|
7th April 2007, 12:26 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 131
|
Best place to buy swords?
If travel costs and political unrest weren't factors, where would you guys go to buy swords?
|
7th April 2007, 12:28 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Athens Greece
Posts: 479
|
London
|
7th April 2007, 04:11 PM | #3 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,172
|
I would think that would depend completely upon the type of sword one wanted to buy.
|
7th April 2007, 04:47 PM | #4 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,718
|
It depends a bit, as in several countries you can buy an antic weapon, but you can’t export it, so if you go abroad to buy weapons, make sure you can get them out of the country in a legal way – before you buy.
|
7th April 2007, 06:50 PM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium)
Posts: 830
|
As to weapons from Congo, I think you would find the best pieces in the attic of an elderly person who used to live there. You can't imagine what turns up now and again. Mostly, these pieces come onto the market when the person dies and his relatives clear the house.
The trick is to be the first ! Unfortunately, nowadays a lot of copies and/or newer pieces can be found on the internet. |
7th April 2007, 07:02 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 131
|
Yannis, you say London.. do you mean at auctions?
Jens thats a good point. Have you had problems with this in the past? Also, does anybody know of specific countries that are good or bad for finding weapons that originated there? For instance, if I were looking for Japanese swords I would think that educated dealers and collectors coupled with strict laws would make it unlikely to find many garage-sale deals I'm sure few broad statements can be made, I'm just interested in hearing of peoples experiences |
7th April 2007, 07:55 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,242
|
In Japan, all nihon-to must be registered with a state ministry by law. So I think it's pretty much impossible to find a good sword at a garage sale, when there are plenty of formal venues to sell one for big bucks. I think a while ago the US was a good source for such blades, but due to the popularization of Japanese swords in the media, even the oldest vet will have some idea of the value of a bring-back.
|
8th April 2007, 05:37 PM | #8 | |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Poland
Posts: 80
|
Quote:
|
|
9th April 2007, 04:27 PM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 407
|
If I could go anywhere I would go to Afghanistan. I have heard of wootz pieces going for well under $100.
If that was too dangerous I would go to Indonesia, but remember to watch out for fakes. Josh |
|
|