Any sword collectors here?

[Banter]

a few katanas, a few wall hangers and that Marto. Yes and licensed, one has to be in VIC. But no big deal at $25 thru Australian Knife Collectors (AKC) in Perth.
www.knivesaustralia.com.au

Hi, Volvi, I went to the Japanese sword museum while working in Tokyo, its an amzing place. At the entry is a raw slab of steel ready for shaping and there are video's for sale showing the construction of a sword from mixing up the raw materials into the furnace to placing the handle on the end. Everything is done in the same way but no 2 swords are ever the same. From memory I think the museum holds 3 of the national treasures. One sits in a glass case so you can look down its length from all sides. Its is mind blowing the perfection in shape and line and the curved surface looks machined, its amazing that a person did this. As an apprentice fitter in trade school we were taught to shape steel by hand with hacksaw, chisel, file and scraper making rule holders and other tools so I can really appreciate the skill to achieve this level of craftsmanship. In my opinion, the Japanese sword is one of the finest examples of sword making in the world with the exception of Toledo, Spain, but thatâ€s another story.

Here is there web site http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attrac...0eg9y.html

I have noticed that depending on who you go to the price of the swords vary greatly; if youâ€re interested you may want to look at some of the smaller sword makers in Japan as they are usually from the older houses and trained by past masters.

I only have one knife, and original Cold Steel Katana from 198ish when they were still made in Japan. Its a collectors item now, would love to add to it with a set of three from the same shop, Tanto, Shoto and Katana on a plain light cedar stand, dream on I suppose but one day.

[Volvi]

I dont know why but I find a sword when exceptionally made is a beautiful object even though its an instrument of death. I suppose its craftsmanship, perfection and skill by its maker are its magnet. Of course once swords were used also in rites of honour, something sorely lacking in our modern age. Today mostly ceremonial still an admired instrument. Of course theres also the added fantasy promoted by many films over the decades, whether historically based of fictional. I just have a few but in the end they just sit in their box's for preservation against the elements. Sorta bit pointless I guess. Oh well one has to have interests to break the boredom.

[Banter]

I dont know why but I find a sword when exceptionally made is a beautiful object even though its an instrument of death. I suppose its craftsmanship, perfection and skill by its maker are its magnet. Of course once swords were used also in rites of honour, something sorely lacking in our modern age. Today mostly ceremonial still an admired instrument. Of course theres also the added fantasy promoted by many films over the decades, whether historically based of fictional. I just have a few but in the end they just sit in their box's for preservation against the elements. Sorta bit pointless I guess. Oh well one has to have interests to break the boredom.

I think youâ€re a bit hard on yourself Volvi, thereâ€s a great book called “Out of the fiery furnace” which is still available at Amazon here;
http://www.amazon.com/Out-Fiery-Furnace-...027100441X

Or Iâ€m happy to loan you my copy if I can dig it up, fairly sure I know where it is. The development of metallurgy was always driven by the need for better weapons and tools and often acted as a catalyst for many of the trade routes around the world. Most swords represent the culture they came from and often played a role in the success or failure of that group.

As a weapon I believe they represent the last real form of individual combat in war, though interestingly in the book “All quiet on the Western Front” the main character gives his bayonet away for a shovel for reasons best left alone.

From a ceremonial point of view swords are still used in many of our Masonic rituals and letâ€s not forget that in the UK you are knighted with a sword, bellow is a site with some examples of some ritual Masonic swords.
http://www.globalgear.com.au/category235_1.htm

As mentioned before, Japan considers a number of their swords to be national treasures as do many other countries for one reason or another.

But letâ€s get down to the nitty gritty of it, yes the primary purpose of a sword is to maim or kill and in mass, dominate and control. Does it reflect some sort of violent nature or perversion because you appreciate the craftsmanship of a well made sword, I donâ€t think so. No more than my admiration of the Spitfire and Mustang which after all are winged weapons.

The study of swords by Antique Sword Forensic Consultants, historians and sword experts is well respected and fascinating in that it often opens your eyes to a lot more than a piece of metal designed to kill, for example, the level of technology and the socioeconomic condition of the culture who produced the weapon and in some cases the military tactics of the times.

You donâ€t have to have a huge collection to follow your passion and I also see a well made sword as a thing of beauty, possibly itâ€s the reassuring feeling that you have a well crafted weapon to defend yourself with or just a human reaction to a symbol of power, who knows.

I do know that Toledo, like so much of Spain, is encouraging the renaissance of the old crafts so you may be able to pick up a good example of a Marto sword as they become more common.
The site bellow may help but there are dozens of sword sites, clubs and associations that can also help.

http://www.marto-swords.com/marto-swords.html

I hope this make you feel a bit better, and donâ€t worry your one of the many if not majority of men fascinated by swords. And if you can, get them out of the box and on the wall, there nothing to be ashamed of and often add an interesting touch to a room, if only as a conversation piece.

Kindest Regards,
Fellow Sword Enthusiast
Banter

[Volvi]

Interesting comments there Banter, not sure I can add much.

Yes I have a Toledo sword albeit a show-piece, Ive got the King Solomon in gold. Its a beautiful piece and is symbolic to me, not that swords in ancient Israel would have ever looked like that, but a sword to behold for its beauty, also very long and pretty heavy. Theres lotsa pakistani copies around but they dont come close to the Marto. will upload a pic.

[Volvi]

[attachment=5861][attachment=5862]

[NEMESIS]

Nice write up banter.

Its always good to be passionate about something.

[Mutha]

Seen many swords in museums in Italy and Malta. Amazing!
Pity, I didn't take in fully, what I was admiring.

[BUSGO]

The closest I have come to a sword is the bayonet on my service rifle and the 3 Highlander DVDs in the collection.
Always worth a second look - that last one is bit "different".

[kawasuki]

John Holmes had a descent sword.

[BUSGO]

He also died by the sword.

[NEMESIS]

Live by the sword die by the sword.
lol

Ahh johnny!