Best place to buy swords?

Battara · 11th April 2007, 06:00 PM

Diddo.....

Matt Easton · 11th April 2007, 10:15 PM

I hate political correctness and it's refreshing to see a bit of unapologetic Imperialism.

Matt

G. McCormack · 12th April 2007, 02:56 PM

Unapologetic Imperialism eh???

Interesting responses from everyone. Its interesting that one can often find better prices in this global ebay-era market than in little shops in the country of origin. Here in my region its said that gun shows used to be great for Japanese swords...maybe 20 years ago. Afraid I missed out on that. But Philipino weapons seem much more available in this area.
Josh it certainly would be neat to buy wootz from places like Afghanistan; if one could do with a modicum of safety.

Why is it that so many of the places that made my favourite swords are current hotspots of violent activity???

ariel · 13th April 2007, 04:18 AM

Several years ago, I did quite well in Budapest: they have a slew of antique shops near Kalman Imre street . There were nice old Hungarian swords, tons of yataghans, kilijes etc.
The prices were ~ half of the then-prevailing e-bay prices and many sellers had no idea what they were talking about ( every buyer's dream!).
It must have changed since.....

Detroit Gun and Knife shows used to be good, but going to Detroit is like roaming around Waziristan and waving Stars and Stripes

Yannis · 13th April 2007, 08:21 AM

Ah, Ariel, why you remind me Budapest! I was there a dozen years ago and I had found some excellent swords but I had no knowledge and I was not so addicted like today, so I didn’t get them.

Later a lot of times I am thinking of these swords. Now you open again an old wound.
Also I still dream the fine shamshir I didn’t get the same era from Istanbul. Today I could kill for that. BTW Istanbul now has triple prices than London.

ariel · 22nd April 2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yannis

Ah, Ariel, why you remind me Budapest! I was there a dozen years ago and I had found some excellent swords but I had no knowledge and I was not so addicted like today, so I didn’t get them.

Later a lot of times I am thinking of these swords. Now you open again an old wound.
Also I still dream the fine shamshir I didn’t get the same era from Istanbul. Today I could kill for that. BTW Istanbul now has triple prices than London.

About 4 years ago I was in Istanbul, at the Market. Went to the antique weapons section: about 10 stores, all filled with expensive fakes, even more expensive "combination" and " reworked" pieces , some atrocities (shashka with soft iron blade embellished with a panoply of bizarre symbols), and awfully expensive low to middle-class authentic pieces. A rusty shamshir ( non-Damascus) with semi-intact scabbard was offered for $12,000.
Budapest...... I share your depression about not splurging there... A yataghan with a karabela handle for $300, a Hungarian Kilij for $600... I got there something, no doubt

and my only justification for not getting more was the size of our luggage. Come to think of it, I could have bought another suitcase or used mail service... Moron

Battara · 22nd April 2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. McCormack

Here in my region its said that gun shows used to be great for Japanese swords...maybe 20 years ago. Afraid I missed out on that. But Philipino weapons seem much more available in this area.

What area are you in?

Maybe we can talk - until then, I see PI/Moro and Japanese still around at the gun shows here in town.

11th April 2007, 06:00 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Diddo.....

11th April 2007, 10:15 PM	#2
Matt Easton Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, Great Britain. Posts: 53	I hate political correctness and it's refreshing to see a bit of unapologetic Imperialism. Matt

12th April 2007, 02:56 PM	#3
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	Unapologetic Imperialism eh??? Interesting responses from everyone. Its interesting that one can often find better prices in this global ebay-era market than in little shops in the country of origin. Here in my region its said that gun shows used to be great for Japanese swords...maybe 20 years ago. Afraid I missed out on that. But Philipino weapons seem much more available in this area. Josh it certainly would be neat to buy wootz from places like Afghanistan; if one could do with a modicum of safety. Why is it that so many of the places that made my favourite swords are current hotspots of violent activity???

13th April 2007, 04:18 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Several years ago, I did quite well in Budapest: they have a slew of antique shops near Kalman Imre street . There were nice old Hungarian swords, tons of yataghans, kilijes etc. The prices were ~ half of the then-prevailing e-bay prices and many sellers had no idea what they were talking about ( every buyer's dream!). It must have changed since..... Detroit Gun and Knife shows used to be good, but going to Detroit is like roaming around Waziristan and waving Stars and Stripes

13th April 2007, 08:21 AM	#5
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	Ah, Ariel, why you remind me Budapest! I was there a dozen years ago and I had found some excellent swords but I had no knowledge and I was not so addicted like today, so I didn’t get them. Later a lot of times I am thinking of these swords. Now you open again an old wound. Also I still dream the fine shamshir I didn’t get the same era from Istanbul. Today I could kill for that. BTW Istanbul now has triple prices than London.