Many people new to the sword community will presumably have some idea of what they are looking for; unaware of the vast selection they will undoubtedly stumble upon. The average newcomer may spend much of their time debating which sword is right for them though without ever arriving at a sufficient conclusion. It is therefore necessary to first understand the different realms of sword selection in order to be sure you have purchased the right sword. After all, these are not cheap or novelty instruments; they are weapons that must be used in the correct manner so that no harm will come to you or the general populous.
It is difficult to know if what you are purchasing is truly what you are looking for; it may well take several mistakes for the buyer to become wise to the whole process. There are many swords out there that are in bad condition or far from what you presumed they were going to be. So the first and most important thing to do is research – research the different types of sword to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for; this may take a while but it will be worth it. Once you have done this you can begin looking for these specific swords. Then you must be aware that the sword you want may not be as good as it looks. Many sellers, as with anything, will be there to rip you off, whether this means that the sword is blunt, broken, or simply does not exist. So take your time, send a few e-mails, make sure you get exactly what you paid for.
The biggest disadvantage of buying anything online is that you cannot test the product before buying, in addition to the fact that you cannot be sure if the product even exists in the first place. As a general rule, real swords are made from carbon steel, avoid stainless steel as the material becomes brittle on anything longer than 12 inches.
When looking for genuine swords, you will undoubtedly come across sword like objects which will break easily. Most collectors will want to use their newly purchased sword, even if this just means a swing in the garden; it is therefore important to by an authentic sword and not a sword like object. The latter will break, and you will be disappointed when this happens. Sword collectors take pride in their collection, which means that authentic should be the only purchase you want to make. This does not mean, however, that you must spend an inordinate amount on your first purchase. For an entry level authentic sword you should really be spending up to around $300.
To avoid risk the best plan of action is to buy from a reputable manufacturer, for example Albion Armories, or Angus Trim; whilst no financial transaction can ever be 100% foolproof, when purchasing swords, this is the best way.
|