I saw some kickass swords and katanas in a shop in the next town a few weeks back. I really wanted to get one, but I wasn't sure if I would be allowed.

Does anyone know what the legal age to buy both blunt and live (real, sharp) swords is? Thanks.

If you're underaged, you're still allowed to buy it under supervision of an adult.

I checked a couple of web sites that sell swords in the US, and they said 18 minimum to purchase...

Why didn't you walk into the store and ask? :confused:

As far as I know, here in OZ there's no official restriction, but then again I could be wrong.

I would guess 18 years.

Yep 18 years old here too but there was talk about swords and knives becoming elligal as of July 1st. Therefore all knives and swords people own here must be handed over to the authorities. Not sure if this actually went ahead but even though I actually have a weapons licence for them, they'll have to pry mine off my dead cold fingers before I give them in. I got one rule and that is "my car, my girl, and my blade, I never let any other person handle".

Bokken, I can definitely understand that! :D I love all my weapons, but I add one more category: My guns. :D

Depends on the state as well -- I remember buying a short sword when I was 15 from the shop (though they've now made the age 18 here too).

I bought my stainless steel---aka "decorative only"---swords at a flea market that really didn't care, so long as you had the money...

I would like to have a Katana. You must be 18 here to purchase one.

Then, the question is what's the difference between a knife and a blade? I mean, they can't actually take every single steak knife from everyone, but they can be used as a weapon. Same thing with practically every other sharp object. If they weren't sharp, then they wouldn't be useful, but if they are sharp, then they are weapons? =/

Then, the question is what's the difference between a knife and a blade? I mean, they can't actually take every single steak knife from everyone, but they can be used as a weapon. Same thing with practically every other sharp object. If they weren't sharp, then they wouldn't be useful, but if they are sharp, then they are weapons? =/ </font>[/QUOTE]Exactly. I always tend to think this but I guess people who commit crimes will often preffer a Tanto or some form of sword to use.

Theoretically speaking. Lets say I wanted to kill someone. I could walk into my local store. Buy a nice big knife and walk around with it all day in a bag. The law lets me do this which makes commiting a crime pretty simple. Just take out of the bag (and add water if you will) *LOL*

Yet I am not allowed to have swords or knives in any other form than utensil based at home (within a very small reason). Considering I've spent half my life collecting and even creating my own, this is not something I can agree with. I am not talking about the average $100 Katana but anything from a $1000 folded steel Tanto to a Okishiba Yoshisada singned Katana at the least. Therefore, when yesterday I can but today I can't, I become pretty upset and decide that yesterday you couldn't and today you sure as hell won't.

No age rules here!

Ermm Try Battle Orders. It's an english site so delivery will be good and they have all kinds of weaponry on there! It's really interesting! Check it out!! Swords, Axes, Katana, Armour, Guns Everythin. And Movie weapons too! Funky.

Im into all that stuff too.

Over here In england I think it's anything above 3 inches is illegal in public. Methinks...

It's about time they banned this sort of crap, or at least made the legal age to buy it 91. It has no place in our society.

Hehe in Sweden it´s even 21 for knives and swords(unless it´s a knife for woodwork or cooking) and any kind of knife that isn´t used in work or something is illegal to carry around outside your house.

I'm not sure what the legal age is in my area, I'm not a collector. I knew a guy that had about 6 swords and knives when he was 15. However, the rules might have changed since then, or it might have been illegal. He used to work a night shift downtown, and carried a machete under his jacket when walking home (at bar closing time), which I KNOW is illegal here.

One of my other buddies does have a "Sting" replica (the sword, not the singer) that he picked up in New Zealand. He is over 21 now, but he wasn't when he brought it home through customs. I should ask him how he managed it...

I disagree, but what the hey, go free expression...though I never have understood people who weren't free expression and weapon ownership...but Lanesra, you have conjured a hilarious image for me, and that is commendable...

Imagine if you will, a quiet night in 19th century Japan. A corrupt, wealthy foriegner has begun exerting control over the local town. From the shadows leaps a figure of black, swinging his walker in one hand and his Ninja-to in the other...lol

Hi-ya

I wonder when they'll ban having rocks and sticks.

If you have to ask the age, then it appears that you will also ask the price. Therefore, you are looking at common stuff, and or replica which is less than common. Which would require a no age check to purchase. Presumably if it's in a shop for sale, then it's legal.

Unless you are spending 1000's, the sword is not real. A replica with a sharpened edge is nothing more than a replica with an edge.

What Lanesra is referring to is the junk market. I fully agree, that crap out to be banned, or at least put out to the Flea market crowd.

Check for Association: http://www.thehaca.com/

Ahh, what a blade: http://www.antiqueswords.com/ew215.htm

A Katana for you: http://www.antiqueswords.com/bq396.htm

[beavis and butthead style] uh huh huh, huh huh huh huh huh, uh huh. Anything longer than three inches is like, a deadly weapon and stuff. Huh huh huh[/beavis and butthead style]
[img]smile.gif[/img]

I dunno, Felix, some things that are meant to be purely decorative don't need to cost $7000...I really can't see buying laminated steel for something that you're just going to hang on the wall and never touch for any reason except to keep it shiny (which stainless steel helps with anyway).

But that's just my opinion...I personally wouldn't buy a $7000 authentic Katana unless I was a diehard collector with plenty of money, or I had delusions of being a Highlander....

I wonder how in the world you buy Steak knives or heck, scissors. You have to take them home, but they're illegal to have outside of the house. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

The market for in-home forges would skyrocket! I see an investment oppurtunity....:::runs off to buy stock:::

Both natural products, unlike swords. Now tell me, can you think of a way we could stop this sort of thing ?


http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/06/3...t.killings.ap/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/541982.stm

http://1010wins.com/topstories/winst...166062734.html

http://www.irvineworldnews.com/Astor...albertsons.htm

There's no easy way to stop angry and/or mentally disturbed people from attacking others. Banning swords and knives won't do it; baseball bats and sharp kitchen knives are legal, deadly, AND readily accessible.

About 98% of the people who collect swords and knives are relatively normal and well-adjusted individuals. You just have to worry about the other two percent, whose sword fetish is symptomatic of other problems.

Yeah, sword ownership is pretty integral to the martial arts I study, so I wouldn't be too keen on giving up my sword because of the irresponsibility of others. However, it's ridiculously easy to buy a sword (which is, after all, a deadly weapon designed for the specific purpose of killing people regardless of how beautiful the craftsmanship may be)here in NZ. I just waltzed into the store (which incidentally is an 'underground' shop that also sells various bongs, pipes and other drug-use paraphernalia [img]smile.gif[/img] ), picked which weapon I wanted, paid, then waltzed out. No questions asked. I don't think that's a particularly good system of sale.

I can pretty much second all of what Heiro said. Kinda worries one, doesn't it?

Thanks Lanesra,

I will save these links for future use. The last time we had a good gun debate, I was at a loss for this type of link. I will surely use it next time around.

It's not the weapon, but the person who uses it.

Tanks.