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Post by octosak on Feb 9, 2021 22:30:20 GMT
Hello there,
I have a rapier that I intend to sell, and I would like to know the best way to package and ship it to make sure it reaches its destination unharmed. It's 47" long overall, and is 11.75" at its widest point (the quillions) and about 7" at its deepest (the guard). It comes with a scabbard and includes a dagger that slides snugly into the pommel. Are there any special considerations I should think about when shipping? Is it best to ship the sword in its scabbard or out? Would it be safer to keep the dagger in the pommel to protect it, or should it be kept outside? Are there any materials that I should avoid when packing?
If there's another thread I should read on the subject, or some outside resource you know about, feel free to redirect me. My question is hardly original but I'm new to the forum and haven't had the wherewithal to locate where that info might be.
Thanks so much!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2021 22:58:09 GMT
Welcome aboard. Pack it as it was received by you. I'm assuming this might be like the Windlass with the dagger in the pommel. At any rate, if starting from scratch, I would find some stiff tubing or plastic pill bottles to put over the quillions (tape to secure) and that might help keep them from poking out. If lacking packing paper, buy a Sunday newspaper and then crumple and wad.. The object is to keep the object from moving inside the box. Sword in scabbard and dagger in pommel. You can also put a pill bottle over the point of the scabbard and or blade if packing apart.
I hate the packing peanuts.
Cheers
GC
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 9, 2021 23:46:53 GMT
use a long box with not too much extra width and height and stuff it with bubble wrap at the bottom, then wrap the entire sword in bubble wrap at least 3 layers every bit of it and a piece of foam or cardboard on the tip with extra wrapping if no scabbard, then stuff bubble wrap around the sword most of the way down the box so it has 0 movement then put alot of bubble wrap on top and cut down the box if necessary and tape it up, easy stuff
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Post by nebulatech on Feb 11, 2021 3:44:46 GMT
I've shipped 3-4 swords lately. I make a box by cutting up other, preferably larger boxes, but sometimes I join smaller boxes with a hot glue gun. About 3" longer than the sword, 2" wider, and I prefer bubble wrap with big bubbles. I have some plastic film, used for bagging, and I always put the sword in that and tape it up as a last barrier against water. I never know if this ends up on a porch in rainy weather. I completely encase the box with packing tape. So far, no troubles!
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Post by pellius on Feb 11, 2021 4:13:24 GMT
Welcome aboard.
All good suggestions.
Especially the peanuts. Don’t use peanuts. Everyone hates peanuts. Peanuts suuuuuck.
When I’m packing a sword, I imagine the package being repeatedly and thoroughly abused by numerous hateful delivery folks during its journey. I use lotsa bubble wrap, foam blocks and wadded paper. I tape the box shut securely. If I can, I double box.
Definitely ship the sword in the scabbard. I’ve received a couple of swords with a sharp foible sticking thru the box due to the seller failing to secure the blade. My local post office folks know me, and have been kind. They would’ve probably been within their rights to not complete delivery of such an outwardly hazardous item.
Also, oil everything liberally before wrapping it all up. Your box might get left out in the rain or snow for a while. I like to use the bubble wrap as a cocoon to keep the oil in and water and moisture out.
I also like tracking with a signature required for delivery. That helps deter porch piracy a little.
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Post by unknownsmith on Feb 11, 2021 4:15:00 GMT
There is a 1 inch thick cardboard used as spacers on pallets often called honeycomb cardboard. I generally use quite a bit of it and build a box of it inside my shipping box. Done right it is very solid. I would then wrap the blades in Saran Wrap, put them together (in the scabbard and pommel) place the sword in a plastic trash bag or better a food saver type vacuum bag (for moisture protection) wrap it all in bubble wrap, reinforce all the box edges with clear tape, and use 2 inch thick fiberglass reinforced tape wrapped around the box in every direction.
this is overkill, but I’ve seen horrible things done to stuff I’ve shipped in the past... also I’ve learned that the cleaner and more professional the packing job looks, the less likely a customer is to blame you for anything that happens. As the shipper I of course take care of the customer if something goes wrong, but having the customers anger not directed at you from the beginning makes every thing so much smoother if there are problems.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Feb 11, 2021 9:28:15 GMT
If no scabbard you can afix a piece of wood to the blade, longer then the blade. Basically makes it almost impossible for the blade to poke thru the box. The key for me has always been to fill all the voids in the box, make it tight so the sword doesn't shift around.
