I have noticed the shock many folks have when they hear the price of a custom made sword. And, believe it or not, I understand. I always tell people that the ironic thing is this: I couldn't afford to buy one of my own swords! Why? Because I bladesmith for my living! Believe me, you really have to love what you do to try to make a living at this.

A well done custom made sword is the best there is. If you want the best, it will cost. Not every violinist has a Stradivarius - and that is a major part of the appeal. And nobody is too surprised, shocked or flabbergasted when they hear the price of such an instrument. Yet those who do have one, probably don't carry it down to the local tavern and practice with the boys. They probably have a plain old fiddle for that. If I had the money, I would have a real good handmade that I thought was the best, just to admire and appreciate it, but I would buy the less expensive factory mades for banging on my friends swords with.

Be warned! Just because it is custom made doesn't mean it is the best. Really good bladesmiths are rare, and for every true master I have seen several dozen well-meaning but misguided wannabes.

It is a major purchase so please check it out first. See the maker's work. Ask questions about how he does it. Don't be intimidated by big metalurgical words, as this is often a smoke screen. If they can't translate them into plain English they probably don't even know what the words mean.

The heat treat is the key. If they give you secret recipe stories or something that sounds off the wall, retreat and find somebody who knows what they are doing.

Many seem to think that if the blade performs well, then fit and finish don't matter. You are buying the whole package, if it costs $5,000 then it had better look like $5,000. The fit and finish says everything about the makers pride in workmanship and if he will cut corners on the gaps and scratches he may cut corners on the heat treat.

Having said this, if you find such a sword for under $5,000 dollars these days it is one heck of a bargain. I have encountered outright hostility from other makers when they hear the prices on some of my swords. My own prices are lower that many others and I strongly encourage folks to check that claim out.

But I really enjoy making such blades available to as many people, who really appreciate them, as possible.

Click here to return to Kevin Cashen's HSG Sword Maker profile. Click here to see our index of Sword Makers!