http://adrr.com/sword/  ©2001, 2006 Stephen R. Marsh, e-mail at: sword@adrr.com  

If you've ever thought about forging or buying a sword, this page covers my opinions on what you need to know before you start researching your project. Use of this page is subject to the caveats.  Please forgive the roughness of some of the links, but they illustrate how much change happens regularly in the world of swords. Updated 2005/2006.  Table of Contents. How to learn about swords Read a few good books (get them through your library). Read Determining sword quality (by Adrian Ko, at his web site). Read Understanding Steel (by Adrian Ko, at his web site) Read Thoughts -- Swords for Stage and Enactment (by Steve Marsh) Read How Sword Making Works (by Jeff Tison) Read My comments and thoughts (by Steve Marsh) Good Starter Swords I have some very specific recommendations of the "best" swords to begin with if you are looking for real swords at reasonable prices. By looking at these swords and these prices you can get a good idea of what a good, reliable sword of the particular price and type should cost. These are "starter" swords.  If you get into the three hundred dollar range, you should consider a real sword from an excellent sword maker such as Angus Trim. Going from your initial collection, read some books.  These links will take you to recommended books you should consider. My favorite Sword Books (these are the best for an initial overview).  After you have considered them, consider the following, depending on your tastes: On Japanese Swords and Swordsmanship On Western Swords and Swordsmanship On Modern Swords and Swordsmanship Historical Swords, Settings and Swordsmanship (Knights and their swords) Smithing and Swords Martial Arts Ancient Swords There are Excellent Smiths, for when you decide to expand you decide to expand your collection. For incredible vendors in the under a thousand dollar range (often half of that): http://www.albionarmorers.com/swords.htm (and a downright pretty website too!) http://www.armor.com/2000/catalog/catalog.html http://store.swordforum.com/ (Adrian needs to make the store easier to find, or his prices a good deal higher.  Hidden bargains) http://swordforum.com/links/customswordmakers.php -- a link collection of fine custom sword makers.  To dream, often at reasonable cost! Vendor Links -- of course you should double check these against the Swordforum and other places that keep current on the qualities and virtues of vendors. Caveats:  many smiths are human, get sick, old, etc. they also tend to be artists and driven by love of the steel rather than economics (even the ones who are good business types). See caveats.htm. Also consider a wooden practice sword for starting out. Links to other topics HACA http://www.thehaca.com/ and In Ferro Veritas Article List Japanese Sword FAQ  and the Japanese Sword Index as well as . Sword Forum Magazine Online -- a constantly changing and moving discussion on swords. An excellent place to ask questions. So, you want to do a sword "inspired by ..." Miscellaneous Links Sword Related Matters Hilts and accessories with a dose of good humor (Lundegard armories). Damascus steel. Fred Lohman's Japanese Sword Supplies. The ultimate site. Cleaning that sword blade.   Your feedback, suggestions and advice are appreciated.  Send me links and comments at: [e-mail]. I am especially looking for profiles to link to each of the sword sources (so that there are essays to go with the short comments I have put up) and for advice, comments and feedback. The graphic background used on this page is used with permission and is a derivative of an original work of art Copyright 1998 by WarAngel@swordforum.com. [variants of the wall paper used on this page.] Join the Swords Ring [ Prev | Next 5 | List Sites | Random | Next ]

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