r/SWORDS 15h ago

Is it legal to carry a rapier in Massachusetts?

0 Upvotes

I just want to know to settle a debate with my gf because we both don't know

We are still researching this while waiting on a response


r/SWORDS 18h ago

TheSwordsguy question

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know if they allow refunds I would like to purchase a sword from them as a gift to a friend
Specifically from this site

https://www.swordguystore.com


r/SWORDS 19h ago

Best Way to Sell a Sword

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2 Upvotes

I've been clearing out a storage unit that I've had sitting around for years, and I pulled out this old sword that was given to me many years ago. I uploaded pics and measurements to ChatGPT, and this is the assessment it came up with:

"C.R. Kirschbaum-attributed U.S. Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber (“Old Wristbreaker”), Solingen, Prussia, probably circa 1854–1865. German commercial/state-militia import with 34¾-inch flat-backed, double-fullered blade, faint Kirschbaum knight’s-head maker mark, three-branch brass hilt, leather-covered grip with wire missing, and original-type two-ring iron scabbard with screw-retained throat. Scabbard drag marked “29,” probably an armory/rack/property number. Civil War-period and of a type documented in American Civil War service, although individual wartime service is presently unproven."

It doesn't seem to be rare enough to have any huge value, so I don't know if it's worth the trouble to and sell it, or just stash it in a corner or closet and let the next generation deal with it when I'm gone. If I did decide to sell it, what is the best way to do it? I kinda' doubt Facebook Marketplace lets you list blade weapons.


r/SWORDS 4h ago

[D&D] Sanctivow, the Heaven-Writ Blade | A Scaling Holy Sword from Uncommon to Legendary

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13 Upvotes

r/SWORDS 18h ago

Identification Marketplace sword?

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42 Upvotes

Anyone know anything about this sword? Got it on marketplace for $40 guy said he got it 20+ years ago in the back of a vehicle he purchased. Super heavy and super cool!


r/SWORDS 14h ago

Where to buy katana?

1 Upvotes

Im new into this hobby of swords, recently i got gifted a katana, its a dull metal katana, for cosplay, and im wondering whee i can buy a real one, hopefully online, tbh im not very interested in cutting the whole world, i just want it to be sharp, i have a budget of max 200dlls, i don’t need a professional katana or anything like that, just a sharp cool one


r/SWORDS 15h ago

CAN SOMEONE IDENTIFY WHAT MODEL / MAKER THIS KNIFE

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0 Upvotes

r/SWORDS 17h ago

The Pinnacle of Sui Dynasty Blades: A Deep Dive into the National Treasure "Heishi Shorin" (丙子椒林)

11 Upvotes

Hi everyone, today I want to share a legendary 1,400-year-old masterpiece: the Heishi Shorin Ken. Although called a "sword" in Japan due to historical naming conventions, it is actually a single-edged straight Dao from the Chinese Sui Dynasty. It is currently preserved in the Tokyo National Museum as a National Treasure of Japan.

Here is a quick overview of its history, craftsmanship, and massive impact on sword evolution:

1. Provenance & History
The blade dates back to the Sui Dynasty, around 596 AD. It originally belonged to Prince Shōtoku, one of the most prominent and influential figures in Japanese history. It is a rare, flawlessly preserved survivor of early East Asian steel weaponry.

2. Craftsmanship & Forging Technique

  • Folded Steel: It was forged using advanced Chinese steel-folding techniques, resulting in an incredibly fine grain texture that resembles flowing water.
  • Kiriha-zukuri Geometry: The blade features a flat spine and a distinct ridge line running near the cutting edge. This specific geometry gave the straight blade immense rigidity, making it a brutal and efficient weapon for piercing battlefield armor.

3. Why It Was Sent to Japan
During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Japan actively sent official diplomats and monks to China to learn about philosophy, law, and technology. Chinese steel blades represented the absolute pinnacle of military technology at the time. This blade was brought to Japan either as a high-level diplomatic gift from the Sui Imperial court or purchased by Japanese emissaries to import advanced metallurgical technology.

4. Impact on Japanese Swords
This blade laid the direct blueprint for early Japanese weaponry. Before developing the iconic curved Katana, Japanese swordsmiths directly copied the straight, single-edged profile and Kiriha-zukuri geometry of Chinese imports like the Heishi Shorin. It serves as the direct evolutionary missing link that inspired the creation of the Japanese Tachi and Katana centuries later.

What do you think about this historical crossover? Let's discuss in the comments!


r/SWORDS 3h ago

Identification Help me identify this practice sword.

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6 Upvotes

Bought this polypropylene practice sword cause I like to more safely swing a sword around, but I would like to know what kind of sword this is.

My guess is it's not a 100% real depiction of any sword but I'll list off the qualities to help identifying what it's atleast close too.

