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Post by Nujukamma on Apr 30, 2018 20:06:00 GMT
Hey everyone. I was at a local pawn shop, and saw what may, or may not be...a good first sword for my heretoforth non-existent collection. It's been in the shop for a while, and recently got a significant price drop. I doubt very much that this particular pawn shop knows much about the few swords that come through. Right now they are asking $50 instead of the $200 they originally listed it as. I'm sure the sword in question is not anything special, though based on a admittedly small amount of experi ance, I feel it might be alright as a HEMA or training blade. I have no idea what the steel is, nor are there any obvious signs as to maker or brand, but the blade seems firm and solid in the hilt, with no wiggle. It is an unsharpened, medieval style longsword/bastard sword (maybe a based on wikipedias diagram a oakshott type xiia?) with a two handed grip. The blade is around 4 feet long. Comes with a cheap leather sheath. Are there any other tests or points of reference I can use in store to determine if it's a good deal or just a wallhanger?
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 30, 2018 20:21:12 GMT
If you can't identify a sword it can be a cheap wallhanger that may break at the tang even with swinging it in the air = helicopter of death.
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Post by Nujukamma on Apr 30, 2018 20:49:35 GMT
So is there anyway to identify it, or test it short of swinging it around?
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 30, 2018 21:08:46 GMT
After a few years in this forum you'll know the brands and swords to trust - more or less.
Or you can post a picture here and ask.
There's no way to judge a sword that you can't identify by a few swings (except you'd have very bad luck).
If you want a real sword I'd give the advice to read a bit of the Sword Buyers Guide and this forum here. I did so. You can buy swords of reliable sources from 50 $ up.
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Post by elbrittania39 on Apr 30, 2018 21:15:43 GMT
Also at the very least, look where the money went in the swords design.
If it's a simple cross guard and wheel pommel it's more likely to be legit than if there's cheapy dragons and kings and other fantasy heraldic designs.
Oh, another general indicator is its weight. It should be under 4.5 pounds, even at that length
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2018 23:16:48 GMT
Save your money, window shop for a few months and realize why that sword may have been listed at 25% of the original price. Save until you feel you can get the best sword your target budget can manage.
Looking is free, as is most of the information on the internet, so why waste $50 to further your education?
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Post by Nujukamma on May 1, 2018 0:45:46 GMT
That's what I figured. Just thought I'd see what the consensus was.
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Post by howler on May 1, 2018 6:21:03 GMT
So is there anyway to identify it, or test it short of swinging it around? Unless you believe it is some antique (somehow getting past the pawn shop staff), why not buy a name brand and KNOW what your getting? Unless your an expert in metallurgy, don't buy due to "helicopter of death" or breaking on first blocking maneuver when protecting your life.
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Post by elbrittania39 on May 1, 2018 6:25:45 GMT
So is there anyway to identify it, or test it short of swinging it around? Unless you believe it is some antique (somehow getting past the pawn shop staff), why not buy a name brand and KNOW what your getting? Unless your an expert in metallurgy, don't buy due to "helicopter of death" or breaking on first blocking maneuver when protecting your life. 1. Antique long sword? Nah man. Antique saber would be unlikely. Antique long sword in a pawnshop would be like winning the lottery at the same moment you get struck by lightning 2. I agree he should get a quality sword, but that's not really a self defense consideration. The martial arts we practice are functionally extinct.
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Post by howler on May 1, 2018 6:33:42 GMT
Unless you believe it is some antique (somehow getting past the pawn shop staff), why not buy a name brand and KNOW what your getting? Unless your an expert in metallurgy, don't buy due to "helicopter of death" or breaking on first blocking maneuver when protecting your life. 1. Antique long sword? Nah man. Antique saber would be unlikely. Antique long sword in a pawnshop would be like winning the lottery at the same moment you get struck by lightning 2. I agree he should get a quality sword, but that's not really a self defense consideration. The martial arts we practice are functionally extinct. Of course, regarding antiques, I was talking pawn shop blades in general, and realize how rare an antique (particularly a longsword...whoa) would be. Firearms, naturally, are the clear choice. But I think you know there are many who do choose blades for self defense. If a bad guys head is removed from his shoulders while lurking in the shadows of a bedroom doorway in my (or other blade owners) house...that bad guy becomes extinct.
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Post by bluetrain on May 1, 2018 11:01:41 GMT
I have seen some incredible finds in pawn shops/junk shops. The problem was, I couldn't afford them even at their relatively low prices. But around here, such places no longer seem to exist. They have gone the way of Army-Navy stores and surplus stores. These days, I imagine the place to look for such things would be at a gun show. But what with the internet and eBay, there are few bargains to be had, unless you happen to want what nobody else does.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on May 1, 2018 12:31:15 GMT
With no maker’s mark and a cheap leather sheath I’d have my doubts. One thing you might do is to see if it’s peened. If so, and especially if the pommel is keyed, it might be worth further investigation. Otherwise I have serious doubts.
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Post by bebut on May 1, 2018 13:58:41 GMT
Bargains to be had but keep in mind that in this day and age most pawn shop owners are connected online and when they get an "antique" they evaluate whether it is best to sell it online or locally. Yes, they do make mistakes, and shipping swords is a nuisance if you don't have a sword box on hand, but if it was a $200 sword they would have sold it on ebay or at auction. Cheap scabbard is a mixed signal-- if it were an antique it might have a replacement scabbard, although this would greatly lower its value as a collectible. If the cheap scabbard is original to the sword, that implies it was a cheap sword. Develop an eye for how carbon steel ages, and hope you don't run into one that was professionally aged.
At one time when I lived in the US I had a regular route of pawn shops I would haunt. They are not all created equal in terms of talent and ethics. I eventually got on good terms with owners of 2 who were pretty straight forward with me. A couple others I stopped visiting because they were not worth the time. Another large one I would visit but triple inspect anything because the guy was prone to selling junk with a smile.
If you have a desire for historical swords rather than replicas, there are models like the French and Danish yataghan bayonets that are charming, very common, and have clear identifying marks. A little slice of history in the $100 to $200 price range. Be aware that value depends on condition, matching serial numbers, and original leather frog (belt hanger). If you are looking for a beater to cut bottles or home defense you are in one end of the market but if you have a desires for collectibles you are in the other.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on May 1, 2018 14:04:06 GMT
"Helicopter of Death"---I think I coined that phrase back in '02-'03....going off on a tirade about crappy tangs on cheap Taiwan-made wall hangers. Poor walls....
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on May 1, 2018 15:11:35 GMT
I've seen the phrase used several time, usually in videos.
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Post by Curt on May 14, 2019 16:15:03 GMT
I wouldnt suggest buying a sword at a pawn shop unless they can tell u facts about the sword like what kind of metal and for samurai swords if no pins on the tsuka aka hilt deff stay way consider u can buy 1045 carbon swords 4 50 to 100 dollars
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Post by nddave on May 14, 2019 18:57:55 GMT
Probably one of those cheap to find Ebay longswords from Pakistan or India. Or it could be one of those BudK type "carbon steel" longswords that look enough like the real deal but have some issues under the hood. That is based on your description of the sheath. A quick pic from your cellphone would say a thousand words in regards to us being able to pin down what it is and where it came from.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on May 14, 2019 20:22:51 GMT
You guys realize this thread is over a year old, right?
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on May 14, 2019 21:44:41 GMT
I was going to say after a year the sword is gone or he has walked. In the end the thread is of no importance.
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Post by nddave on May 14, 2019 23:54:56 GMT
You guys realize this thread is over a year old, right? Nope I'm just one of those idiots who still think its 2018, lol!
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