Swords: How Can I Get Realistic Swords? Please Help.

K. Forman · December 15th, 2005, 06:24 PM

They had the sword from the Xena tv show on auction not long ago, and it was a plastic type sword. Looking at the still pics of it, it did look extremely phony. Watching the show though, it was hard to tell.

Richard Alvarez · December 15th, 2005, 07:00 PM

Keith,

I've worked with plastic doubles of real swords, and they look pretty good on camera. They will hold up moderately well to combat, if you spend time choreographing the moves, and pulling the punches. The pluss side is they weigh a lot less, and hence move much faster and cause less damage than real steel if they hit. They sound like crap though! (Cue the foley artists) They are also pretty expensive, because they are custom made to be replicas of the steel ones.

I'm afraid Drew isn't going to find a cheap - safe - realistic solution. Kinda like that quality triangle - "Cheap, Fast, Good" - you can have two of the three, but not all of them.

Drew Meinecke · January 18th, 2006, 07:59 PM

I found these swords which claim to be functional and useable for fighting. They are pretty cheap too. Does anyone know anything about these Stage Steel swords?

http://www.knightsedge.com/stage-steel-swords.htm

Richard Alvarez · January 18th, 2006, 09:23 PM

Drew,
They look to be a knock off of Starfire Swords http://www.starfireswords.com/web-pa...pages/home.php

I've used Starfire blades, and they're tough as nails. They also replace them if they ever break. Great deal.

Alex Jeffery · January 22nd, 2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew Meinecke

I found these swords which claim to be functional and useable for fighting. They are pretty cheap too. Does anyone know anything about these Stage Steel swords?

http://www.knightsedge.com/stage-steel-swords.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Jeffery

http://www.knightsedge.com/stage-steel-swords.htm

(They also have rapiers that currently aren't posted on the website.)

Yeah, Knight's Edge makes pretty darn good stage steel. I have two swords from them.

Barry Werger · January 22nd, 2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Forman

You might also look around for a local SCA chapter. These are the folk who do medieval reinactments. The often have staged battles with weapons.

Hmmm... in my experience, for combat, they are usually using PVC or wood wrapped in foam wrapped in duct tape! NOT realistic in looks! The better looking ones are just for show... (or non-SCA sanctioned activities).

Barry Werger · January 22nd, 2006, 05:51 PM

Also, I don't think anyone's mentioned it, but almost any Martial Arts supply place on the web (there are thousands) have weapons in "kata" (showy), practice, and combat categories - often much cheaper than stage weaponry. Again, they tend to be asian-style, but may be worth checking out. Talk to some schools in your area or on the web to find out which are sturdy enough and safe enough for your needs.

December 15th, 2005, 06:24 PM	#16
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	They had the sword from the Xena tv show on auction not long ago, and it was a plastic type sword. Looking at the still pics of it, it did look extremely phony. Watching the show though, it was hard to tell. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

December 15th, 2005, 07:00 PM	#17
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Keith, I've worked with plastic doubles of real swords, and they look pretty good on camera. They will hold up moderately well to combat, if you spend time choreographing the moves, and pulling the punches. The pluss side is they weigh a lot less, and hence move much faster and cause less damage than real steel if they hit. They sound like crap though! (Cue the foley artists) They are also pretty expensive, because they are custom made to be replicas of the steel ones. I'm afraid Drew isn't going to find a cheap - safe - realistic solution. Kinda like that quality triangle - "Cheap, Fast, Good" - you can have two of the three, but not all of them.

January 18th, 2006, 07:59 PM	#18
Drew Meinecke Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 53	I found these swords which claim to be functional and useable for fighting. They are pretty cheap too. Does anyone know anything about these Stage Steel swords? http://www.knightsedge.com/stage-steel-swords.htm

January 18th, 2006, 09:23 PM	#19
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Drew, They look to be a knock off of Starfire Swords http://www.starfireswords.com/web-pa...pages/home.php I've used Starfire blades, and they're tough as nails. They also replace them if they ever break. Great deal.

January 22nd, 2006, 05:51 PM	#22
Barry Werger Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 104	Also, I don't think anyone's mentioned it, but almost any Martial Arts supply place on the web (there are thousands) have weapons in "kata" (showy), practice, and combat categories - often much cheaper than stage weaponry. Again, they tend to be asian-style, but may be worth checking out. Talk to some schools in your area or on the web to find out which are sturdy enough and safe enough for your needs.