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Post by Cosmoline on May 15, 2018 23:29:41 GMT
I've heard people noticing a decline in sword buying lately, but at the same time there's a growing list of items that are essentially unobtainium. From quality messers to good arming sword blunts. And all the good smiths seem to have long wait lists or just flat-out refuse to take new orders. Albion wait times have gone from a few months to over a year. Is the issue that people's tastes are getting more selective?
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Post by Jordan Williams on May 15, 2018 23:36:06 GMT
The long wait times to me indicate that people are buying more high quality items.
Perhaps it's reflective of the market? Everyone's used to the current stuff, and maybe people are tired of Indian and Chinese made stuff.
Idk, just some thoughts.
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Post by zabazagobo on May 16, 2018 0:02:11 GMT
Jordan Williams I think you're right on all accounts. Could be one part increased interest in saving up for a higher quality sword (less is more and all that) and the lower priced swords not appealing as much since customers may have already have had their fill. I think this especially applies to the 'cheap katana fever' that was around for a while. Could just be there's increasing interest in European/"western" weaponry and variants of it compared to the 'cheap katana fever' that was around for a while. Some of the newer production pieces from Kingston Arms seem to be selling out quickly, so there's definitely interest in European style weapons. Windlass is doing very well as a company, a number of Hanwei's seem to be consistently sold out around most places and Ronin's European line seems to be doing well. Katana-wise, no idea how newer brands like Dragon King are doing, never hear too much about them. Only real katanas that interest me these days outside of antiques and customs (which are both out of my budget at the moment) would be maybe another Hanwei Bushido or a Date Masamune, possibly a custom from Sinosword. But given shipping shenanigans from China orders, I might just stick with Euro's. Plenty of good, affordable smiths in the U.S. and Europe for those anyway.
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Post by Afoo on May 16, 2018 0:24:25 GMT
What do you mean a decline in sword buying? Are you hearing this from the vendors themselves, or just in terms of the classified sections?
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Post by Cosmoline on May 16, 2018 0:46:26 GMT
I've heard it from threads here and on FB from various people, all complaining that swords that would have been bought quickly aren't being bought. I suspect it's a question of the market getting more sophisticated, but I was looking to see if others had insights.
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 571
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Post by Ouroboros on May 16, 2018 1:32:37 GMT
I do not speak for all Canadians here but the exchange rate kills my purchasing power when listings are in U.S. funds...
If I'm paying 30$ on the 100$, a 200$ blade equates to a 260$ blade. Add in international shipping and you're looking at 30-50$ depending on delivery options and insurance. True I've never had a border hassle or a customs question shot my way about "whats in the box sir?" but thats 30-50$ U.S. not CannuckBucks. So... 400$ sword in U.S. funds = 520$ sword in cannuckbucks 50$ transport in U.S. funds = 65$ transport fees in cannuckbucks 400$ sword in my paws for 585$ we still haven't added the conversion fee for paypal or the friends and family fee for sending the cash so we're pushing 600 for a listed 400$ sword. I have to be careful with what I spend or find a good seller who is compasionate and offers special rates/discounts/multiple items shipping etc. (I know a guy...)
This is all speaking from watching the classifieds for my own purchasing power and getting the best blade for the buck (sometimes it's something for resale locally, sometimes for my own personal use). If I can find sellers who are offerin multiple blades at good prices and don't mind slipping two katanas in a box for a little more $$ then my purchasing power goes up.
Should I have the money to approach a custom crafter or forge for a unique blade then I'd say I'm pushing the envelope of what I can spend on a hobby in U.S. funds when compared to the price of a new washer in cannuckbucks or feeding the sled team for another winter (j/k...they eat tresspassers) ... happy wifey--happy lifey ....let's just call that 'happy wifey--i keep my lifey'
A north of the border perspective on the U.S. classified market for used swords both on SBG and other forums. Cheers, Keith
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2018 1:34:24 GMT
Lately? It seems to have gone downhill sometime circa 2007-2008 and I've yet to see it up again. I feel really lucky that for the most part the swords I have are ones I really like, because I don't think I'd ever be able to come close to seeing them off for close to what they are worth.
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Post by wlewisiii on May 16, 2018 1:57:46 GMT
I had ginned myself up to buy a Windlass Battlecry Againcourt Hand and a Half and discovered that KoA was backordered and it wasn't listed at MRL. I may well get a CS practice hand and a half instead to at least start practicing longsword as well as to work with my buckler.
