- Ever Heard About The Arma?
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For those of you that are medieval swords collectors and fans like me, here is a website that might interest you.
While searching for new information to post on my blog, i ended up on this site which is a gold mine of information related to Renaissance martial arts. Even though this website has been online since 1996, i never fount it before yesterday…Guess i wasn’t looking hard enough…
This site is called the Arma. You will find information like quality information on fencing and medieval combat skills, photos, videos, study groups and so much more.
This website, is the perfect resource for those you that are really serious collecting swords and fencing in general.
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- Chinese Swords – Choosing the Right Weapon
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Everyone wanting to own Chinese swords should be prepared to do some research before making any decision on which weapon to purchase. This is because there are many kinds of Chinese swords for sale and although they all originate from the same country they differ in style, size, weight and details. Not only that, but there are also battle ready swords for those that want to use them and non-functional Chinese swords that are solely for display purposes to choose from, which makes finding the right bladed weapon a challenging experience, but one well worth the while.
Chinese swords are wonderful display pieces, regardless of whether they are functional or not. This is because many are known for their intricate details and also because there is such a diversity in styles. Some of the swords are elegant, others are small and yet others have interesting blade shapes or are even two swords that make one, as with the well known butterfly swords. It is possible to have a collection of many Chinese swords or to concentrate on a particular style or even time period. Some swords are replicas of Chinese military swords or weapons used by the noblemen of the times and are also great additions to any collection. Display swords can also be used as props for role playing or theatrical purposes as long as they are not used to hit or cut anything.
A lot of the Chinese swords, however, have their origins in the martial arts and even today many of these disciplines make use of swords for competitions, training and demonstrations. There is, for example, hook swords and kwandao which are commonly used by shaolin in kung fu forms or the nandao which is a sword used by those practicing wushu. If a Chinese sword is to be used by the owner, then it if important to keep in mind that not all swords are suitable for this purpose. Taking into consideration safety requirements and features necessary for a battle ready weapon, it is clear that the blade must be balanced, flexible and forged using high carbon steel and that the handle and wrapping must be secure and securely attached.
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- Civil War Swords – More than just for collectors
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The Civil War was an important era in American history and there are many people around the world who are interested in what happened during those years. Some are mainly interested in the history, whereas others are enthusiasts for the many different Civil War swords. Replicas of these swords are being made even today and still have a large following and are versatile enough to be used for a number of purposes.
Collectors of Civil War swords have lots to choose from. There are swords from both the Confederate and Union armies, as well as different kinds for officers, field soldiers and cavalry. One thing that almost all of these swords had in common is that they had thin blades, which made them especially good for thrusting attacks instead of just cutting. Many of the Civil War swords can be classified as sabers or cutlasses, although some take more the form of a rapier on.
As collector’s swords, the replicas of those from the Civil War are valuable because they are almost never cheap copies, but instead are high quality, correctly forged and fully battle ready weapons made of the best materials. The details are amazing and are exact copies of the features that were found on the original weapons used during the war, including the hand guards, leather wrappings used for the handles and the sheaths.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of Civil War & Military swords are fully functional, they are also great for training and practicing with, as well as using for battle reenactments. For the blades high carbon steels are used, which is flexible and strong enough not to break upon impact. A variety of materials can be used for the hilt and hand guards. However, it is best to look for Civil War swords that make use of brass since it looks elegant, can be used for engravings and is a lightweight metal, unlike steel or iron.
There are many manufacturers and sellers of Civil War swords and therefore it is worth taking the time to look at all that is offered. This way you will also be sure that you purchase the right sword that will meet all of your expectations and requirements.
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- What About Practice Swords
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Everyone that wants to actually use a sword hands-on will need to purchase one of the many good practice swords that are out on the market. A practice sword is not always easy to recognize just from a picture on a website and so it is important to read the description and know exactly what features to look for so that you really do get the right bladed weapon for the purpose. Purchasing the wrong sword to practice with will only result in the weapon breaking shortly thereafter, which is just a waste of time and money spent.
The best way to tell if a sword is suitable for practicing with is to read the description and keep an eye out for words such as “fully functional” and “battle ready”. A fully functional or battle ready sword has a blade made of special materials that make it flexible enough to be resilient to breaking when it hits another object or is hit, whether it be another weapon or a target like a rice mat or bamboo stick. The blade of a practice sword is made using one of the many claying methods and is a combination of different strength high carbon steels. Any sword with a stainless steel blade is not a practice sword, as it will quickly break.
Once you have determined which swords are suitable to be practice swords, then it is necessary to further specify exactly what it is you are looking for. Features to keep in mind include whether you want a one or two handed sword, what handle wrapping material you prefer, the overall length of the sword and the total weight. Not choosing the right practice sword can result in bodily injury and therefore it is best to start off on the safe side and purchase a lightweight, shorter sword if you are unsure of you capabilities.
