Consider the purpose of the sword. A decorative sword has a very dull blade. A practice sword has a slightly sharpened sword. A practical sword has a razor sharp blade that is only for trained individuals.
Learn to care for your sword. Some swords, such as Japanese swords, require very specific and meticulous care. You should know the basic techniques for handling and cleaning your sword.
Decide on the length of the sword. Make sure that you check local regulations to find out if there are laws concerning blade length. Keep in mind that some regulations will apply to only practice and practical swords.
Think about the price range you can afford. Check to see what swords are available in that price range. It is best to purchase a new sword if it is a practice or practical sword.
Find a reputable sword dealer that can help you make an informed decision so you buy the right sword. The dealer should be able to give you background information about the sword and basic care instructions.
Practice sword safety. Always hold the blade toward the ground and keep the sword sheathed when possible.
Tips & Warnings
Never, under any circumstance, point a sword at a living creature.
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List of Swords
Movie Swords
How to Appraise Antique Swords
How to Become A Sword Master
How to Disarm An Opposing Sword Fighter
How to Collect Samurai Swords
How to Use A Sword Cane
How to Draw A Sword
How to Collect Swords
How to Choose the Right Swords
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All About Swords
Other Weapons
Other Replicas
Epic Newsletter
Coming Soon
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Be sure to read the information covered in the previous sections of this article. Below is a list of swords that Epic Weapons currently have information on:
GI Joe Storm Shadow Katana - The Storm Shadow katana features a hand forged high carbon steel blade with double fuller grooves, etched emblem, and a leather and rayskin wrapped grip. This sword is precisely replicated from the actual movie prop and includes a wood scabbard with authentic details, a decorative display stand, and a certificate of authenticity. Each sword is individually serial numbered for collectibility. 38 1/4" overall length, 27" blade,1.5" wide blade.
GI Joe Snake Eyes Sword - Snake Eyes katana features a hand forged high carbon steel false-edged blade with double fuller grooves, etched G.I. Joe emblem, and a unique lightweight skeletonized handle design. This sword is precisely replicated from the actual movie prop and includes a wood scabbard with authentic details, a decorative display stand, and a certificate of authenticity. Each sword is individually serial numbered for collectibility.
Highlander: Duncan MacLeod Sword - There are four versions on the market - one that is "custom" and limited edition by the original propmaker of Highlander: The Series: Sal D'Aquila at http://www.pointgallery.com - the sword is entitled "The Musashi". It is based on the first season of the series and is currently the only fully functional Highlander sword on the market. The second version is the "Sword of the Dragon" by Marto of Spain and is by nature a decorative sword of 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat, and was used in seaons 2-6 of the series. The third and forth versions are various fakes from Taiwan at around $40 - 90 and $135.
Highlander: Connor Macleod Sword - There are two versions on the market - the official sword is available through The Official Highlander Site at http://www.highlander-official.com/ - the sword is entitled "The Sword of Connor". It is a near-perfect rendition of the famous movie sword, but is a decorative sword made from 420 stainless steel by Martespa of Spain and is not intended for combat. No "combat" versions exist on the market. Custom versions begin at US$4,000 depending on design complexity. The second version is a fake from Taiwan sold at around US$40-90.
Highlander: Sword of the Kurgan - There is no official Kurgan sword available on the market. There is a remote knock-off/look-alike made by the Hanwei factory in China, distributed through C.A.S. Iberia. Side blades at the guard eject. However, the sword is marketed as not intended for combat. We have no performance/handling data on this sword. Custom makers may not want to make this sword for copyright/lawsuit reasons, and will not make a detachable blade version because of the dangers and compromises of structural integrity of a detachable blade if the sword were wielded or used.
Highlander: Toledo Salamanca - The sword of Iman Fasil was a prop sword that is not available commercially. Historically it did not exist. The blade was custom forged as a prop blade for the movie; the hilt was a redecorated hilt from a decorative sword that existed in the 1980's. There may be similar versions (though not jewel-encrusted) on the market.
Star Trek: Klingon Battleth - There is no official Battleth on the market that is licensed by Paramount. Custom knifemaker Gil Hibben apparently has been knighted the official armorer of the Klingon Empire and modified his famous Raven knife which appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (held by Jadzia Dax) and Lursa and Betor of Star Trek: Generations. He has made a Kah'les sword which appeared in Blade magazine. There are a variety of Battleth-lookalike weapons on the Internet made out of steel (extremely heavy), aluminum (lighter), and titanium (lighter). We have no performance reviews of either.
Blade: Sword of the Daywalker - The vampire hunter's official movie sword from the motion picture "Blade" is a decorative sword, not intended for combat, made of stainless steel. Factory-X is the official licensed holder from Marvel Comics. There are no "battleworthy" versions of the market. Prop-maker Tony Swatton will not make them due to copyright and lawsuit considerations, and publically requests that people purchase the official "Blade" sword instead.
