuine, attractive, sturdy and safe (if not particularly expensive) katana suitable for actual use and of sufficient quality to pass to his son if he wished. Any semi-serious sword collector would probably dismiss this katana outright, but it was a serious weapon and looked nice to the untrained eye. It wasn’t really a ninja theme, but it was kinda stealthy looking.



9) The longest sword blade in your collection is?
Hanbon Dragon Jian (same as above)
This was a close call. The jian is about 41” long - a little long for a jian, and about the same length as a katana. Except for katana, all my swords are one-handers.

10) The heaviest sword in your collection is?
Hero Sword Liuye Dao (same as above)
It tips the scales at about 2 pounds 10 ounces. A little heavy for a one-hander, but manageable once you get accustomed to it. With a little distal taper and well placed fullers, it has decent handling. I will never put this sword through destruction testing, but the thick blade seems eager to cut through heavy hard targets.

11) The sword that's not currently in your collection today, but will be for sure in the future?!
Ronin Katana Hammer Forged Dragon Themed Dao
According to Ronin Katana: “Laminated and through hardened... The hamon is made via metal extraction down to the T-10 layer.” Possibly the baddest production liuye dao I have ever seen. Too cool. So want.



12) The most damaged or rusty sword in your collection is?
Hero Sword Shirasaya Wakizashi
I got this as a candidate for regular common/open carry. While it’s not actually concealed when sheathed, it is not obviously a sword to the casual observer, either. The hardwood saya is a decent off hand weapon. The blade was an impressive cutter, until I cracked it during semi-abusive testing.



13) The sword in your collection that most needs a scabbard or needs a new scabbard?
TFW Itak Tagalog #1 (same as above)
This itak’s scabbard is actually the best fitting scabbard of my collection. By a lot. The itak is held very securely with absolutely zero rattle, yet can be drawn effortlessly. However, the scabbard is plain and unattractive, kinda like a kindergartener’s sand castle. It has no means of convenient carry. This particular one also has tape (tape!) securing the rattan wraps.

14) The sword in your collection with the best feeling grip to you? (fits just right for your hand)
Hanwei Oxtail Saber/Niuwei Dao
As an overall fighting package, the Hanwei grip perfectly interfaces between the blade and the hand. Surprisingly, I don’t have a photo of the Hanwei alone.



15) The most unique or rare sword in your collection is? (an antique, a custom forge or perhaps a limited production edition)
Hero Sword Gunto-like Sword
All of my swords are relatively inexpensive and mass produced. Each has its attractive features, and all are of decent build quality and are purportedly “battle ready.” However, even a single “inexpensive” upscale semi-production sword (such as an Albion or Citadel) would easily be worth more than all of mine put together.
I suppose the most “unique” sword in my collection is a production katana that is very loosely reminiscent of a WWII gunto. It was not advertised as a gunto, and any uniqueness comes from its anachronistic amalgamation of several styles. It has a nice pattern welded blade and an attractive (if non-historical) aesthetic. It has an open/natural grain hardwood saya with an earth tone color scheme. I just happened to like this one.



Copy and paste the questions into your post and answer each question. Feel free to add pictures of your sword to your answers. Enjoy...

1. My favorite sword is the Valiant Arms Monarch, In blue

2. MY most durable sword is probably the Condor Dadao, I dropped it a few times and its fine, or rather I threw it.

3. Best looking sword is the Drake Short Sword by Jeffrey Robinson (bought it from Sean)

4. I would pass on my Windlass Roven sword

5. The best deal I've got is the Drake Short Sword

6. My first sword is the VA Monarch, its my gold standard for all swords I buy

7. Most recent sword is the ScorpionSword Arwen Sword II

8. Never sold a sword yet, have given away 3 cold steel "sword" machetes

9. Longest Sword is the Windlass Roven Sword for now

10. Heaviest sword is either the Condor Dadao or the Roven Sword, but the Dadao feels heavier

11. One sword that I will 100% be getting is the Dragonspear II from Jeffrey

12. None of my swords are damaged or rusty but the most battle-worn would probably be the Condor Dadao

13. The sword that most needs a new scabbard is the ScorpionSword Arwen Sword II, as its a floppy mess

14. The sword that fits my smaller then average hands the best is L.Driggers(Fallen)'s Migration Stabbing Sword

15. The most "rare" swords in my collection is the customs, L.Driggers's Migration sword, LWF Wes's Irish Short sword, and Jeffrey's Drake short sword

1) Your #1 favorite sword in your collection is? British 1897 Inf. Officer Sword. Its a rather plain Jane choice, but I like the design. Simple, elegant and effective. 