It is not hard to find a good practice sword since there are many online stores that specialize in selling bladed weapons. There are also many good brands on the market from companies that produce high quality, handmade and balanced swords which are fully functional, such as Hanwei.
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- Samurai 3000 Swords
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The Samurai 3000 collection is extremely popular among all those that love martial arts and swords. It is basically about how the Samurai fighter will once again have a purpose and make a comeback in the future. The Samurais of the movie, however, were trained and had superior fighting skills for both technological and standard weapons. The katana and other swords seen in Samurai 3000 are really plasmium weapons and it is top secret what that really is. That does not mean that they are not great swords, though. All of the Samurai 3000 bladed weapons are true to detail replicas, but also look like real swords used by samurai and ninjas.
Although all of the swords from Samurai 3000 look real, they are only replicas of those seen in the movie and therefore not to be used as a weapon. They are not battle ready and not meant to withstand all that happens during a practice session, a competition or a demonstration. Using these swords for something other than just displaying will most likely result in them breaking quickly and that would be a shame.
There are five main swords that were used by the elite Samurai 3000. More specifically, they are the samurai 3000 Tanto, the samurai 3000 Ninja Sword and the samurai 3000 Katana, the two other swords available are the same as the last two but with black blades. Each has their own unique look and especially the details seen on the handle are wonderful. All are made by United Cutlery and so you can expect only flawless pieces that are perfect for collecting and putting on display. The blades are all made of stainless steel and the handles are finished in brush metal. All of these Samurai 3000 swords from United Cutlery are officially licensed which means that they are the real replicas and have the highest chances of being worth something in the future.
A collection can be made of all the swords, or fans of the movie can own the one from the character they liked most. Of course since Samurai 3000 is a movie, those that collect items or props from movies can also add any or all of these to their collection.
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- Types of Chinese Swords
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If you are speaking of Chinese swords, then you are referring to a wide range and variety of swords. This is not just because China is a large country, but also because it has a long history and many different groups have developed their own kinds of swords and throughout history these have changed dramatically. There are also different kinds of Chinese swords that have their origins in the various martial arts disciplines that have been practiced for a long time throughout the country.
Each of the Chinese Dynasties had their own styles of swords and also used different claying methods for the blades. The swords forged today, however, are usually very high quality pieces and if you want to be sure of getting a good weapon it is best to stick with the well known brands with good reputations, such as Hanwei from Paul Chen or Cold Steel. Regardless of whether you intend on using the sword or not, the well made Chinese swords are worth the money because they will look authentic, have better, non rusting decorations, well wrapped handles and true to form hand guards and pommels.
Since there are so many kinds of swords that have come from China, you can collect them all and put them on display or build a collection based on a certain dynasty or type of sword. Some of the most common Chinese swords include butterfly swords which are dual swords, war swords that are similar to sabers or broadswords and katana for martial artists. There are also many unusual kinds of Chinese swords that will make great eye-catching pieces for any collection or even great weapons to practice with to learn something new. Such weapons include the hook sword, the nandao which is a larger and heavier version of the butterfly swords and jian which is a very long sword with a double edged blade.
For those that want a particular Chinese sword there are also many replicas of historical weapons that can be purchased. In order to get an idea of what is available it is highly recommended to go to a few websites and look specifically for Chinese swords. This way you can compare and see all the types of Chinese swords that are being made.
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- Movie Swords to Collect
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Swords have played a role in many movies and so there are also many to collect. Movie swords are copies of weapons that have been seen in movies and are exact reproductions of the props that were used. There are many possibilities for collectors. You can collect only from one movie, one genre or all kinds of movie swords that are available. If one piece catches your eye, you can also have a single sword put on display in your home. Some movie swords, though, are made by manufacturers that still forge battle ready weapons and so you can even find something to practice with or use for reenactments.
Going to specialized sword and knife websites is a good way to start when looking for movie swords. This is because they will have a complete list of what is available and so you will find what you are looking for right away and maybe even find a sword or two that you didn’t even realize existed. Factory X and United Cutlery are two brands to look for if you want quality and assurance that you are getting the best.
Some movies have enough swords in them to be a collection of their own, such as Lord of the rings, but many others have main characters with a special sword and so they can complete a collection of items from that particular movie. These would include movies such as the Last Samurai, Blade, Kill Bill, Troy, Eragon and Gladiator. All of these swords need to be put on display where they can be seen since the details are true to the originals and decorative.
Movie swords also fall into several categories of swords and can be added to those collections also. For example, the Pirates of the Caribbean have swords for cutlass and saber collections, whereas Samurai 3000 has katana. There are also many kinds of fantasy swords, such as from Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, which can enhance any fantasy collection.
In some cases movie swords are based on real swords and therefore also are made as such. These battle ready swords, such as the one from Braveheart or Kill Bill, can also be used for battle reenactments or demonstrations since they can withstand impact of other weapons and can cut through many objects, just as a real sword would be able to .
