Swords in Popular Culture

Filed under: Swords - 13 Feb 2012  | Spread the word !

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Swords have been around since the beginning of time and have been the weapons of choice in times of war and peace. Perhaps the most beautiful type of swords is the rapier, which is one of the French models of swords. A rapier is a slender sharply pointed sword, ideally used for thrusting attacks, used mainly in Early Modern Europe during the 16th and the 17th century. The rapier generally refers to relatively long swords, characterized by a complex hilt, which is constructed to give protection to the hand wielding it. Nowadays, the only places where you can see these wonderful swords are museums and movies.

This type of swords allowed for fast reactions, and with a long reach, the rapier was well suited to civilian combat in the 1700s. As military style cutting and thrusting swords continued to develop and evolve, to meet the needs of the civilian combat and decorum, these swords eventually became lighter, shorter and less difficult to wear. This is when the rapier gave way to the small swords.

Despite the common usage of the rapier swords in the 16-17th century, many films set in these periods have swordsmen using these types of swords. Actual rapier combat was hardly the lightning thrust and parry depicted. Many new movies have used rapiers rather than later swords, although the fight choreography has not always accurately portrayed historical fencing techniques. Rapiers are also often featured in video games. For instance, in the hit TV show Highlander, one of the swords models is the rapier, used by Richie Ryan. One of the most famous swords is that of the Spanish hero, Zorro, who is a master swordsman who utilizes the rapier. The swords were also used in the television series Queen of Swords , that feature the use of a rapier. The swords-master of the series studied the Spanish sword fighting technique and wanted a unique style for the heroine. He is also the one who used the same swords fighting technique in Highlander.

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Facts About Japanese Swords

Filed under: Swords - 19 Jan 2012  | Spread the word !

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Japanese swords are not only known all around the world, but there actually is a certain charm and mystery associated with the use of these unique weapons. Japanese swords are considered to be traditional weapons in the country, but you should know that these swords include numerous types of models. Most people are familiar with swords and their models or use from various movies, but you have to know that there is more to these amazing weapons than that. So, the models of Japanese swords existent nowadays are going to vary depending on a series of factors, including size, method of manufacture and material from which they are made of. 

One of the most common types of Japanese swords is the Shinogi-Zukuri katana. Other types of Japanese swords are tsurugi, odachi, nodachi, tachi and also tanto and wakizashi sword. Of course, the main element distinguishing these swords is given by size. However, one very interesting fact about all these Japanese swords types and models is that they can be easily found and purchased. So, if you are passionate about Japanese culture and you want to collect antique objects, you have nothing to worry about, at least when it comes to these weapons, as they are still commonly seen today. In fact, in Japan, swords are not considered to be weapons. Under the Japanese law, they are classified as objects of art and regardless of their models, they can be bought by anyone. However, to own them, you will need a certification. 

The first Japanese sword was designed before 987. Of course, the model has been very much changed and improved throughout the years, as the manufacturing process of stronger, but lighter metals, improved. One of the most important events in the development of the Japanese sword is linked to the Mongol invasion of Japan, which dates back to the 13th century. The need for swords grew with the increasing interest from samurai. So, during the 15th and 16th centuries, the Japanese sword knew its most impressive changes, becoming easier to use. Still, all models of Japanese swords are really interesting, being representative for the culture and development of this Asian country.

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Samurai Swords

Filed under: Swords - 19 Nov 2011  | Spread the word !

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Since the beginning of time, swords have always been the weapon of choice when it comes to combat in a war. Swords come in all shapes and sizes and have been used throughout the Roman, Greek and Japanese Empire. In times of war, the best combination a warrior could use was a sword with a shield to protect him from his foes. Nowadays, swords belong in museums where people can admire and study them closely.

Perhaps one of the most famous type of swords is the Japanese katana. They are recognizable due to their special form and design and of course easily handled by the samurai, whose skills at handling swords is more than extraordinary. It took a lot of time and effort for the future samurai to wield these swords for a quick and swift execution.

In the past, only the most prestigious warriors could benefit from such swords, crafted by the finest smiths. At first, the swords were straight, but samurai soon realized that it was not as effective as they thought, so the craftsmen modified the shape, curving it a little. Due to this change, the swords became more powerful when put to use. The process of receiving one of these swords was a difficult one, and future warriors had to learn to handle wooden sticks at first. Even in practice, the most gifted of the samurai used these wooden sticks as swords, since the swords themselves were so dangerous.

There were barbaric and cruel ways of testing swords being sharp enough. New swords were tested by using them on the bodies of criminals to see if they were sharp enough. Today, samurai swords have become more of an accessory, rather than a fighting tool. People buy swords to decorate their house with, they will personalize their sword, by engraving their name in Japanese characters. Collecting them has become an important hobby for some people.