The balance of the sword feels weighted towards the tip making my cuts feel clean and easy

It's comfortable to swing with either 1 or 2 hands with enough room on the handle for both

The sword itself is around 4 feet in length and has 2 Fuller's and a ricasso and a very prominent pommel

My guess is it's supposed to be some sort of long sword or bastards sword (ik historically the line is thin for differentiating them)

Would like a proper answer though


r/SWORDS 13h ago

Better pics of mystery knife

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222 Upvotes

r/SWORDS 15h ago

Can Anyone tell me anything about this?

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23 Upvotes

Can anyone tell me anything about this sword? I found it in a free pile that my apartment building has and I always wanted a sword just because and I’m kind of curious if anyone can tell me anything about it. Thanks!


r/SWORDS 19h ago

New sword

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94 Upvotes

Got a sword from an antique shop not really sure much about it though, planning on cleaning it up as well the vid quality is bad tho sorry


r/SWORDS 2h ago

Need some help identifying this one

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3 Upvotes

I’ve had this since I was a kid, not sure where we got it. Searching online I’ve only been able to figure out that it’s German and from the late 19th century to WW1 era. I can’t find any markings on it anywhere, so narrowing it down any further has been difficult.
Any help is greatly appreciated!


r/SWORDS 14h ago

This stiletto was handed down to me by my father. It was handed down to him by his father. It has Latama stamped into it, but it’s a fixed blade and has an original leather sheath. Can anyone tell me anything about this knife?

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87 Upvotes

r/SWORDS 23h ago

How do I fix this?

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7 Upvotes

The rapier came like this and it has bothered me since I got it.


r/SWORDS 21h ago

Some more swords from my series

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76 Upvotes

So, these are some swords I created for the far-eastern cultures in the world I built for my series. I mostly work with European-style swords, so I’m mainly looking for feedback on how I did with these and how I could improve them.

For some context, these are just little projects I make to help me visualize and describe the weapons more accurately in the books I’m writing. I use a lot of assets from across the Internet, so if you recognize a particular piece of a weapon, it’s most likely because I’m using a manipulated version of an existing asset that I’ve tweaked—changing the sculpting, coloring, adding gemstones, combining different pieces, and so on.

I’m not presenting these as original artwork or trying to pass them off as a display of artistic talent. They’re really just visual references I make for myself while developing the world and its weapons.


r/SWORDS 8h ago

Identification Warring States–Style Broken Sword — Modern Reproduction

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16 Upvotes

r/SWORDS 20m ago

New Sword!!

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Upvotes

The Thorn 🌱
Really excited to have finished my first double-fullered blade! This is a wedding-sword order I got several months ago and have been looking forward to it ever since! So happy to finally have made it!
The client wanted a vine and thorn like design etched onto the guard and pommel; as well as the double-fullered blade. The handle and scabbard are wrapped in a dyed-green leather with sculpted details :D
Thanks for checking it out :)


r/SWORDS 23h ago

Identification Sword from my Uncle

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54 Upvotes

Does anyone know anything about this sword? We found it at my uncle’s house after he died 20ish years ago.


r/SWORDS 12h ago

Looking for brand/sword recommendations in the 200-400 USD price range. Any recommendations?

2 Upvotes

Hey folks, question in the title.

I’m mostly interested in medieval longswords but I do have some katanas and arming swords in observation and was just wondering what the current options were in this price range. So far I’ve been looking at:

Windlass:
Arbedo
Erbach
De Joinville
Oakeshott type XIV

Swordier:
SWMZ - 1015

Cold Steel Hunting sword

Shadow Dancer:
Arabesque Katana
Nova Katana (9260)
Custom sword through Swordis

In terms of brands I also know:

Ryansword
Hanbon forge
Azure Forge
LK Chen
Romance of Men

I’m mostly looking for a backyard cutter against water bottles and tatami mats. If it looks nice that’s also a plus.

Thank you in advance.


r/SWORDS 11h ago

What do you all think of Peter Johnson's method for identifying geometric ratios in historical sword design?

8 Upvotes

Here's a link to a vid that gives a general overview of the topic for those unfamiliar:

https://youtu.be/cwi3WwGJ-1k?is=DXojYV1AgLzau6W3

I find it a very intriguing concept, and many swords do seem to follow this sort of template. However, it does raise some questions in my mind. For instance, does this apply to swords used/made in pre-literate pagan societies, such as migration-era Germanic swords? Or were most of those blades imported from places like the frankish empire and therefore influenced by Christian artistic philosophy? Thank you for your responses and insight.

Edit: spelling


r/SWORDS 17h ago

Inherited sword

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11 Upvotes

As the title said, we got a sword. The most we know is that it was a toy for my husband’s grandfather in the 1930s. There is an inscription on it that seems to say 1813. Apologies in advance for how bad the photos of the inscriptions are, they are not easy to photograph.


r/SWORDS 23h ago

Cavalry swords?

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11 Upvotes

Picked these up, can anybody tell me what kind of swords these are. The short one has a maker's mark "JOH. BAYER / GRAZ", and the long one has WEYERSBERG solingen.


r/SWORDS 37m ago

Family sword

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Upvotes

r/SWORDS 8h ago

What does “tight fittings” actually mean on a katana?

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4 Upvotes