swords free of animal products?


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swords free of animal products?

by William
(Charlotte, NC, USA.)

I've been trying for some time now to find a sword that doesn't use any animal products, like the ray skin in katana or leather grips and scabbards used in a lot of european swords. I'm vegan so I try to avoid meat at all costs, but I really want to collect swords. I've really been pulling my hair out over this so if anybody knows of one it would great I you could tell me about it. Thanks.

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swords free of animal products?

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Apr 10, 2010
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Tactical
by: Anonymous

i would recommend you to a tactical sword. they usually use rubberized or scale handles. hanwei is putting out a tactical wakizashi which can be pre-ordered at kult of athena. as well as that, almost any custom sword makers will make swords in a "tactical" style, this normally means one piece construction with scales on the handle, a good custom maker will do it with a blade that has been harmonically balanced and which handles really well.

other than that i'd agree with some of the above posts in suggesting asian swords other than katana, they rarely use leather for anything.

Mar 29, 2010
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Indian made swords
by: Anonymous

You may also consider some swords made in India. India having a largely Hindu population often refuse to use some animal parts in their products. They consider some animals holy including the cow and some are veggies and vegans themselves. I have yet to see a Indian product made with real leather, Wheather it be walets and purses to jackets and belts all fake leather. My strongblade swords witch are also made in India all have patent leather on their handle's and scabbards. And it's pretty much blatantly obvious it's fake too.(as long as you know what good real leather looks like) This is something that I always looked down upon, but in your case it would be a good thing. Hope that helps you out some.

Nov 16, 2009
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Plastic is Fantastic!
by: Anonymous

Since Wilinson went out of business, the largest manufacturer of real swords is now Weyersburg Kirschbaum - marketed through Marlow White; they're using plastic composites for the handle material on the U.S.M.C. officer's marmaluke and the 1902 U.S. Army sabre. dig http://www.militarysabers.com/

Also, ANY custom shop will most likely be willing to build a sword with any type of non-animal handle material (except maybe tofu!) you specify...

Dec 15, 2008
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Suggestions
by: Anonymous

Look to Hanwei practicals for Katanas--they use artificial materials for the handle wraps. You should also look into Jians/Gims, Daos and Phillippine Sandata; none of these seem to use leather very often if at all. You could also buy katana blades in shirasaya and then come up with your own handle wraps.

Dec 14, 2008
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Suggestions
by: pogo4321

The biggest problem you're going to have is in scabbards, unless there are specific types of swords you're interested in. Windlass has a number of swords with unwrapped wooden handles or wire wraps (a number of companies have one or two models with wire) but most have leather scabbards. Every so often I run across a katana with imitation rayskin--for example my Hanwei Practical fantasy, but it has a leather-like wrap over the imitation same (this could be fake leather, I'm just not sure). Look at Hanwei especially older practical katanas. Some swords that often have no animal skin: Daos, Jians/Gims, Phillippine sandatas (Kris Cutlery would be a good place to start).