Questions

[Ccnati]

I'm a life time collector (that doesn't mean it's been long, I'm 15) and I am looking at getting a sword. My issue is they are expensive. Do any of you have experience making swords (European small sword type swords) and if so, what would you think the minimum price would be for making functional swords of the aforementioned style?

 

[carbonsteel928]

I'm a life time collector (that doesn't mean it's been long, I'm 15) and I am looking at getting a sword. My issue is they are expensive. Do any of you have experience making swords (European small sword type swords) and if so, what would you think the minimum price would be for making functional swords of the aforementioned style?

By the time you have the tools and skills to make a decent sword, you'll be quite a few thousand dollars into equipment alone. I started making knives because it seemed cheaper than buying them. With the money I've spent on tools and material, I'd own every one of my dream knives by now.

 

[Tx Bass Tech]

I think it's awesome that you want to learn how to make a sword. I would maybe start off by reading all the stickies in this section of the forum. I have learned a lot by buying blades that are already made and putting handles on them like it is explained in the stickies.You could also look into finding a school or group that teaches black smithing or knife making in your area. Also search out knife makers in your area and see if they teach any classes. I have a couple of guys near Austin that teach classes that I want to take when I find time off from this pesky thing called work that I have to do because I don't live with my parents anymore!
Pursue your passion and have fun with it! It will be more fun and benefit you more than sitting on your butt playing video games or doing other stuff that is no good.

 

[Salolan]

Maybe I missed something, but to me it doesn't seem he is asking about how to go about making a sword. Rather it seems he is just asking pricing on a finished product.

As for what I think the question at hand is... It can be as cheap as you can find a cheaply made in (insert cheap Asian producer of choice) production sword upward to thousands of dollars. It is all depending on who made it, how it was made and how finely adorned it is. More factors than can be considered for a generic answer to your question.

Chris

 

[Salem Straub]

Minimum price for a handmade sword will be more than what you see mid-grade functional blades sell for from manufacturers. Hanwei, CAS Iberia, come to mind off hand.

 

[Bo T]

There are questions posted like this over on the Sword sub forum. You might check them out. A recent thread indicated a price point between $200 - $400 US. In most places it is illegal for you to carry or transport such a sword without adult supervision. So, you need your parents permission to have it in the house and someone older with you if you are going to take it anywhere. As far as I know, such a sword is classified as a dangerous weapon anywhere in the US.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Minimum price for a handmade sword will be more than what you see mid-grade functional blades sell for from manufacturers. Hanwei, CAS Iberia, come to mind off hand.

That's exactly what I was thinking, word for word.

Is there a maker that maybe sells sword blanks like Gene Martin sells knife blanks? I find that that is a great way to get a taste of making (although the op may have no interest in this), while also making something that may be out of reach (financially), more approachable. It's the best thing I've found if you want something in the production piece price, but still (mostly) made by a craftsman using top shelf materials and heat treat.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Sorry Ccnati, this isn't the place to discuss sales and prices on swords. I will move it to the sword forum.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

What do you consider expensive? You can get Hanwei practical swords of many varieties for under 100 dollars which are decent quality. Kris Cutlery makes some nice offerings as well in a similar price range. They won't be an A&A or Albion, but they're not terrible, especially on a 15 year-old's budget. Customs are going to be at least as expensive, and probably more so, than a top-tier piece by a manufacturer, because individual swordmakers making only one sword have a much higher cost per blade, since we're not mass producing.

 

[gadgetgeek]

See if you have a local Society of Creative Anachronism, or Renaissance group. I'm sure they have a few swordsmen (and women) who would love to share what they know with you. There is a big group of sword users and makers that don't really cross over into this world.
There is a fair range in costs as well, depending on fit and finnish, as well as blade temper, edges, and such. But they will be able to help you with that sort of thing. Since functional only applies to what you going to do with it. A full on Live (sharp edged) blade is going to be much more expensive than a stage blade, practice blade or re-enactors blade.
European style blades tend to be stage or re-enactor blades, because they tend to be used in one-on-one combat sports, where japanese blades tend to be used in cutting competition instead. (and Kendo uses bamboo obviously)
I'm by no means a sword expert, but hopefully this points you in the direction you were looking for. If you have more specific questions, ask away, I'm sure someone will know something!

 

[Ccnati]

I actually looked at sca, and love the idea (my favorite time period) the nearest group is in Kennesaw which is about an hour away from where I am in cumming GA... Might see about going to one of the smithing classes or one of the events