You have all been extremely helpful. I feel I need not worry too much about a patina finish. From the blades' metalurgy discription, the blades' construction should be well enough to begin with. Now, mind you, I can only compare these numbers with what I have seen elsewhere as I do not know what they mean:
1095 carbon steel

It really does look very nice. I wont be off and antiqueing ALL of my stuff because of it, but its nice enough to make me excited! :)

After I field test it, maybe I will do a write-up for everyone. Im sure not as knowledgable as the great many studious minds here, but at least I can give some simple recommendations.

Thanks kindly all,

Uh, what is this "patina" that you guys keep talking about?

<--- Newbie, sorry. :P

my swords just sit on their stand and get admired by all. But during the summer months i wave them at my neighbors in a threating manner. :p

I practice in the Germanic schools of fence. Someday I might get good at it too.

I use a sword from here to practice my drills and do some free play from time to time. http://heimrick.netfirms.com/page4.htm

I also have a LUTEL (unsharpened no less!) that I can use for cutting!

Next up is one of those custom jobbies from A&A that Craig mentioned in the winter update.

Then on to a Regent, a Sovereign, a Gustav Vasa and probably a German Bastard I... :\

I gotta get more money from somewhere...

I fight my brother with my swords. and we haven't got hurt... yet. ;)

Thats OK, buddy. You have to ask questions to learn! Welcome aboard!

Patina is an "antiqueing" process where they artificially age the steel, causing it to weather and look very old. It is done with acids. Its popular now to get a sword from a manufacturer, with a "patina" look, making it look old and rugged, or aged.

I wish I had some comparrison pictures to show you; perhaps there are some here on the site?

Always feel free to ask questions here, thats what this forum is for. There are so many people here that have incredibly in-depth knowledge; they are helping me to learn as well!

Welcome,

Hmm, I hit things with mine - I like to call it "personalization", and I personalize my blade whenever I have had a blah day. Does wonders - "chicken soup for the WMA's soul".
Unless of course it's a really old blade, and then I fondle it and spoil it with tender loving care.

AND, often times I look at my blades and wish I reenacted a blade-period :cool:

Right now I display them, go to Ren's with them, and play with them. Soon, I am going to start doing some live steel.

It is a great hobby/passion.

Enjoy,

John Burley

Jason - yeah, finding a group that's close AND authentic is harder than it sounds ;)
If I were a few hours south of myself, however... hmmm... teleport....

Cool beans John. Are you going to commit to live steel western martial arts education, or re-enacting? Both are wonderful persuits.

David, teleport, hmmm... Try the Home Shopping Network, they have Everything! :) Where are you at roughly, maybe I can point you in the right direction?

Patina is the oxidation on metal. It makes it look like an antique.

Just curious because I've never been to one, but how realistic are these reinactments.. All I can picture is a bunch of people either swinging at each other slowly or leaving the field in an ambulence. :p

I'm thinking there must be quite a good deal of skill and control required to join these things, yes?

Most definetly! Re-enactors that deal with live steel combat have to train very hard at being safe. Puling our shots is the number one part of that training.

We start with wooden wasters that will only cause a bruise if accidentally whacking someone, instead of sheering something off, like steel :) Once we get it down on how to pull our shots, we move on to learning to REALLY pull our shots with steel. All the blades are blunt with a semi-rounded tip to minimize accidents turning ugly. But in the end, its who can deliver the blows more skilfully (NOTE: Skillfully, not faster), planting a shot well enough to be felt through plate armour, or well enough not to break someone that isn't in plate armour. The one that can pull that off walks away a winner!

But it can really be a site to see, if you watch a few groups that know what they are doing. Check this place out:
http://medievalreenactment.fotopic.net/
Probably the largest photo archive of U.K. medieval re-enactments.

If you are interested in talking with a re-enactment group, or possibly seeing a battle in your area, let me know where to look and I will try to find you a group.

My swords mostly hang on my walls and look pretty, occasionally handled for cleaning or (if it's not frigid cold outside and I have a big cardboard box that needs to be put to death) test cutting. Not all of my swords have scabbards; those that do I sometimes wear to the Renaissance festival (yes, I am a proud "rennie!").

To tell you the truth, I may be all about "histric authenticity" with my Living history and re-enactment group; but I am also an artist. So every so often, I just have to go nuts and hit a Fantasy faire or Renn-faire and bust loose with some wild junk! Rennies are OK, so long as they make that distinction between actually trying ot be period authentic and when they are just having fun and doing whatever! Theres no shame in being a Rennie :)

Have I bugged you about the event I am co-coordinating in September yet Edward? Its in Cambridge, which shouldnt be too terribly far from you.