Sleepy Hollow - No official production versions of this sword exist.
13th Warrior - The sword wielded by Antonio Banderas in the film was a prop. No commercial versions exist.
The Mask of Zorro - The official movie sword is purely decorative and not intended for combat. Made of 420J2 stainless steel, manufactured by United Cutlery.
Excalibur - Based on the famous film "Excalibur" there are two, neither of which are official. No official "Excalibur" exists. One is a purely decorative sword made from a soft Zinc-Aluminum alloy and is manufactured by Denix. The other is a special limited edition entitled "The Sword of Kings" as an exclusive by Albion Armorers, Ian MacAllen and is the most attractive and well-constructed to date, intended for decoration and not combat. No pure "combat" versions exist on the market.
Blind Fury - No official production versions of this sword exists. The closest production sword similar in looks and function is the C.A.S. Iberia "Zatoichi". Be aware that some States may classify this as a cane sword and thus the sword may be classified as a concealable weapon and may be illegal in your geographical region.
3 Musketeers - The swords from "3 Musketeers" starring Kiefer Sutherland and Charlie Sheen do not have any official production versions on the market. However, the blades of the swords were made by Del Tin Armi Antiche who has a line of swords sold through Del Tin Dealers.
Final Fantasy VII "Cloud" Sword - No official production versions of this sword exists. Most custom sword makers will not make this because it is impossible to make a steel version of this, as it would exceed 30 lbs. and be impossible to wield. It is possible to find a craftsman in your area to make this out of aluminum or titanium alloy, but it would still be unwieldly and prone to break at the handle due to improper weight distribution. Do not expect anything based on a cartoon or video game to function in real life because seldom do these mediums support the laws of physics.
Conan Movie/TV Swords - Both an official movie sword and an official television series sword is made by Marto of Spain out of 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat. Albion Armorers has a "Sword of Crom" designed by prop maker Jody Samson. Kris Cutlery has a non-official "Barbarian" sword made of 5160 steel, heat treated to performance - and though much more simplified it is the best "combat" version on the market.
Xena - There are two types on the market. The official one is well constructed and handsome and is made by Marto of Spain with the official Xena logo on the blade. 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat. The other is a plain knockoff/look-alike made in either India or Pakistan. Heavy and poorly balanced.
Hercules - The official Hercules "Sword of Veracity" is made of stainless steel and is a decorative piece, not intended for combat..
Dragonheart / Sword of Bowen - The official Sword of Bowen is made in Spain out of 420 stainless steel, not intended for combat. Made by United Cutlery.
End of Days - The sword that Arnold Schwarzeneggar uses in the end is a Marto brand "Sword of The Apocalypse".
Army of Darkness - The sword that Ash uses at the end of the film is an Eastern Barbarian Sword from Museum Replicas.
Braveheart - The Official "Braveheart" sword is made by Marto of Spain, made from 420 stainless steel as a purely decorative sword, not intended for combat. The blademaker whose swords were used in "Braveheart" has a version of this "Early Claymore".
Beastmaster - No commercial version available.
Clash of the Titans - No commercial version available of the prop helmet, prop sword and prop shield wielded by Perseus.
The Messenger - Prop swords made by armorer in Europe. No other information available. No commercial production versions on the market.
Joan of Arc (Television Series) - Custom prop especially made for the film. No commercial versions available.
First Knight - The sword wielded by Arthur (Sean Connery) was a prop made especially for the film. No commercial versions available. There are some remotely similar stainless steel decorative swords made by Marto, Spain. Richard Gere's sword was also a prop with no commercial versions on the market.
Lord of the Rings - No official versions endorsed by the Tolkien Estate are currently on the market.
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Often times we are asked whether a particular sword of a movie exists. These are movie props and not necessarily real swords. Movie props are generally outfitted with lighter and soft aluminum alloy blades which minimize the wear-and-tear on actors' arms during those long hours of filming.
However, those wanting a "real" sword based on a particular movie, the solution is not necessarily putting a "real" blade in the same furnishings. Often times, if the weight distribution is incorrect, the sword can be completely useless as a weapon from a historical or battlefield or martial vantage.
This point is extremely important because while many are inspired by Hollywood films, the fact remains that historically swords were made to serve a function; making swords into a fantasy image that is non-functional is impractical, costly, and unrealistic. The worst example is the "Cloud" sword from the Final Fantasy VII video game which many teenagers have been asking us about.
If a sword is not listed here, we do not have current information on it.
Do not expect anything based on a cartoon or video game to function in real life because seldom do these mediums support the laws of physics.
