Buying your first sword

So you want to buy your  first sword? Here is  a few tips for the  rookies out there. The first thing to ask is  ? What do you want to do with it ? HEMA fighting , bottle  cutting , or just thrashing  around ?

You can put medieval swords into four basic categories . One, single hand arming swords . two, hand and a half or bastard swords .Three ,long swords or two handed swords . Four, great swords .

As for blade types  you can decide if you want a cutting  or  thrusting blade.Or a blade that does  both well .

The balance of the sword will  make a big difference in  its handling characteristics . Some swords may be more or less blade heavy based on the balance point . A blade heavy sword might  cut  better but  not always . If the blade balance is heavy it will be harder to handle then a better balanced blade .

If you plan to spar with your sword you can get a blunt sword  mad for just that  purpose . It is not recommended to spar with  real swords even if not sharpened .

Will you buy a sharp sword or sharpen your own? Unless you know how to sharpen a blade properly I would recommend  you have the  seller  sharpen it for you , usually at a little extra cost . Factory sharpening might not be the  best edge for all cutting purposes . It usually will be good enough to get you going .


What steel should you go with ? It will depend on your  requirements . All fully functional swords will be  made with good  carbon spring steel 1060 ext  . You could pay big money for better steel . So unless your doing something  unique with your sword  go with the basic steels to keep the price down .


Try before you buy? Well unfortunately  you most likely will not be able to handle or  even hold these swords before you buy . Some stores may not  take them off the wall for  you to hold them .The  best you can do is YouTube sword reviews . If you cant  find the same sword compare the specs to the closet one  you can find . Often  swords with  the same blade type and similar balance point will handle the same .

Practicality . Well lets face it who doesn't want a great sword ? There  big  there heavy there brutes there beasts there fun . But they usually  are too heavy and comber sum to be practical . If your looking to  practise HEMA  (Historic European Martial Arts ) then a regular longsword or hand and a half might be better for you .

Picking the right sword can be difficult the first time around. Ill bet your second  and third swords will be better picks . Once you buy a sword  and use it you will find you will start making the wish list for your next one .

Price  ?  You don't  have to break  the bank to get a sword . Pawn shops are sometimes full of treasures at good  prices . Just be sure what  your buying thou . There are used swords    online   as well if you look.  Some sword makers offer  damaged or  blemished  swords at  discounts  . That said id budget $250-500 for  the entry level  swords . You could  find cheaper used  but you might have less choice .


How to avoid being scammed? There is  always fake swords out there , price  could be an indicator . If its new and really cheap  it might not be the real thing . Its best to shop with reputable  retailers . Relics  and Kull of Athena are well known . If it says  stainless steel its not a real sword . Stainless steel swords are wall hangers . The  big one is just do your research  .


I have two swords.  The two hander long sword is   a Dark Sword Armoury  two handed Normand sword . Its a fun brute .  The other is also a DSA  sword  known as  The Archers sword . Its a single hand arming sword . I love both of these swords  and they are  vary different  in there characteristics .


Swords can be real investments if you are buying antiques . Although I would not be thrashing around a  real piece of history . One point , when I bought  my swords they were  both $100 less then they are  now . So who known  maybe you can  sell your collection  after a few years  for profit  if you take good  care of them .

A lot more can be said  but the last  thing and usually the  main thing is  the looks . Most people will  buy swords based on the  look . Although a sword you love the looks of might not have the  handling your want  you will still be happy for the most part . Hey lets face it  looking at the  cool medieval  metal  beating bashy bar on the wall  is fun too .

If your first sword  is not as perfect as you wanted don't worry , the next one will be  better . Be careful  thou  its an expensive addiction .

A few last points . Most swords will not have a warranty  , so be sure to look into that before you  buy. Learn how to maintain your  sword . Do not store  your sword in the scabbard  it will rust .

Enjoy your sword and have fun  . Be safe take care don't  drop it on your  toe .lol