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Conference noted::sf

Title:Arcana Caelestia
Notice:Directory listings are in topic 2
Moderator:NETRIX::thomas
Created:Thu Dec 08 1983
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1300
Total number of notes:18728

825.0. "Seeking Sword Sources..." by LEZAH::BOBBITT (invictus maneo) Mon Sep 18 1989 14:45

    I am looking for any catalogs which have swords and/or knives in
    them (for costume purposes) - or addresses where I could send for
    catalogs.  Also, names/addresses of any swordmakers
    would be appreciated....
    
    thanx,
    
    Jody
    (LEZAH::BOBBITT)
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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825.1if you're a fencing buff, there are other sourcesLESCOM::KALLISTime takes things.Mon Sep 18 1989 17:0612
    Re .0 (Jody):
    
    There are swords and swords.
    
    If you go to a Renniassance Fair (e.g., King Richard's Faire at
    Carver, Mass), there is at least one place that sells them and will
    smith one up to your spec's.
    
    If you want something dressy, many military suppliers will sell
    ceremonial sabers (I once had one, when in the service).
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
825.2Flea Markets!STEREO::FAHELAmalthea, the Silver UnicornMon Sep 18 1989 18:015
    Flea Markets!  Check your Flea Markets!
    
    My husband and I bought 2 swords from 2 different Flea Markets.
          
    K.C.
825.3'nother place to askAV8OR::EDECKTue Sep 19 1989 13:033
    
    For names of swordmakers (and knifemakers), you might want to ask in
    XCUSME::SURVIVAL. 
825.4another pointer ...BOOKS::BAILEYBCrazy in the sunlight, yes indeed!Wed Sep 20 1989 14:5017
    A co-worker of mine has a catalog in his office from:
    
    	Museum Replicas Limited
    	A Division of Atlanta Cutlery Corp.
    	Box 840
    	Conyers, GA 30207
    	1-800-241-3664
    
    They not only have swords, but also shields, helmets, dirks, daggers,
    maces, war hammers, battle axes, and many other implements of
    destruction from previous ages.
    
    They even have a replica of Glamdring (Gandalf's sword from The Hobbit
    and LoTR).  Looks like a pretty impressive collection.
    
    ... Bob
             
825.5more infoLEZAH::BOBBITTinvictus maneoWed Sep 20 1989 15:1023
    Thanks for the tips so far....and to clarify...
    
    The reason I put this in the SF notesfile is I am working on a costume
    for the 1991 Worldcon.  The sword should be about a 3' longsword.
    (a simple belt-sheath for the sword would also be nice.....)
    The haft should be shaped like this...semicircular facing the blade,
    flat facing the pommel.  The haft should be gold/brass colored,
    and the blade and pommel should be class-act silver colored.

                     | blade |
         *           |       |           *
         |\          |       |          /|
         | ~~        |       |        ~~ |
         |   ~~~~~~~ |       | ~~~~~~~   |
         |          ~~~~~~~~~~~          |
         |                               |
         *-------------------------------*
                     |       |
                     |       |
               ending in a round pommel
    
    -Jody
    
825.6PFLOYD::ROTHBERGSmoke if ya got 'em....THUD!Fri Sep 22 1989 15:4012
                
                
                How expensive  would  it be to get a sword custom
                made??    I've    always  one  that  looked  like
                Mournblade seen illustrated on  the  cover of the
                Daw  versions  of Elric.   (actually,  mournblade
                wasn't  shown that was elric's swords'  twin  ...
                um what was his ...  um,  er, duh - can't believe
                I forgot that one.  Oh well).
                
                
825.7COOKIE::MJOHNSTONMy hovercraft is full of eels!Fri Sep 22 1989 16:0120
	There is an organization (similar to the NRA) called the NKA - National 
Knife Association. They have a monthly magazine which discusses various types
of edged weapons: use, handling, care, sources, the making of, collecting, etc.

                            Phone # 1-800-548-3907

	Also, SHOTGUN NEWS contains numerous advertisements for custom knives,
swords, recreations, etc.
	Most gun stores keep this magazine on hand if you don't want to
subscribe.

	Also II - The Society for Creative Anachronism has a membeship which
includes many Science Fiction authors and fans. One of their activities is
get-togethers/festivals recreating events from the past: jousts, etc., and many
of the members engage in such hobbies as sword/knife making, pottery, weaving,
heraldry, recreation of period clothing, etc.