Since historic swords are not that affordable for the commoners, they usually end up in some window of an eccentric collector on behind the glass case of a museum. If you know where to look, you will always find the perfect sword for you.

 

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Medieval Swords Interesting Facts

Filed under: Swords - 12 Oct 2011  | Spread the word !

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Nowadays, swords are used in a whole different way from the one in which they were used hundreds of years ago. Swords were considered to be the most powerful weapons in the Middle Ages and they were used mostly by knights. Handling swords and using them to battle was a must for those ages. And learning how to fight using a sward requires a great technique and it is considered to be a type of art. Medieval swords were used with an armor and the swords were the primary types of weapons used during major battles. Medieval swords have very much evolved during the years, both when it comes to their use and the materials from which they were made of.

To handle it easily, a sword has to be made out of a not too heavy material, for you to be able to use it without any efforts. Still, it has to be strong enough to resist during the fight and to help you win. With time, Medieval swords have evolved, becoming stronger and lighter. Anyway, during the Medieval times, there were many types of swords used by knights and they included the Broadsword, Flachion sword, Longsword, Scimitar and Greatsword. Well, if the first type of sword on this list was the smallest one known in Medieval times, the last one was the biggest type of Medieval sword, measuring up to 72 inches. Nowadays, people tend to think that Medieval swords were very heavy. Although they surely were not light at all, the weight of Medieval swords is not as impressive as people seem to imagine.

To be able to use Medieval swords, knights had to train for a long period of time. It requires skills and abilities, but also strategy to be able to handle a sword during a battle. How to immobilize and disarm the opponent were some of the techniques that all knights had to posses. And you should know that knights were not the only ones who used swords. Knowing how to hold a sword and how to use it was something that many people in Medieval times considered to be a must.

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Best Samurai Swords

Filed under: Swords - 24 Aug 2011  | Spread the word !

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Collecting unique, engraved, all size, swords is a passion that many people seem to share today. Well, Samurai swords are some of the most popular objects that can be included in this category. Actually, Samurai swords are so much appreciated because they are impressive, both due their designs and the mystery that can be linked to them and their power. Samurai swords are very powerful and this is one of the most important characteristics that can be linked to them.

Samurai swords are easy to recognize because of their special design. Samurai need to learn how to use such swords before actually being able to handle them and skills are extremely important. Initially, Samurai, in their training process use wood swords, at least until getting the skills to handle real Samurai swords. Nowadays, Samurai swords can be easily purchased by anyone. Collectors love to buy swords, regardless of their types, and Samurai swords should definitely not be missing from a collection. For Samurai movie fans, having at least one sword of this kind surely is a very important aspect. On the other hand, toy Samurai swords are very much appreciated by children, and they love to pretend, in their games, that they are Samurai.

Luckily, Samurai swords can be easily purchased from different online shops and you will be able to buy the one you like best or at the piece that can be described as most fitted for your personal collection. Now, the best thing about online shopping is that you can check out all products and find the one you like best, being able to order it from the comfort of your home. And once you find a sword you love, you can place your order and wait for the product to be delivered to you at home. Samurai swords are kind of cool to have in your home, as they can also be used for home decorating, if a room has a certain movie theme. Well, you can buy Samurai swords and offer them to a collector when you are looking for a perfect, high quality gift. And you can never be wrong with a great, stylish sword.

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Make Money by Collecting Swords

Filed under: Swords - 23 Feb 2011  | Spread the word !

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Because of the weakened state of the economy, people from all walks of life have been looking for creative ways to make money. If you are one of these people, one possible way to start making some extra money is by collecting swords. What’s great about this option for making more money is not only can it be profitable, but it’s also very cool. When people come over to your house, they will be quite impressed when you are able to show them some very impressive swords.

Obviously, buying swords is not going to make you any money. In fact, it’s going to cost you money. However, what will make you money is buying swords and then reselling them. In some cases, you may need to hold on to a sword for awhile before you are able to resell it. However, because swords are a very popular item, you’ll find that you only have to keep many of them in your collection for a short period of time before you are able to sell them to someone else for a profit.

The key to succeeding at this task is educating yourself about what kinds of swords collectors like to purchase. One way to do this is by looking through online marketplaces like eBay at what is and isn’t selling. You can also attend events in person and network with other collectors. Once you have an understanding of what’s popular, you can start looking for swords at places where their prices are going to be lower. From garage sales to gun shows to flea markets, there are a lot of different places to find swords at low enough prices that you will be able to resell them for a profit.

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What Makes Samurai Swords So Great?

Filed under: Swords - 10 Feb 2011  | Spread the word !

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Although there have been many types of swords created throughout different centuries, samurai swords stand out as one of the most impressive swords ever created. There are quite a few reasons that make these swords so special. For one, they have been continuously honed for an extremely long time. Samurai swords were first introduced in the eighth century. Since that time, the skilled artisans who create these swords have continued to refine their craft.

