| Today, swords are a very popular area of collecting. | | | | There are also many new or reproduction designes |
| They may be displayed along with a knife collection, | | | | specifically for collectors, including fantasy and movie |
| or by themselves on display stands. Many are | | | | swords that are not designed after any sword used |
| elaborately decorated, making them beautiful show | | | | in history. Swords made for decorative use often |
| pieces, while others are more utilitarian. Some are | | | | come with a plaque, wall mounted display, or stand. |
| designed purely for decoration, while others are | | | | Other swords are decorative, yet are meant to be |
| "battle ready," meaning that they can actually be | | | | used in a costume or for reenactments. These often |
| used. | | | | come with a scabbard instead of a display stand. |
| There are several different types of metals usually | | | | They are less delicate than those designed solely for |
| used for swords. Stainless steel is popular and easy | | | | display, although they usually aren't meant for heavy |
| to find in knives designed for display. It is not as | | | | daily use like true historical swords. Other swords for |
| durable as Carbon steel, which is often found in | | | | costume use have an unsharpened, rounded blade. |
| swords designed to be used, such as those used in | | | | They cannot be used as actual swords, but are safe |
| fighting shows at Renaissance festivals, or for | | | | for plays and other productions, and still make |
| fencing. | | | | beautiful display pieces. |
| Sword collectors may specialize in a certain type, | | | | Caring for your sword collection includes occasionally |
| from a medieval broad sword to a samurai sword to | | | | rubbing the blade with oil. Those made of stainless |
| a Cavalry sword used in the Civil War. Nearly every | | | | steel require less care than those made with carbon |
| era of history has a typical style, although swords for | | | | steel blades. If you actually use a sword, such as for |
| weaponry or personal defense began to die out in | | | | fencing, you will need to sharpen it to keep the blade |
| the nineteenth century as reliable guns became | | | | sharp. Display swords should not dull or require |
| available. | | | | sharpening. |
| An Eastern sword, also known as a pirate, European, | | | | Swords are available in nearly any price range. If you |
| or medieval sword, is characterized by its long, | | | | collect swords for aesthetic reasons, any quality of |
| double-edged blade, as well as a straight hand guard. | | | | sword is acceptable as long as you like the |
| Samurai swords have a round hand guard and single | | | | appearance. Swords for actual use, whether in plays |
| edged blade, often with a slight curve. Another type | | | | or reenactments or "battle ready" swords, should be |
| of Asian sword is the Japanese katana, developed | | | | higher quality to withstand this use. When buying a |
| during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. These | | | | sword that you plan to use, it's important to feel it |
| usually have a wooden handle with some sort of | | | | to make sure it is comfortable; swords vary greatly |
| wrapping, and often a scabbard to match. You can | | | | in their overall weight and how this weight is |
| find authentic swords for the past several decades, | | | | balanced, which can affect how well you can handle |
| or reproduction and fantasy versions of earlier types. | | | | the knife. |