Where can I buy "real" swords?

Well a lot of people collect swords. There is actually a whole industry for functional swords for martial artist who can't afford to buy antiques to practice with.

For Chinese swords there are really two decent companies if you want something functional and not just for wushu or display. Jin Shi can do custom work for you and Huauno is supposed to be very good. I own two from Jin Shi and I am very happy with them. Huano is a bit expensive from me but highly recommended by Scott Rodell.

http://jin-shi.com/

http://www.sevenstarstrading.com/html/huanuo/

If you want Japanese swords then you can try Bugei or a high end Hanwei but to really be collectible you need a custom blade like a James Raw blade or a Howard Clark.

http://www.bugei.com/

http://www.rawblades.com/

Bugei is pretty much top of the line for Chinese made katanas and many martial artist prefer them to using antiques. They are a bit expensive at $1200 but still much cheaper than an antique or modern Japanese sword. Raw and Clark blades are generally considered some of the best katana blades from a non Japanese smith.

A good place to buy cheaper swords that are still functional is

http://www.swordsofdestiny.com./ I have dealt with the owner of this store before and he is honest and trust worthy. Tell him what you want, by that I mean call him, and I am sure he can make some helpful recommendations. He won't steer you wrong.

You can also read the Sword Buyers Guide for some info and reviews on swords under $300.

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/

Like I said it just depends on what you want. A lot of people just want a nice looking katana and don't really mind if its mass produced in China so long as it still looks like a katana and still cuts like one. Other people are only interested in blades forged by smiths in Japan and polished by master Togi. Geuine Nihonto both modern and antiques.

If you want real traditionally made blades or antiques I suggest you don't buy anything until you have a complete knowledge of the items you wish to collect. There are a lot of people out there getting ripped off buying counterfit Nihonto (genuine Japanese sword) or over paying for damaged ones. Basically if you want to get into Nihonto you better know your stuff.

If you are like most people and you just want a working sword then check out those sites I linked. I hope they help.

Edit to add- Do not go to BudK.

Most swords available today are not "real" in the sense you are looking for. They are machine made and typically of a stainless steel alloy. If you are looking to buy traditional, folded steel swords be prepared to spend a lot of money. I think it best to contact craftsmen directly, as I don't know any web sites that reliably sell the "real" thing.

Unless you go to a person who specially hand crafts the weapons from start to finish, you're not going to get real swords.

I'm not sure about anywhere else, but in Australia, you need a permit to purchase weapons which has been approved by the Australian Chief Commisioner (Police).

Best to ask through your dojo/club about where to purchase them.

real swords are very very very hard to find nowerdays, it took me the best part of a year to find a decent one to find for use in kungfu

my word of aadvice is DO NOT BUY OFF THE NET! some freinds who bought some on the net got delivered some horid stuff, if anything at all,

find a martial arts dealer, or sword dealer for that matter and try them out for yourself

if u have a ninja world near u they r great i live in ri theres a few of them so im not sure if theyre a chain or not but if ur ever here its in warwick or rite near tf greene airport if ur here

http://swords.com/

go to budk .com