             There is a notesfile which I believe is on ATSE::SCA

MIKE J
825.8COFLUB::WRIGHTWhat do you call a Boomerang that doesn't return?Fri Sep 22 1989 20:4813
    
    Rob -
    
    I'd say that you'd be starting at about 200$ minimum and going up
    from there...
    
    It all depends on how fancy you want it...
    
    And  how good of quality...
    
    grins,
    
    clark.
825.9And that was for quality steel...HPSCAD::WALLYou and me against the world: attack!Mon Sep 25 1989 14:0713
    
    re: .6
    
    Getting a sword custom made?  Well, I heard reports recently of
    a custom-made katana going for $17,000 at a Renaissance fair.
    
    I think the sword you are thinking of is Stormbringer.  I don't
    even want to think about what it would cost to produce a black blade
    with red runes on it.
    
    Of course, if you're independently wealthy....
    
    DFW
825.10PFLOYD::ROTHBERGUbar of the road...Mon Sep 25 1989 15:2811
                
                That's the one!!!! :')
                
                Hmmmm...   maybe  if  I have some money left over
                when my glass  castle  with  the  moat and remote
                control drawbridge is finished ...
                
                Nevermind...
                $17K?!?!?  ouch
                
825.11COFLUB::WRIGHTWhat do you call a Boomerang that doesn't return?Mon Sep 25 1989 15:3720
    
    17K$ huh?? Definitly sounds like an Angel Sword...
    
    As an aside, Angel Swords are the Bently/Rolls Royce of sword
    Smiths right now.  It is run by the founder and his two sons, all
    peices are hand crafted and one of a kind.  Last I heard you could
    not touch a new dagger of theres for less than 500$, and that is
    for the bottom line (no frills).  Angel specializes in custom
    engraving, exotic hard woods, gem and precious metal settings...
    
    They are beautiful swords....
    
    If you get down to king richards, Talk to Zak about what you would
    like to get an idea of what it'll cost. (Zak is the master smith
    and Starfire, the smithy/armoury by the joust feild...)
    
    grins,
    
    clark.
                        
825.12NABETH::alanDancing to the beat of a different piccolo.Mon Sep 25 1989 21:059
	I bought my sword from:

		Starfire
		P.O. Box 858
		Fairburn, GA 30213

	They probably make the rounds of all the commercial
	faires.  The weapons they make are best suited to real
	or staged fights, but they also look pretty good.
825.13Angel Swords sounds right...HPSCAD::WALLYou and me against the world: attack!Tue Sep 26 1989 12:464
    
    The name does indeed sound familiar.
    
    DFW
825.14OUCH!IND::BOWERSCount Zero InterruptTue Nov 14 1989 18:044
    $17K for a katana is VERY steep as I've seen really fine old swords
    (reliably data 1400-1500 A.D.) for well under $10K.
    
    -dave
825.15This may be a little late, but.....SIOG::CRIPPENThu Feb 14 1991 09:359
    You may have found what you want by now, but my wife bought me a
    broadsword for Christmas '89 at a store called Cutlery World.  This
    particular store was in Greenville, SC but I think the chain is
    nationwide.  Anyway, the sword is made in Holland and is a fair
    representation of an old English broardsword.  It ran about $200-$250 so
    look around in the malls.  This store had a fairly good selection
    year-round.
    
    Stu
825.16There's a Seeker born each minuteSUBWAY::MAXSONRepeal GravitySat Feb 16 1991 19:165
    I looked through a couple of the "Museum Replica" catalogs and they
    weren't anywhere near the 10K and up range - more like the 1K and
    down. And, by the way, I still thought they were kind of pricey for
    what must be regarded as "novelty" items.
    
825.17LEZAH::BOBBITTI -- burn to see the dawn arrivingWed Feb 27 1991 13:2012
    someone prodded me to post an update on what I decided to do.  I
    decided most of the swords I saw in catalogs and at conventions that I
    really like are out of my price range (why am I not surprised? ;)....
    
    But in the meantime, my Grandfather gave me his WWI Ceremonial Naval
    Sword, which is pretty darn cool, and that seems to have satisfied my
    craving for a while.
    
    But someday.....
    
    -Jody
    
825.18AIAG::WRIGHTAnarchy - a system that works for everyone....Wed Feb 27 1991 14:4610
Jody - 

If you don't bring that sword over with you the next time you come to visit,

I won't let you in...

grins,

clark
825.19Your never to late to... Well maybe this time.ESKIMO::MURRAYI'd give an arm to be ambidextrousThu Feb 28 1991 04:3751
    
         Hi all,
    
         Umm, perhaps I should have posted this earlier. But, well you
            know how it is, so many notes - so little time.
    