Just another datapoint.
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Post by Jordan Williams on May 16, 2018 2:12:33 GMT
I had ginned myself up to buy a Windlass Battlecry Againcourt Hand and a Half and discovered that KoA was backordered and it wasn't listed at MRL. I may well get a CS practice hand and a half instead to at least start practicing longsword as well as to work with my buckler. Just another datapoint. Just a bit of advice you may find the rawlings more suitable for longsword training. That what my club used until recently at least.
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Post by Afoo on May 16, 2018 2:30:07 GMT
I had ginned myself up to buy a Windlass Battlecry Againcourt Hand and a Half and discovered that KoA was backordered and it wasn't listed at MRL. I may well get a CS practice hand and a half instead to at least start practicing longsword as well as to work with my buckler. Just another datapoint. That could also reflect the fact that they are choosing to stock less, as a reflection of the times. I dunno what goes on behind closed doors, but the fact that many of the major manufacturers are still putting out new models is encouraging - the Windlass Early Scottish broadsword, the Universal Swedish HC to name a few. The classified seem to be moving quite briskly though just from what I have seen, so perhaps thats another sign. I know myself and my brother both loaded up on a few nice used items from sbg/ebay over the last few months.
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Post by wlewisiii on May 16, 2018 2:38:24 GMT
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,651
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Post by stormmaster on May 16, 2018 2:52:09 GMT
just gotta have a good price and right timing and things sell pretty well for me, oh and custom or limited edition stuff always seems to sell pretty fast
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2018 3:19:10 GMT
In my own niche interests, there are always possibilities in available stock but it is a matter of available funds and how deep to dig. Wait too long or falter at auction? The tears can be real Having not spent on the last six three figure auctions, maybe I deserve a four figure pretty. Too bad it doesn't really work that way.
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Post by Jordan Williams on May 16, 2018 3:26:58 GMT
Yeah, That's the one. Pretty decent trainer sword.
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Post by theophilus736 on May 16, 2018 3:35:52 GMT
I had ginned myself up to buy a Windlass Battlecry Againcourt Hand and a Half and discovered that KoA was backordered and it wasn't listed at MRL. I may well get a CS practice hand and a half instead to at least start practicing longsword as well as to work with my buckler. Just another datapoint. As Mr. Williams said, might be better off with the Rawlings. The CS trainers are like foam swords that they turned into hard plastic. Hugely disproportionate and really heavy. I have the hand and a half and an arming sword, and I will need to grind down the blades and maybe insert a metal rod into the grips for pushing the PoB back a few inches. Though, if you're willing to modify them yourself, they are a bit less than a third the price of the Rawlings.
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Post by wlewisiii on May 16, 2018 4:24:54 GMT
Thanks, I'll try one of the Red Dragons to start with then. A little more expensive but hearing how much better helps.
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Post by Jordan Williams on May 16, 2018 4:28:53 GMT
Thanks, I'll try one of the Red Dragons to start with then. A little more expensive but hearing how much better helps. It really is night and day. I would say the hierarchy of synthetic longsword trainers go like this - cold steel = deepeeka, rawlings = Hanwei, purple heart = arms and armor or similar customs, and blackfencer = Albion.
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Post by elbrittania39 on May 16, 2018 6:56:41 GMT
Thanks, I'll try one of the Red Dragons to start with then. A little more expensive but hearing how much better helps. It really is night and day. I would say the hierarchy of synthetic longsword trainers go like this - cold steel = deepeeka, rawlings = Hanwei, purple heart = arms and armor or similar customs, and blackfencer = Albion. Purpleheart just came out with a budget Polish saber, so they've officially won my heart : D
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Post by 28shadow on May 16, 2018 14:32:41 GMT
If Purpleheart can get a swept hilt rapier trainer done like Blackfencer already has I'll be very happy.
Wasn't it last year Paul sent out an email saying that the past year or so has really sucked for retailers? I think it was last September, possibly.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on May 16, 2018 18:30:34 GMT
If Purpleheart can get a swept hilt rapier trainer done like Blackfencer already has I'll be very happy. Wasn't it last year Paul sent out an email saying that the past year or so has really sucked for retailers? I think it was last September, possibly. Yes, or possibly later last Fall, around that time.
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