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- Experiment with the Diversity of Medieval Weapons
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Anyone who is interested in the Middle Ages or is fascinated by weapons should look into the many kinds of medieval weapons. The sheer diversity of these weapons makes them interesting and also perfect for collectors who want a diverse and eye-catching assortment to put on display.
Collectors of medieval weapons have a lot to choose from. Not only are there different styles of a particular type of weapon, but also many types of weapons. There are swords, daggers, spears, polearms, bows, crossbows and blunt weapons such as flails, maces or war hammers. Swords are probably the single largest category of medieval weapons and it includes many kinds of swords, like the katana, cutlass, flamberge, rapier, saber, long sword and shorts word. These are also the easiest weapons to find replicas or new models of, but rounding off a collection with the other kinds of weapons makes a great display and can make any room being used feel like one from the Middle Ages.
Medieval weapons are not just for collectors, though. The weapons can be used to this day in various sports, such as archery, martial arts or hunting. Swords are often used in various disciplines of martial arts and a good example of this is the katana. Even today katanas are being forged and yet they originated during the medieval times. The rapier or foil is another medieval weapon being used today in sports such as fencing. For archery and hunting you can look into medieval weapons such as the long bow, crossbow or short bow. There are many manufacturers that make weapons that have a medieval appearance to them and yet which are fully functional.
Regardless of whether you use or collect medieval weapons, there are some things to keep in mind. For one, you need to take precautions if you are going to keep these weapons on display or in a home where young children or teenagers are. Since these weapons are heavy and in many cases battle ready, meaning sharp, they present a danger. Therefore they must also be safely displayed either in glass showcases or hung up on wall mounts where they are out of reach to those that should not have access. You also need to keep in mind that it takes practice to use medieval weapons and before taking part in reenactments or demonstrations with battle ready weapons, you should know what you are doing.
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- The Popularity of Rambo Knives
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The Rambo movie series are classics and even though they are not new, they still maintain a great deal of their popularity. Of course there are certain elements of the movies which catch people’s attentions and among those are the Rambo survival knives. In each movie Rambo has a knife that is always with him and which he often uses in order to survive through the movie. These movies are also the reason that survival knives now are generally just referred to as Rambo knives.
Survival knives were a new form of the standard combat knife and they were first seen and made popular in First Blood, which was the first movie. Each of the following sequels, Rambo II, Rambo III and John Rambo, also had their own unique survival knives which were used by the main character. These have been replicated and the ones worth purchasing will always meet certain requirements. All collectors, regardless of whether into general items or fans of Rambo, should be aware of these.
A collectible Rambo knife should have original licensing and come with a certificate of authenticity. In order to keep it safe it should be on a plaque and put up on display or in a glass casing. It should also be made of materials that are of higher quality so that it does not easily get scratched or broken. The best Rambo knives for collectors would be limited and special editions since they are rarer and have a higher chance of being worth more money one day. Having the complete collection makes it even more valuable.
Here are some of the Limited edition Rambo Knives available on the market:
There is the Original Rambo Knife signature edition. This particular item is limited to 5000 pieces worldwide and comes with a certificate of authenticity. these are made by United Cutlery and no other, be carefull.
The Rambo II signature edition knife. Based on the props used in the second movie, this is an exact replica that includes a certificate of authenticity by Master Cutlery.
The Rambo III knife 20th anniversary edition is the limited edition of the props seen in the third movie of the serie. There is also the Rambo III signature edition kinfe availalbe as a limited edition collectible.
And Finally the Latest addition to the Rambo Knives collection, the Rambo 4 knife signature edition. This item is a limited edition collectible, include a certificate of authenticity and a leather scabbard.
Rambo knives can also be useful, though. Campers and outdoor enthusiasts can have a copy of the original survival knife in the movie and use it for camping trips, hikes or other outdoor experiences. This is because the Rambo knife includes a survival kit in the handle and a compass so that you don’t lose your way. If the blade is made of stainless steel or carbon steel then it is also perfect for cutting ropes or even gutting fish that you catch while on a camping trip.
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- Are You a Fencing Fan?
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Are you a fencing practitioner? If you are ,then you will probably love the following website. I recently stumbled across this gem while doing some research of my own on fencing. I mean this site has to be one of the authority in the field that is for sure. the website is called Fencing.net - Your Guide to Fencing
The amount of information is just amazing. You can learn everything you need to know about fencing, information like:
- Training tips and drills
- Fencing clubs
- Rules
- Armory
- Access to Fencing experts
- Equipment reviews
- Discussion forums
- and so much more.
There is even a store that can help you get started. I personally like the part about fencing tips and Drills.
You get to have access to many tips suggested by experts in fencing, tips such as:
- Psychological skills manual
- Training tips
- Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
- Get real with your expectations
- and more
Like a wrote earlier, if you are a fencing addict, go check this website now.
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