Darksword Armory [link]

They're designed for type of SCAers who take live steel out on the field, so they're designed to take and give some hits.

Ours (SCA) aren't sharpened, but they could be without a whole lot of trouble.

Edit: lust lust lust [link]

Ah, cool. See, I've found a couple of sites, but I don't know deco weapons from real weapons, so I'm trying to find good sites.

All sites that sell ninja costumes, I'm kind of discounting...

My sister's BF's husband is a state trooper, and I'm going to see if he would take me to the range for a lesson, if I buy the ammo and the practice time, or what have you.

And I just ordered a compound crossbow catalog. I kinda hope it comes on the same day as a fashion magazine or something...

Learning to shoot was a boon to writing, feeling the recoil, hearing that really loud bang, seeing the lick of flame out of the barrel, smelling the smoke.

Plus it's cool to hit the target where you're aiming.

I've shot a .22 before, but that was a loooooong time ago, and I was only 9 or so.

The medieval repro weapons, would one just use a whetstone to put an edge on them? Or would one take it to a armoror? I was thinking a SCA toolmaker anyway, for the sake of the story.

For knives, I like A.G. Russell.

How does one find/make boots where blades come out?

Are you talking about contemporary boots? Many tactical boots for cops and soldiers have pockets that can fit small knives in them. Like here.

You can use a boot knife with any boot that has room for your leg and and the knife, although they're really designed for military-style boots. If the boot is much higher than the ankle, there are serious contortions involved in getting at it. Boot knives have sheaths you clip inside a boot. Here are some examples: [link]

eta: And ita and I both head for A.G. Russell.

Blah. Breathing hurts. Every time I inhale or exhale, it hurts all around my rib cage. And when I cough, it hurts like hell. I am so sick of this. I just want to be able to breathe.

The medieval repro weapons, would one just use a whetstone to put an edge on them?

A whetstone would be used once there's an edge on it--unless you've got a *whole* lot of time. The ones sold battle-ready on that website are probably about 1/8 inch thick. You'd take a file to it first, then a whetstone to clean it up, much like finer and finer sandpaper when finishing wood.

But yes, an experienced bladesmith or someone used to metal working in this field would be recommended. If you just want an edge and you're not too picky about the sword, a metal worker with the right files could do it. If you want a good edge and have a blade that's worth taking good care of, take it to a bladesmith or swordsmith.

Yep, I was talking contemporary.

Bookmarked! Awesome -- thanks so much. If you think of anything else, let me know.

Hil, I feel so bad for you. Call the pulmonologist and have hysterics? You can't wait a freaking month for this shit.

Erin, I found this place when I was looking up information on blackjacks and saps.

You can probably find a lot of info in the forums.

Unlike a lot of places interested in weapons, this place has a very strict weapons-only discussion and forbids sexist comments, racist slurs, attacks on sexual orientation and forbids discussion on hot topic issues.