There are literally thousands of swords in different styles, materials, and price ranges available today. This can make choosing a sword an overwhelming experience, to say the least. Hopefully with this article we can help you narrow it down a bit and point out a few things to pay attention to.

This article will mainly cover the materials of the blades and the situations they are best suited for, how much time you want to invest in your sword, as well as the cost. As for the style of the sword, well, we can’t help. The style of the sword is as individual to a person as the way he chooses to style his hair or the car he chooses to buy.

Right now we are going to look at three blade materials. That’s correct three. Two that we all know, carbon steel and stainless steel, and one that you may not know Zamak. Zamak is an alloy that looks like steel, but cannot be sharpened.

Carbon Steel – Carbon Steel Swords are really functional swords that will stand up to riggers to use, but as with everything else, they come in different grades. High carbon steel swords are the best, both in strength and durability, as well as maintaining an edge. Carbon steel swords are also the highest maintenance swords. If they are not cared for properly and kept oiled, they will corrode very easily. If you see the term “Battle Ready” sword, it generally means a fully functional carbon steel sword.

These swords are for hardcore sword owners. Someone who needs the sword to be functional and won’t mind taking the time to care for it. These are generally the most expensive swords, due to the fact that they are usually forged by hand.

Cost: Carbon Swords can work with any dinnerware from $ 30.00 to $ 30,000.00 +

Stainless Steel – Stainless steel swords are not real swords as far as function is concerned. They are mainly a decorative sword. They look real, they feel real, and most will hold an edge, making them a great display sword. But to use them in any other way is to invite injury. The compound ‘Chromium’ is added to the steel and this is what makes it stainless. It also makes it brittle. A good enough hit at something with a stainless steel sword will break it and possibly hurt you or someone close to you. Stainless steel bars require little maintenance and should only be cleaned occasionally.

These swords are ideal for displays and re-enactments. They are good for people who want a sword that looks and feels like a functional sword, but without the labor and expense. They are less expensive than carbon steel while maintaining quality, due to the ability to mass produce them.

Cost: On average, these swords will cost between $ 20.00 and approximately $ 400.00.

Zamak: Zamak is an alloy used primarily by a company called Denix. It is made up of 95% zinc (Zn), aluminum, magnesium and copper. Swords made of this alloy are purely decorative and, try as you may, you won’t be able to put a functional touch on them. This makes them, among other things, the perfect display sword for family or educational settings. These are very low maintenance swords. They will not corrode or etch with human oils.

These are perfect decorative swords for a person who wants a sword that looks real on the wall, but probably won’t get down very often, if at all. Due to their sheet material, they are perfect in family settings for safety and for costumes, re-enactments, sets, displays, or as educational aids. Also due to the material of the blade, the cost can be kept low without sacrificing quality.

Cost: The cost of these swords ranges from $ 60.00 to $ 110.00

Tips for buying a sword

Now, in general, the old adage rings true. You get what you pay for. That doesn’t mean you should spend a lot of money on a quality sword. There are some very good mid-range swords on the market, and even a low-range sword or two that are worth looking at. Every rule has its exceptions.

What you need to decide first is how authentic your sword should be and how much you are willing to invest in it. This will help you reduce the field considerably.

Next, you must realize that not all distributors care about your best interest. There are many cheap imitation swords that, in their pictures at least, look like popular and reliable reputable swords. So how do you say it?

Most reputable merchants who know that they carry renowned swords will proudly declare the name of the sword making.

Let’s say you have two windows open next to each other comparing the same sword in two places. The image looks the same and the name of the sword is the same, but the price is drastically different. Site A has the spade at $ 57.00, while Site B has the spade at $ 230.00. You’re thinking it’s too good to be true! Guess what … it probably is. Now watch and see that Site B proudly declares the name of the manufacturer, it may even be a name that you have seen many times in your search. Site A, on the other hand, does not indicate manufacture. Why? They may not know the name … not likely. Or it could be that they know that if they put the wrong manufacturer’s name on a knockoff, they would be stitched.

Now, that doesn’t mean it’s always the case, but the top is an example of something that happened, and the sword was an imitation of the popular sword. Our advice would be to contact the website and ask who the manufacturer of the sword is. If the sword is on the level, they will tell you the name. If they don’t tell you the name, go elsewhere. It is better to do it by email. That way you have proof of it in case you buy the sword and it is not what they told you.

This is more common with replica accessories. Our advice in this area, again, when in doubt ask. Also know your sword.

Here are two examples:

There is a cutlas on the market that is an imitation of a reputable decorative pirate sword. It is advertised as from Pirates of the Caribbean. The sword is a basket-hilt cutlas with a ship on guard. There is no such sword in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Another of my favorites is the Duncan MacLeod Highlander Katana. There is no jewel on Duncan’s sword! Stay away from it.

In closing, I’d like to start your journey with a list of some of the most popular and trusted names in swords. This list covers quality swords, from inexpensive to expensive.

Functional swords (carbon steel):

CAS Iberia, Hanwei, Valiant Armory, Cold Steel.

Decorative swords (Stainless and Zamak):

Medieval armor, Art Gladius, Denix, Fury, Marto, Maxam, United Cutlery.

Prop replicas:

FactoryX, LMTD, Master Replicas, Museum Replicas, NECA, United Cutlery.

This is by no means a complete list, just some of the best. There are many more excellent quality private companies and Smiths, and you will recognize them as you browse.

Good luck and have fun!