The medieval sword took on many variations; ranging from the single-hand to two handed Great Swords such as the Scottish Claymore. These blades were often double edged for slashing and could also be used for thrusting.

In relation to the rest of the world, European swords might seem brutish. They might be considered a polar opposite of the precision that goes into a Japanese katana. The Europeans certainly focused more on overall weight and power as bashing might have been considered just as useful against heavy armor as cutting might be. Medieval swords tended to be heavier, and aside from ceremonial swords, were decidedly less elegant. It's also been said that steel quality in Europe was higher in quality than in Japan.

Modern reproductions of medieval swords are often made of high carbon steel. Cheaper reproductions may be made of stainless steel, but buyers must be wary of these swords. Stainless steel swords are not intended for any sort of functional use, including cutting or sword to sword contact.

One must realize that there are huge variations in quality when it comes to buying a medieval sword. Ultimately, it comes down to stainless steel swords and carbon steel swords. Stainless steel swords are often created for decoration. They are not capable of holding a proper edge, and should never be used for cutting. Carbon steel swords are often designed after historical medieval swords, and can in fact, be used for cutting.

Carbon steel swords are available from many different sources. Medieval swords may be bought from a custom sword smith at a renaissance faire, or online. Buying medieval swords online is often a rather good deal. Hanwei is an excellent company, having been around for many years. They specialize in low cost (relatively) blades that rival expensive swords.

Obviously not all people intend to use their medieval sword for cutting. Historical enthusiasts simply prefer carbon steel because it is often a more accurate material. Aside from that, stainless steel blades are often mass produced and may have a flimsy feel to them. Carbon steel blades, aside from some extra maintenance, work just as well for display as any stainless steel sword.

Collecting medieval swords has become an extremely popular hobby for many people. Swords line the walls of many homes and some people just enjoy swinging them around their back yard. Make sure you go for carbon steel. Some renaissance faires allow people to carry swords (although, most require a peace tie), which can be quite an enjoying experience.

Reproduction medieval swords are a popular collector's item. One might be surprised at how many people collect these swords as a hobby. I've personally been in many homes where these items line the walls. There are a few things you should know if you collect these swords. There are essentially two types of reproductions, stainless steel and carbon steel.

Stainless steel reproductions are great for decorative purposes. These swords are often inexpensive and generally feature lots of flashy decoration. In general, they tend to even 'look' cheap. You can find these online or at just about any flea market. Stainless steel is good because it's virtually maintenance free. However, although stainless steel works great as a material for knives, it is worthless as a functional metal in anything over a foot. A stainless steel sword will surely snap if you attempt to use it.

Carbon steel medieval sword reproductions are much stronger. They are often used in functional swords and you may find these online or at renaissance fairs. If swords are intended for sword on sword exercises, the edges will often be rounded and slightly thicker to prevent damage to the blade. One must be careful when selecting a carbon steel blade if they intend on doing any kind of cutting or stage combat. The blades must be properly heat treated. There are many cheap carbon steel blades being sold online that will not always suffice for the purposes you are buying for.