Lets see historical Scottish weaponing...........

[Lachlan09]

Are Andrea Ferrera blades still made today ?

One type of sword made today which definitely would be an investment, an instant classic, would be a Japanese shinsakuto katana, made by a master craftsman in the traditional way. Right from the lengthy process of smelting of those precious nuggets into tamahagane and nabe-gane steel in a special tatara clay furnace and the Shinto priest’s blessings, to merging the hard and soft steels and forging the various layers, painting the edge in a clay coating and quenching to leave the distinct wavy hamon on the hardened edge and getting that curve. Weeks of polishing and sharpening, then mounting in an exquisite tsuka handle, menuki ornaments, habaki lock and tsuba guard and saya/jindachi-zukuri scabbard.

Many thousands of dollars and well beyond my price range !!

I can only afford the cheap stainless steel copies from e-bay !

[Woodsheal]

Are Andrea Ferrera blades still made today ?

One type of sword made today which definitely would be an investment, an instant classic, would be a Japanese shinsakuto katana, made by a master craftsman in the traditional way. Right from the lengthy process of smelting of those precious nuggets into tamahagane and nabe-gane steel in a special tatara clay furnace and the Shinto priest’s blessings, to merging the hard and soft steels and forging the various layers, painting the edge in a clay coating and quenching to leave the distinct wavy hamon on the hardened edge and getting that curve. Weeks of polishing and sharpening, then mounting in an exquisite tsuka handle, menuki ornaments, habaki lock and tsuba guard and saya/jindachi-zukuri scabbard.

Many thousands of dollars and well beyond my price range !!

I can only afford the cheap stainless steel copies from e-bay !

Seems like I've read that such swords are not allowed to be sold outside of Japan, as they are considered national treasures or some such.

Anyways, if I had multiple thousands of dollars to spend on a sword, it would definitely be an original, historic piece. I have spent in the $700-$1500 range for reproduction blades and guns from well-regarded modern makers, and they'll hold their value no problem, but to spend beyond that I'd be looking at antiques...!

[JRB]

Are Andrea Ferrera blades still made today ?

No, true Andrea Ferrera blades are no longer made but there are indeed several smiths (such as Vince Evans) who engrave the Andrea Ferrera name into their blades to give them a historic look.

[Woodsheal]

This is an armpit dagger (sgian achlais), made by Glenn McClain. It actually belongs to my wife, who uses it as a utility knife at reenactment events. It's well-suited to kitchen duties...!

[longhuntr74]

This is an armpit dagger (sgian achlais), made by Glenn McClain. It actually belongs to my wife, who uses it as a utility knife at reenactment events. It's well-suited to kitchen duties...!

....all I can say is "I want one!!!!"

[St. Amish]

This is an armpit dagger (sgian achlais), made by Glenn McClain. It actually belongs to my wife, who uses it as a utility knife at reenactment events. It's well-suited to kitchen duties...!

This may be nitpicking or semantics, but "sgian" translates to knife, not dagger. Daggers are sharpened on both sides, and are typically tapered from the point on both sides.

Beautiful piece none the less.

[Woodsheal]

This may be nitpicking or semantics, but "sgian" translates to knife, not dagger. Daggers are sharpened on both sides, and are typically tapered from the point on both sides.

Beautiful piece none the less.

You're correct; it's obviously a knife...!

It can be worn in the armpit, as the name implies. The hook (with the decorative waves) allows the sheath to be hung in the armpit opening of one's waistcoat, or in the coat sleeve.

My wife hangs it on a thin waist-belt when she's wearing it....