Importing swords to the uk

[tris-]

how legal is it thesew days to import antique swords into the uk? i brought back a display katana from cyprus in my suitcase and no one seemed to notice. although im not sure on how legal that was...
want to expand my collection now, and all the antique swords are from china/japan

 

[kingcon]

I assume if its shipped over then that’s not a problem but if your travelling with it that’s going to be a whole other situation. You can ring up and get special arrangements I think for things like that. Better hurry up though as I think swords and knife laws are changing pretty fast, happening already in Scotland so it’ll happen soon in England.

 

[Tom]

Its perfectly legal to carry a sword on your person, provided that its not 'in public' - so make sure its very well packaged. Carry it around your belt on a scabbard, ready to go, and you'll be in trouble.

Just make sure it goes in the hold.

 

[Gurnox]

Its perfectly legal to carry a sword on your person, provided that its not 'in public' - so make sure its very well packaged. Carry it around your belt on a scabbard, ready to go, and you'll be in trouble.

Just make sure it goes in the hold.

Displaying your sword in public is also the only way of obtaining the right to demand a flagon of ale during an exam.

 

[tris-]

i always thought it was something like you can import it aslong as its not a concealed weapon i.e a cain sword. but i wasnt sure if i seen that in a dream or not.

 

[Tom]

So long as its concealed, but concealed inside a secure container of some description, you'll be fine.

If you walk around with a concealed weapon thats ready to use, then you'll get done.

 

[~Yuckfou~]

People who collect swords disturb me tbh.
If you ever get burgled expect to also get sliced 'n diced.

 

[Gef]

Its when you get burgled and the local kids suddenly appear to be armed with razor sharp 4ft deathbringers and a strange spree of cat beheadings take place. Then you'll suddenly realise that collecting dangerous weaponry wasnt such a bright idea..

 

[Clown]

We brought a tribal sword from the Philippines home in our luggage. They didn't ask anything at both scanning things. Put it in your luggage!

 

[GDW]

This guy walks into a bar with a two handed bastard sword...............

 

[Trem]

People who collect swords disturb me tbh.
If you ever get burgled expect to also get sliced 'n diced.

Fuck 'em. I will shoot them with my Thomson ;]

 

[~Yuckfou~]

Fuck 'em. I will shoot them with my Thomson ;]

I have used one of those, but that's another story.......

 

[Trem]

My dad left me some cool stuff when he died

 

[~Yuckfou~]

It is important that fingers are well clear of the slot where the cases eject, the casings are hot and moving quite fast. I saw some really fuck a finger up once, funny tbh

 

[Stazbumpa]

want to expand my collection now, and all the antique swords are from china/japan

Christ, have you won the lottery or something? Be careful though mate, make sure you're buying something decent and not the shite they flog to tourists.

/me pats my carbon steel katana

 

[tris-]

staz, where from? mainly after antiques but if there is something new going i may be interested in it.

 

[Stazbumpa]

My area of knowledge is with the Japanese blades. If you already know any of this then I apologise, I'm just relaying what I know to you. If you're after a sword made in Japan (nihonto) then you are talking serious money for a legit blade.

This site has pretty much all the information you will need including how to spot shite swords.

Nihonto.com, although American, will give you an idea of how much these things are likely to cost you. Which is a lot.

However, if you want a new, not made in Japan blade then BladesUK is probably the best place for you. I got my katana and wakizashi from here
The Samurai section is here
The katana I got was this one and its bloody amazing. All the swords that B-UK sell are good, but if you want an authentic one, get a Paul Chen carbon steel blade. Doesn't cost anywhere near as much as a nihonto, but its easily as good and slices through pretty much anything. The forging process isn't quite the same as a traditional samurai sword, but the temper line (hamon, the wavey line on the blade next to the sharp bit) is clay tempered and real.

If you got any queries or doubts then let me know mate. If you have no clue what I'm wobbling on about, again let me know matey

 

[Mobius]

Once I get my own debit card I'm going to get this.

The Anduril, otherwise known as 'The Flame of The West'.

Official United Cutlery Item, with an overall length of 53" and a blade length of 40.5", the blade is made of a double edged, tempered 420 J2 stainless steel, false-edged. Has an inscription down the blade, which translates to "I am Andœril who was Narsil, the sword of Elendil. Let the thralls of Mordor flee me."

The handle is a solid metal crossguard and pommel with an antique silver plated finish and 24 karat gold plated fittings.

Comes with a parchment certificate of authenticity.

Price: £190.00

http://www.blades-uk.com/images/products/anduril_S.jpg

 

[Stazbumpa]

Bloody nice sword matey, I know someone who has one.

I like the Uruk Hai scimitar myself

Rusty and nasty

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Official United Cutlery Item:
http://www.blades-uk.com/images/products/anduril_S.jpg

So there'll be a fork and spoon to go with that then?

RB

 

[Mobius]

Bloody nice sword matey, I know someone who has one.

I like the Uruk Hai scimitar myself

Rusty and nasty

Yeah thats freaking cool

Damn, now I'm desperately waiting for Lotr Rotk Extended DVD again.

 

[Stazbumpa]

I had a choice of practical blades or very nice wall hangers. Went with the functional swords as I am learning to use them anyway.

 

[tris-]

is the fantasy katana good for a display sword? im thinking that will be my first one to buy, then the banshee.

 

[Stazbumpa]

The Fantasy Katana happens to be a replica of the sword Morpheus uses in Matrix Reloaded. However, it wont slice a car up.

I have this sword and its brilliant and VERY sharp. The thing is that its a real weapon, and it looks good, and the blade itself is hand forged instead of those acid etched shitty things for 60 quid. The wrap on the handle (tsuka) is real leather, just mind the scabbard (saya) coz they scratch easy.

Do I sound like a salesman?

Anyway, its excellent and a ridiculously good bargain, even if you're only going to have it as a wall hangar. It sells for about double the price Stateside. If they're in stock get one coz they're something of a rarity. Make sure you get the sword care kit though, coz this beast will need oiling every fortnight coz its carbon steel and will rust if you don't.

Let me know if you need any other help mate.

 

[tris-]

i bought the oil spray, do i need the full kit or is there another cloth i can use to wipe it?

 

[Stazbumpa]

The cleaning kit has a couple of other bits in it, including a polishing ball, rice paper, peg hammer for taking the sword apart and a bit of wood to fix anything thats loose (trust me on this one).
Any soft duster will do, although traditionally speaking they used rice paper to spread the oil. Anyway, 3 or 4 squirts on each side of the blade, wipe, and your done mate. Treat the oil spray with kid gloves though coz it breaks and leaks very easily.