Sword Display Furniture
Apr 6, 2009 0:29:10 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2009 0:29:10 GMT
How Do all. I'm very new to SBG forum, but I am not new to the world of sword history and use, primarily that of Japan. Big surprise no doubt, but it comes from a background in Japanese martial arts that led naturally to an interest in the Samurai and of course their primary tool of the trade. I am here like most of you to enjoy conversation and exchange with like minded folks in a friendly place. I must diverge a bit here to and say that I am by all accounts a master woodworker. I could ramble on about awards I've won or the rich and famous I have made furniture and millwork for but that at this moment isn't my focus. I mention the woodworking because as I have read through various threads and viewed a number of photos and I see a repeating trend. No one seems to have access to dedicated sword furniture besides the standard daisho or shogun stands. I have for some time played with the idea of creating a line of sword furniture for the hobbyist sword collector and have decided to open up my idea to the forumites here on SBG. There are about a thousand aspects involved in this potential offering, and would like to get the broadest cross section of opinions I can before fully enacting a new segment to my business or scrapping the whole idea entirely. Well, I suppose I should get down to it, and I would like to pose questions to you the forumites so I have the best possible ground work to offer you the best product for the best price I can. Here goes.
First, Would there be a preference to swords being held vertically or horizontally? I ask this because I've observed that most Euro style swords are held vertically, whereas Japanese swords are typically held horizontally. As a furniture maker, by cost standards alone, vertical holding will be far more cost and design effective, but I must take into account what the masses would prefer. Making vertical or horizontal an option would drastically drive up costs, therefore having one unified idea is preferential for both cost and design unity.
Second, Is the case being wall hung a total deterrent to ownership? Again this is cost driven as making a display case with a base would again drastically drive up cost yet again. My current design is a case that is only 5 inches or 13 centimeters thick. A wall hung unit is by far more cost effective.
Third, I feel that I may be able to offer cases that have either glass doors or wood panel doors. Unless I am told that glass or wood is overwhelmingly popular, I will design the doors to have either material as a door panel medium.
Fourth is a question of security. My immediate stance is that locking hardware would go on the cabinet. However it would not be the traditional lock and key type. I would like to utilize a hidden wooden lock I have devised. I say this because standard quality door locks are actually quite pricey in the scope of my target price for this cabinet. Plus, I personally never like how locksets look on cabinet doors. Pro or con to the keyless hidden wood locks will be very helpful.
Fifth, How many swords would you wish to keep in this case? At this time I'm looking at case which would hold 5 swords hung vertically. Basically i want to know if that is a number that is too high, too low, or just right.
Sixth, and finally is a question on cost. At this point, my on paper proyotype will cost $425 US. Is this number too high? Before you answer though I would like to summarize what you would be getting for that money. The case would be made of real hardwood, with at this point 9 different species being offered as follows, maple, birch, walnut, ash, beech, cherry, butternut, white oak, and mahogany. These would all be clear finished and the species offering provides a full array of colors to match most any decor. Also you would be able to mix and match species at no additional cost, for example a Mahogany case with white oak door panels. Inside the case would be the appropriate hangers for Euro swords and the appropriate mounts for Japanese swords for them to be stood as they would be on a Shogun stand. As a bonus, the inside back of the cabinet would be veneered in figured birch to really give the impression of a much more expensive cabinet, as well as a gorgeous backdrop to the pieces of steel we love so much. I am considering also adding small drawers across the bottom of the cabinet as either a standard feature or as an upgrade option. My thought on this is to have a place to store cleaning and maintenance kits, literature, etc for the swords kept within.