Where to Buy
If a sword is not listed here, it probably does not exist on the market as a mass-production item. That being the case, swords may have to be custom-made.
Custom sword-makers and prop-makers tend not to make identical copies of movie swords due to copyright and lawsuit considerations. For European-style swords, custom work can begin at $400 - $1,400 depending on how elaborate the project is. For authentic Japanese-style work, swords can begin at $2,000.
Also, the laws of physics and structural considerations must be taken into account. "Detachable" blades like the sword of the Kurgan on Highlander are not only impractical but dangerous (fly-away blades are a health hazard, and such a sword is structurally too unsound to be used for parrying).
Custom makers are also listed among our Links pages, accessible via our Main Menu. Many of them peruse the General Forum. If sword makers do not respond to your inquiry, it is likely that it is not a project they want to pick up for the aforementioned reasons, or your price expectation cannot be met, or your sword concept is unrealistic.
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Know what type of sword you wish to appraise. Is it a medieval sword? Samurai sword? A sword from the American Revolution or Civil War?
Check the craftsmanship of the sword for design, function and durability. Remember that different types of swords are designed for different purposes. For instance, Japanese samurai swords were generally designed for cutting and slicing, while medieval swords were geared more towards thrusting at gaps in the opponent's armor. Samurai swords were wielded with two hands, while medieval swords were held in only one.
Check the hilt of the sword for carvings or designs. The pommel (the knob at the tip of the hilt) may be carved or molded to look like an animal, such as an eagle or a dolphin. This can add to a sword's value.
Check the blade for sword marks, which may provide clues to a sword's age and origin and help you appraise it. With antique swords from around the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, you will generally find brief text at the bottom of the blade, near the hilt, indicating the manufacturer and the year the sword was made. Antique samurai swords have markings as well, called Horimono. They usually extend up the length of the blade.
Know the type of blade of the sword. Check how many grooves (fullers) the blade has and the blade of the blade.
Check the hilt for the style of grip the sword is and how it is designed. Where is the hand placed in relation to the hilt? This can indicate the style of sword, time frame and region where it was made.
Check out the Sword Forum website, which offers several methods of antique sword appraisal.
Tips & Warnings
Keep in mind that a recently made sword can easily be given a fake sword mark, indicating a year and manufacturer that would increase its value. Be sure to check the sword for signs of aging and wear, to help verify authenticity.
Different blade, hilt and pommel types do not have universally assigned names, so be familiar with the descriptions and know what to look for in the sword.
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Find a sword. It all begins with the sword and it's very important that you locate the appropriate sword for your size and weight, reach and fighting style. Sword masters may fight with a variety of swords in order to become more versatile, but most have one true sword they like to stick with. Never settle for anything cheap or that lacks authenticity.
Find a mentor. Some individuals may seek a mentor before they locate a sword. It's more logical to find the sword first, but a mentor will provide valuable advice on a great sword that fits your needs. Mentors have spent years in sword fighting and may even be sword masters themselves. They'll serve as teacher and coach, helping improve basic fundamentals and skills.
Find a sparring partner. Find another individual with a similar skill level (preferably a little better than you) to work on individual fighting skills and to improve your overall ability. Once you have mastered the basic skills and techniques, upgrade to a sparring partner who will really test your ability. Most sword masters have one sparring partner they really trust, but may fight against three or four others to keep things fresh and to constantly change the pace.
Enter competitions and gain recognition. Once you master the basic skills, it's now appropriate to enter a sword fighting competition. If you win and win often, you'll advance to stiffer competition levels and nationally recognized tournaments. Sword masters dominate the field of competition, so you must be in the upper one to two percent. Respect and admiration will build your level as a sword master.
Teach and mentor others. A great sword master should never hide or mask his own abilities. Just as you have learned everything you know from another mentor, you should also provide guidance to young fighters looking also to become sword masters.
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Make sure you have proper sword-fighting equipment
Engage your opponent. This merely means that you're actively in a fight with an opponent wielding a sword. A fighting sword generally has a guard around the hand.
Parry the thrust of your opponent. Make sure that your exposes his wrist to capture by your off-hand. You'll probably need to practice this move before you can be successful.
Step into your opponent's area and take hold of her sword guard using your off-hand. As you do so, hold your sword against hers so she can't thrust.
Twist his sword so his wrist isn't at a comfortable angle for maintaining a grip. This requires that your opponent relinquish the sword, and so will be disarmed.
Tips & Warnings
Don't sword fight without appropriate safety gear. Someone could lose an eye or an arm.
Don't apply this technique in a fencing match. That sport has rules that aren't applied to general sword fighting, such as not using your hands to seize an opponent.