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Ouroboros
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Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
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Post by Ouroboros on Feb 11, 2021 16:13:35 GMT
Different size bubble wraps, smallest inside, larger on the outside. At least 2 wraps, 1 layer each where i can.
Cardboard spacers/packing styrofoam from inbound orders and cut to size and shape pieces to try and keep things from moving inside the box. Leave no spare space for movement. Bare metal attached to oversized board and secured as best i can
Box:make your own, add 2$ to the shipping cost and buy a tube(ask client first!!!), hit up ye olde flower shop they have boxes of amazing assortment. Did i mention make one?
Im lucky: my house needs more insulation--HA! So i keep old sword boxes in the basement rafters (among other things).
I like creative labelling:
Martial arts supply
Marital arts equipment
Decorative steelwork
Decorative ironwork
Sample resin, complete with martial arts eq
Wood n Ironwork
Noncannonical movie prop
Martial Arts Academy Trophy
Cottage industry hand made goods
Good Luck!
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 11, 2021 17:02:18 GMT
Another reason to save the box your sword comes in. Many good suggestions above. Take your pick. Someone mentioned attaching wood to the blade. I’ve done this, a PVC tube will also work, both not only preventing the end from coming through the end of package but bending. The downside is they add weight. Another solution to this is cut material from another box sufficient to make a sleeve with a Δ cross section. This will add stiffness, prevent end from coming through box, and is lighter then PVC or wood. I don’t know about your quillons but they may need padding of some type to prevent from coming through.
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Post by bubblepackaging4 on Dec 14, 2021 7:00:52 GMT
You can first pack things with cardboard, corner guards and other things, and wrap them with packaging bubble film to reduce the impact of external impact during product transportation. If the gap is large, you can fill it with newspaper. Fill the gap in the box to prevent damage due to impact everywhere. This method is very effective for me, perhaps in your opinion
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Post by Moka pot on Jul 12, 2024 14:09:49 GMT
Is this forum still active?
I live in the US and want to ship a sword to a family member, also in the US. The sword has a scabbard, is a bout 42" long. Width is 4 or 5 inches max. Does have a slight curve.
My initial thought was to put it in a section of PVC pipe with packing all around. Then pack the pipe in an appropriately sized cardboard box.
Cost of shipping is incidental, the sword is probably not of much monetary value but is a family heirloom.
What are your thoughts on this?
Are any shipping companies better at this or more reliable than others?
Do I have to disclose what is in the package? Probably would have to do that, it would most likely be x-rayed weather it's ground transport or air freighted.
Email: mokapot.20.k1hfe@xoxy.net
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Post by madirish on Jul 12, 2024 14:21:14 GMT
I've had stuff sent by UPS, FedEx, USPS. None appears to be any more error free than the other and maybe USPS was the least abusive.
As said above...ship the sword in its scabbard, wrap in bubble wrap and pack in a sturdy box, filling the voids with bubble wrap or paper....that's how most of the antiques I've received have been shipped.
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Post by pellius on Jul 12, 2024 14:43:04 GMT
Is this forum still active? I live in the US and want to ship a sword to a family member, also in the US. The sword has a scabbard, is a bout 42" long. Width is 4 or 5 inches max. Does have a slight curve. My initial thought was to put it in a section of PVC pipe with packing all around. Then pack the pipe in an appropriately sized cardboard box. Cost of shipping is incidental, the sword is probably not of much monetary value but is a family heirloom. What are your thoughts on this? Are any shipping companies better at this or more reliable than others? Do I have to disclose what is in the package? Probably would have to do that, it would most likely be x-rayed weather it's ground transport or air freighted. Email: mokapot.20.k1hfe@xoxy.net If you have a heat gun, you can warm the pvc and mush it out a bit, making a makeshift shipping scabbard. You can even pinch the tip-end shut or fold it over if you’re feeling extra frisky. |
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Jul 12, 2024 16:13:33 GMT
I would put a thick coat of oil on the blade (also scabbard if it's steel) and wrap it in cling film, this works pretty well for rust protection during transport, you can also make a protective sheath from folding thick cardboard. If it fits well and is a centimeter/0,5" or so thick, it is enough, doesn't have to be PVC. The best way to protect it is make it fit tight, therefore I would not put it in the original scabbard. Forget bubble wrap (unless you have the very tough kind) and the sort, just wrap the blade in cardboard so it can't move, maybe put something extra thick over the tip, the put it in a carton and fill the carton so nothing can shift with equal space between walls, sword and scabbard. Styrofoam also works, but the blade has to be inside something else in the first place (like a cardboard sleeve).
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