| What Does Functional Swords Mean? | | | | very durable. The best functional design is a full |
| I have been selling swords and knives for the | | | | tang. Here the blade and tang are on piece of |
| past seven years at , doing research and | | | | metal and less likely to break. |
| answering questions on the different types of | | | | Workmanship may well be the most important. |
| swords and their uses. I've lived for six years in | | | | There are two basic ways to make a sword. |
| Europe and seven in the Orient seen and held | | | | They are machined and hand forged. The |
| swords that are easier dated in centuries rather | | | | machined sword is almost entirely forged by a |
| than years. | | | | machine while the hand forged is done by a |
| To keep it simple Functional Swords are made to | | | | human. Purest say hand forged is the only way. |
| be used and to keep an edge. However, to really | | | | However, I've seen many machined forged |
| answer this question you have to explain the | | | | swords I feel more comfortable with. The key is |
| three kinds of swords people sell. The first is a | | | | micro-fractures. During the forging process |
| Decorative Sword. These are swords made to | | | | sometime small fractures are left inside the |
| decorate and for display only. They are very | | | | sword. The more fractures there are the more |
| elaborate and are sometimes heavy replicas of | | | | likely the sword can break. There are many |
| historical, fantasy and movie swords. They often | | | | carbon steel swords not advertised as functional |
| come with a sword plaque or stand for their | | | | because of inconsistency. One sword might be |
| display in the home or office. The blades are | | | | great the next might not hold up. You take your |
| made of stainless steel and are generally highly | | | | chances when you buy these swords for use. |
| polished. They look really good but are not | | | | One last note on design, a practical sword is made |
| designed or made for use. The second is a | | | | for stage plays and reenactments where safety |
| Costume Sword. While they have many of the | | | | is the key. Practical swords have rounded or dull |
| same characteristics of a decorative sword, they | | | | edges and points. |
| are generally lighter and come with a sheath or | | | | Functional swords can cost much more than |
| some means of wearing the sword with a | | | | decorative or costume swords. Prices can run |
| costume. The last is the Functional Sword. | | | | from less than $ 100.00 for an entry level sword |
| So What's The Difference? | | | | to thousands for a made to order sword. Prices |
| Quality is the thing that makes a functional or | | | | are also based on the degree of functionality. An |
| battle ready sword different. The quality of the | | | | entry level sword can cost from under $ 100 to $ |
| materials, design and workmanship all play a part | | | | 200. These are light duty swords which are great |
| in a good functional sword. The materials are very | | | | for a beginner. A medium duty sword or battle |
| important. High carbon steel is generally used to | | | | ready sword can cost up to $ 1000 and are |
| make the blades and other more durable | | | | usually used in reenactments and plays. Heavy |
| materials are used for the guard, pommel and | | | | duty swords can cost thousands. They can be |
| grips. High carbon steel is much harder. This type | | | | used for any purpose but are better suited for |
| of steel is better suited for keeping an edge and | | | | extended use as in a nightly stage combat plays. |
| less likely to break upon contact. The quality of | | | | After being in the US Army for 21 year, I can tell |
| the materials use in the guard, pommel and grip | | | | you anything can be broken. No matter how well |
| are of equal importance. A great high carbon steel | | | | a sword is made abuse, neglect and improper use |
| blade with a pot metal or inferior guard and grip is | | | | will damage or break any sword. I'm not talking |
| a wall hanger. | | | | about small dings in the sharp edges. Some |
| Some people say the original design of a sword is | | | | carbon steels are so hard it's almost impossible to |
| the best. I agree. Swords were originally made for | | | | sharpen them. Most swords are forged so the |
| combat at the time they were designed and | | | | edges are softer and can be sharpened. Please |
| forged. Some like the samurai sword were | | | | consult a qualified fight director on the proper use |
| designed to cut while others like the medieval | | | | and quality of weapons needed for heavy use in |
| claymore and long sword were made to bash and | | | | stage plays. |
| stab. The major design element is the tang. The | | | | I hope this helps to explain the term Functional |
| tang is the part of the sword that attaches the | | | | Swords. One rule to use in selecting a sword is |
| blade to the guard, grip and pommel. Some | | | | safety first. You are buying a weapon and get |
| decorative and costume swords use a rat-tail | | | | what you pay for, price should always be second. |
| design. The blade is welded to the tang and not | | | | |