To close, this is a bit of a departure for me as I have been making strictly custom furniture and millwork for 11 years now. The typical cost of my work begins at $3,000 and maxes out around $40,000. I am looking to make these cabinets in a semi custom production basis, there by keeping costs as fair and reasonable as possible to fellow sword enthusiasts and practitioners. I will however gladly take inquiries about custom projects as that is my business, but the true focus of this thread is to garner as much info as I can from you and create a product you'll be proud to own and be worthy of the sword collections you put in them. I will observe this thread and answer all questions posed. After 1 to 2 months I will build an actual prototype and photograph it from all angles. At that point I will have solid figures on cost, as well as available options. You will be the final judges of a product I would like to roll out nationally and then internationally. I appreciate all response and if all goes well a few of will purchase early models of this cabinet at a reduced price(essentially cost) to do final critical analysis of any further changes wanted or needed as well as the standard what did I get for the money analysis. Thanks to all who participate, can't wait to here from everyone!!
First, Would there be a preference to swords being held vertically or horizontally? I ask this because I've observed that most Euro style swords are held vertically, whereas Japanese swords are typically held horizontally. As a furniture maker, by cost standards alone, vertical holding will be far more cost and design effective, but I must take into account what the masses would prefer. Making vertical or horizontal an option would drastically drive up costs, therefore having one unified idea is preferential for both cost and design unity.
Second, Is the case being wall hung a total deterrent to ownership? Again this is cost driven as making a display case with a base would again drastically drive up cost yet again. My current design is a case that is only 5 inches or 13 centimeters thick. A wall hung unit is by far more cost effective.
Third, I feel that I may be able to offer cases that have either glass doors or wood panel doors. Unless I am told that glass or wood is overwhelmingly popular, I will design the doors to have either material as a door panel medium.
Fourth is a question of security. My immediate stance is that locking hardware would go on the cabinet. However it would not be the traditional lock and key type. I would like to utilize a hidden wooden lock I have devised. I say this because standard quality door locks are actually quite pricey in the scope of my target price for this cabinet. Plus, I personally never like how locksets look on cabinet doors. Pro or con to the keyless hidden wood locks will be very helpful.
Fifth, How many swords would you wish to keep in this case? At this time I'm looking at case which would hold 5 swords hung vertically. Basically i want to know if that is a number that is too high, too low, or just right.
Sixth, and finally is a question on cost. At this point, my on paper proyotype will cost $425 US. Is this number too high? Before you answer though I would like to summarize what you would be getting for that money. The case would be made of real hardwood, with at this point 9 different species being offered as follows, maple, birch, walnut, ash, beech, cherry, butternut, white oak, and mahogany. These would all be clear finished and the species offering provides a full array of colors to match most any decor. Also you would be able to mix and match species at no additional cost, for example a Mahogany case with white oak door panels. Inside the case would be the appropriate hangers for Euro swords and the appropriate mounts for Japanese swords for them to be stood as they would be on a Shogun stand. As a bonus, the inside back of the cabinet would be veneered in figured birch to really give the impression of a much more expensive cabinet, as well as a gorgeous backdrop to the pieces of steel we love so much. I am considering also adding small drawers across the bottom of the cabinet as either a standard feature or as an upgrade option. My thought on this is to have a place to store cleaning and maintenance kits, literature, etc for the swords kept within.
To close, this is a bit of a departure for me as I have been making strictly custom furniture and millwork for 11 years now. The typical cost of my work begins at $3,000 and maxes out around $40,000. I am looking to make these cabinets in a semi custom production basis, there by keeping costs as fair and reasonable as possible to fellow sword enthusiasts and practitioners. I will however gladly take inquiries about custom projects as that is my business, but the true focus of this thread is to garner as much info as I can from you and create a product you'll be proud to own and be worthy of the sword collections you put in them. I will observe this thread and answer all questions posed. After 1 to 2 months I will build an actual prototype and photograph it from all angles. At that point I will have solid figures on cost, as well as available options. You will be the final judges of a product I would like to roll out nationally and then internationally. I appreciate all response and if all goes well a few of will purchase early models of this cabinet at a reduced price(essentially cost) to do final critical analysis of any further changes wanted or needed as well as the standard what did I get for the money analysis. Thanks to all who participate, can't wait to here from everyone!!