         Anyway, I have a few sources that offer various types of swords
            and such.
    
         I'll have to look for the addresses so I'll post them later.
    
         What I currently have for weapons are...
    
         o Two-handed sword - forged by Starfire @ King Richard's Faire
                              Price: $175.00
         o Long sword       - same as above.
                              Price: $75.00
         o Dagger           - same as above.
                              Price: $45.00
         * these are show weapons with non-sharpened blades.
    
         o Broad-sword (Colada(sp?) style) - From Toledo Spain, sold by
                                             The Muller Company
                                           - Price: $70.00
         o Basket hilted rapier            - same as above.
                                           - Price: $55.00
         * these swords were made in Toledo, Spain and are reproductions
              with non-sharpened blades.
    
    
         o Crusader long sword - Outdoor Sportsman.
                               - Price: $89.99
    
         o Battle axe          - same as above.
                               - Price: $40.00
    
         * both these weapons are reproductions and come sharpened.
    
         From your initial description I think the Crusader sword fits
            what your looking for.
    
         It is about the length of a longsword with a swept forward brass
            guard and a large brass pommel. The handle is of wood and
            is very comfortable in the hand, but it is a heavy weapon
            and definitely requires a scabbard.
    
         If you have any more questions I'll be more than happy to help.
    
                                                                  Mike.
    
  
825.20WHO301::BOWERSDave Bowers @WHOFri Mar 08 1991 19:435
If you check your local papers for "gun shows", sword dealers usually turn up
at these events.  If you're not picky you can usually pick up a REAL 
katana for under $1000.

-dave
825.21Two craftsmenSMURF::REEVESJon Reeves, ULTRIX compiler groupMon Apr 01 1991 23:3216
    Picked up a couple of cards over the weekend of swordsmiths that do
    custom work; they also have catalogs.
    
    Omega Artworks
    498 W. Arlington
    St. Paul, MN  55117
    Mostly fantasy weapons, esp. in the pommel and hilt (but at least one
    very flashy looking blade).
    
    Arms & Armor
    1101 Stinson Blvd.
    Minneapolis, MN  55413
    More into authentic or authentic-looking pieces; some nice looking
    helms as well as the swords (and maces, and...)
    
    I haven't bought anything from either.
825.22Glamdring sounds goodBIGUN::HOLLOWAYSavage Tree Frogs on SpeedFri Jul 03 1992 06:4028
    
    re:.20
    
    There are plenty of "mass-produced" WWII Katanas to be found throughout
    the world.  They are often not much more expensive than the jeep-spring
    chromed up replicas you see in knife shops.  All moderately good
    condition (or salvageable) Japanese swords (esp. here in Oz) have been
    bought back by Japanese interests.
    
    I have a moderately old blade that was damaged by fire and water, but
    is still razor sharp (esp. after I CAREFULLY cleaned the gunge off it)
    however it is effectively worthless due to the corrosion damage, and
    would cost more to restore than it is worth.  It would have to go to
    Japan - and my sources say that is probably a one-way trip.
    
    I also have two Toledo steel replicas - one of an English longsword and
    one of a Cavalier's broadsword (a la the Musketeers).  You can now get
    these in (Oz) specialist knife shops, military surplus stores, martial
    arts suppliers and GOOD hobby shops.  They also invariably stock the
    replica Japanese and Chinese blades too.
    
    They cost from $150 (Aus.) upwards...
    
    My father has shown me recent ads by the Franklin Mint for replicas of
    Excalibur, Charlemagne's sword and a few others - maybe that is a good
    place to try for a fancy costume blade.
    
    David
825.23make it yourself?CGVAX2::PRIESTLEYWed Sep 23 1992 16:5016
    If you have the time and know anyone with a good bench grinder or
    better yet, a large belt grinder/sander, you might want to try making
    your own sword from a good long truck spring and a couple of pieces of
    brass.  It could take a lot of time and would burn through the belts or
    wheels, and your first might not look quite as pretty as you might
    wish, but it would be distinctly yours, and would, if done carefully
    enough, be quite serviceable in a pinch.  You could probably have the
    heat treating/tempering done somewhere locally, maybe a blacksmith type
    in the area could help you.  I had a friend who built a bowie knife
    this way and produced a pretty good utility knife first time around,
    heavy, strong, took a good edge once he got the basic grinding angle
    right, and held it pretty well once tempered.  I have always wanted to
    make my own sword, but have never gotten round to it yet.
    
    Andrew