2) The most durable/unbreakable sword in your collection is? 1890 Brazilian Cav Sword. It shares the same patent-hilt design as the Brit 1853 series of swords. If you manage to break that, you are doing something wrong

3) The best looking sword in your collection is? If you asked a few weeks earlier, it would be the Brazilian Inf Officer Sword which I sold to Adventurer'sBlade.  As of now, likely the 1897

4) The sword in your collection you would pass on to your closest family member as an heirloom? None. They are all nice collectors pieces, but nothing which bears heirloom status. 


5) The sword in your collection you got the best "deal" on is? (Best value, not necessarily the cheapest) M1852 Prussian from Dave Kelly. Mind you, Dave is a true gentleman and anything you buy from him is a good deal :P


6) Your very first sword was? 1860 Staff and Field officer small-sword like thing


7) As of today, your most recent sword you bought was? Some random filipino thing from the forums.


8) The most recent sword you gave away or sold was? Brazilian to the Red one


9) The longest sword blade in your collection is? 93 cm. French 1882 hand lance re-hilted onto an 1896 (again from the Kelly)


10) The heaviest sword in your collection is? Windlass Munich. That thing is a beast


11) The sword that's not currently in your collection today, but will be for sure in the future?! French 1822. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possession of a good sabre collection, must be in want of an 1822


12) The most damaged or rusty sword in your collection is? French Superior 1845 Inf Officer word. Pitted to heck, but still fun


13) The sword in your collection that most needs a scabbard or needs a new scabbard? US 1906. Currently living in a repro scabbard. Its like the hermit crab of my collection - stealing discarded scabbards from other swords :P


14) The sword in your collection with the best feeling grip to you? (fits just right for your hand) Universal Princess of Wales sabre. I like thos coffin hilted swords


15) The most unique or rare sword in your collection is? (an antique, a custom forge or perhaps a limited production edition). Hanwei  Renaissance Side Sword. I like unusual swords, but every one in my collection I have seen come up on the classifieds or on e-bay at least once since they entered my collection. The Side Sword I know is out there, being a mass manufactured item - its just never let onto the market :P So yes, I guess its a common sword in terms of ownership, but not in terms of availability. 

Current stand...

1) Your #1 favorite sword in your collection is?
    Subject to change, currently my new Custom Albion Munich 

2) The most durable/unbreakable sword in your collection is?
    My Zombie blade Zorn 

3) The best looking sword in your collection is?
    Puh... tie between the Munich and my XVIIIa longsword

4) The sword in your collection you would pass on to your closest family member as an heirloom?
    My XVIIIa longsword

5) The sword in your collection you got the best "deal" on is? (Best value, not necessarily the cheapest)
    Def. Albion Munich

6) Your very first sword was?
    Cheness Tenchi Ko Katana (not counting a stainless SLO)

7) As of today, your most recent sword you bought was?
    Not a sword, really, but a Regenyei feder. 

8) The most recent sword you gave away or sold was?
    A type XVIIIb longsword I think

9) The longest sword blade in your collection is?
    Antiqued Hanwei Bastard sword

10) The heaviest sword in your collection is?
     Antiqued Hanwei Bastard sword

11) The sword that's not currently in your collection today, but will be for sure in the future?!
     I'd really like to own a PJ sword one day... to remind me what to aspire to. 

12) The most damaged or rusty sword in your collection is?
     19th century parang

13) The sword in your collection that most needs a scabbard or needs a new scabbard?
     Albion Munich and my XII single hander

14) The sword in your collection with the best feeling grip to you? (fits just right for your hand)
     Tie between XVIIIa longsword and XII single hander

15) The most unique or rare sword in your collection is? (an antique, a custom forge or perhaps a limited production edition)
     Can't answer that. All the swords of my own making are unique, as are most of my other ones as I customized almost every one.