Originally, samurai swords had a straight blade. However, over the course of time, the samurai using these swords realized that a straight blade was not the most effective option available. As a result, they transitioned from a straight blade to a curved one. Thanks to this change, these swords became even more powerful. Because these swords are so powerful, they are not used by samurai when they are honing their skills through practice. Instead, samurai learn how to use their swords by mastering the skills with wooden swords. While using a wooden sword is obviously different than using a samurai sword, this practice gives them the skills they need to ensure they’re ready when they need to enter a battle with a real samurai sword.

Although makers of samurai swords have found more humane ways to test the swords they create, the quality of these swords used to be assessed in a very barbaric manner. At one point in time, new swords were tested by seeing if they could cut through criminals’ bodies.

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Engraved Swords

Filed under: Swords - 22 Jul 2010  | Spread the word !

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Thanks to the Internet, purchasing engraved swords can be simple, easy, and very cost effective. When shopping online for the right sword, look for oversized, detailed images to give you a good idea of what is available. Unfortunately you will not be able to do a thorough inspection before you make your purchase, it’s important that the site you order from provides you with a thorough background of the sword you want. There are a couple of methods available for inscribing sword blades.

The one service that is may be the most difficult for companies to offer is custom inscriptions. However, as stated earlier, engraved swords are designed one of two ways. The first is called engraving which uses a mechanical cutting tool to inscribe the metal. The second is called etching. It’s unique because it uses a laser or an acid to change the surface of the blade to make the inscription. Many engravers believe that laser etching is the better of the two processes. By choosing laser etching, you’ll a look that most closely resembles the acid-etched design that typically appears on most blades.

Additionally, engraved swords with laser etching will have clear, sharp, and crisp letters. It’s important to make sure that the engraver you choose is insured. Plus you’ll want to make certain that the engraver will fully guarantee all of their work. Look for a company with proven excellence in supplying high quality, hand crafted engraved swords. Order from an engraver who has an extensive knowledge of swords. Check out their shipping handling policy as well as how they address returns and refunds. You can’t wrong if you follow these tips.

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Swords – online facts and sword information

Filed under: Swords  -    Pinned  | Spread the word !

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Swords where invented many hundreds of years ago and are still used today in ceremony, cartoons and movies about old times or changed future realities. Swords are good fun for those that know what they are doing however they can be dangerous in hands of people that are less than professional. There are several different swords which come from all around the world with different civilizations creating swords that they thought where the best.

Some of the swords like the English swords are very long, as long as a man up to five feet long with double edged blades. They also had short swords which were more of a backup weapon in case their main weapon was damaged or lost in battle. In many armies around the world the officers still carry swords which are used not only in ceremony but would also be used in battle if close combat was required. Normally the officers do not carry their swords onto the battle field except for some ranks in some countries.

If you are interested in collecting swords from around the world then there are many different varieties to choose from. With a tip on the end of each sword used for stabbing and thrusting plus the blades on each edge of the sword it was a very useful weapon to be holding during medieval times before the use of projectile weapons. The counter part to the sword was a trusted shield which could save a man’s life is used correctly. Using the shield in combination with the sword was the best approach using blocking and other motions to keep your opponents at bay.

Interlocked shields and swords could create an impenetrable barrier between your enemies and your men. Using the sword alone against a foe who was also only wielding a sword took great skill and coordination to disarm or kill the enemy. For hundreds and thousands of years the swords of the world have been refined from brutish weapons that hacked and chopped to precise weapons which could easily slice of any of your opponents appendages. Swords today are not had to come by however authentic medi-evil swords are very valuable.

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Swords

Filed under: Swords - 06 Apr 2010  | Spread the word !

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There are many different collectors of many things all around the world however you will find that people who collect swords like to think that they are not collecting them rather than preserving the swords for future generations. Swords are not commonly made in this day and age unless they are for decorative purposes. The use of a sword in medieval practices and tournaments is not uncommon however outside of this area you will find that swords have little use unless you are using them as an envelope opener. If you do have a sword that was made back in the days where swords were used before guns were made then this object may be worth many thousands of dollars even in poor condition. The old swords are difficult to come by because people who own then are very reluctant to let them go and the people who want to buy them usually cannot afford to because of the elaborate price.

Around the world the knights and armies of old times used different weapons for combat depending on what they were up against. For fighting knights on horseback the soldiers would use long pikes with hooks on the end of them to pull the knights off their horses. For fighting armies with little to no armor it was easy to use arrows to repel the enemy rather than sacrificing your own men. The sword was a general implement of warfare back in the days of medieval fighting where just about every soldier had a second weapon which looked or acted like a sword which was usually for defense rather than attack. The longer swords like the long or the broad sword where the best for being used aggressively while in Asian countries the samurai sword which was little was used very effectively against the enemy. This type of sword did however require expert training to be wielded correctly.

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