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Familiarize yourself with terminology. Most of the terms relate to the types of swords, blades, makers and techniques used to make the samurai swords. The best way to learn them is to study different magazines, books and Internet articles that are about samurai swords.
Decide what type and quality of swords you want to collect. The quality of the sword is the most important aspect in collecting samurai swords. There are three basic styles of samurai swords. They are the Kantana, the Wakizashi and the Tanto.
Consider what type of steel you want your blades to be made of. High quality samurai swords are either made of high carbon steel or folded steel. There are some samurai swords that are made of stainless steel, but it's not the best quality of steel to buy for your collection.
Make sure your samurai swords are authentic. A true samurai sword is forged. Every forged sword is unique and is a testament of the craftsmanship put into the making of the sword. When you buy your samurai sword make sure that the seller can prove that the sword you are buying is authentic.
Set up a display area for your swords. Once you have bought your swords you need a place to show off your collection. A well lit room that doesn't have high traffic is best. Remember that samurai swords are real and you need to keep children away from the swords.
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Pull on the handle of the sword until the hidden sword slides out of the cane. The cane will now be in two pieces, the handle with the sword attached and the empty cane that serves as the sword's scabbard.
Hold the handle so the sword is facing up and outwards. Wrap your hand around the handle so you can easily move the sword.
Insert the blade into the empty cane to put the sword away. Press down on the handle until the sword clicks.
Clean your sword when necessary to prevent rust. Cleaning the sword every two to three months should be sufficient. Clean it more often if it is frequently used or becomes dirty.
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Decide what kind of sword you want to draw by first choosing between Western and Eastern sword types. Western swords generally have larger, straight blades and larger hilts and handles while the Eastern variety have curved blades and lighter handles.
Begin from what will be the beginning of the blade (where it meets the hilt of the sword). Draw a straight line (for Western swords) or a lightly curving line (for Eastern swords) that extends as long as you want the sword to be. For Western swords make a symmetrical triangle at the end of the sword and draw another straight line back to the hilt. For Eastern swords, stop at the end and then draw a curving line back to the hilt.
Extend a line at the beginning of the sword to draw the hilt. Make the hilt of your Western sword symmetrical and large with either upward or downward turning ends. Then return to the handle. For the Eastern sword, draw the hilt by making a lopsided oval around the end of the sword.
Create the handle on your sword by making a simple rounded extension of Eastern swords. Make downward angled lines on the Eastern sword's handle to represent the wraps of the grip. On your Western sword make a straight handle that ends with a circle that holds a jewel.
Add a line down the center of the Western sword to show the beveling of the sword. For the Eastern sword add a ribbon that's attached to and wrapped around the handle.
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Decide if you are going to collect swords from one era, time period, or part of the world. You can collect swords from whatever you want and have no rhyme or reason for it. Sword collecting is an individual choice.
Designate a place to display your swords. This can be a room especially for them or on the walls of your house in different rooms.
Look at several places to find the swords you want to buy. You can find them in many places including estate sales, online or live auctions, shows specializing in weapons, and from other collectors.
Inspect the sword before purchasing it no matter how much or how little money it costs. Sometimes a cheap sword is a cheap sword and not worth having. Other times it will be an antique and need to be assessed for damage prior to handing over your money.
Tips & Warnings
There are seven basic types of sword collecting: Japanese swords, Asian, Indonesian, European, small 18th Century swords, Ceremonial swords, and hunting swords.
If you plan to hang your swords on your walls, buy the proper sword-hanging hooks so they don't get damaged.
Remember that sword collecting can be a long process, especially if there is a particular sword you are interested in.
Don't buy a sword you don't want just because it has a low price on it.
Do not clean or wipe your sword with anything abrasive. They do make metal cleaning products for swords.
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Pick the sword type that you want. A knight sword and a Japanese sword are two of the most popular types of swords. If you are starting a sword collection, you should research the look and availability of the type of sword you want.
Consider the purpose of the sword. A decorative sword has a very dull blade. A practice sword has a slightly sharpened sword. A practical sword has a razor sharp blade that is only for trained individuals.
Learn to care for your sword. Some swords, such as Japanese swords, require very specific and meticulous care. You should know the basic techniques for handling and cleaning your sword.
Decide on the length of the sword. Make sure that you check local regulations to find out if there are laws concerning blade length. Keep in mind that some regulations will apply to only practice and practical swords.
Think about the price range you can afford. Check to see what swords are available in that price range. It is best to purchase a new sword if it is a practice or practical sword.
Find a reputable sword dealer that can help you make an informed decision so you buy the right sword. The dealer should be able to give you background information about the sword and basic care instructions.
Practice sword safety. Always hold the blade toward the ground and keep the sword sheathed when possible.
Tips & Warnings
Never, under any circumstance, point a sword at a living creature.
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