Results and comments from the Aug/Sep 2003 survey.

	Ýves’ big SCA rapier survey #1 ~ Merchants: Comments about shopping
	Updated: May 24, 2005

You are here: Home » SCA » Rapier » Survey 1

Policy blurb

By default, authors of comments sent in response to this survey are named only by their permission. Usually, other people mentioned in a comment are named only with their permission as well. Each comment represents only what the author typed in for the survey at the time.

» This survey was conducted during August-September 2003. Things change over time. «

Some comments were edited for content. Certain harsh words have been changed for your amusement. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the surveyor.

To get YOUR name listed with YOUR comments, just give me permission. See the e-mail button and information at the bottom of the page. Let me know your SCA name and kingdom (as of Aug/Sep 2003), and I'll add the attribution to your entries.

# of Responses
by Kingdom
 
AEth.  = 34/235
Anst.  = 36/240
An Tir = 56/347
Art.   = 12/124
Aten.  = 27/460
Atl.   = 60/425
Caid   = 49/400
Drach. = 21/76
Eald.  = 12/77
East   = 46/480
Loch.  = 22/120
Mer.   = 27/140
Mid.   = 52/640
Nor.   = 25/164
Out.   = 26/214
Tri.   = 46/237
West   = 14/70
Unk.   = 2

The gist

The comments below were sent in response to Questions 13 and 14.

This page features feedback about merchants and shopping in general rather than about specific suppliers.

The comments

Note: Any remarks in the comments below from Yves look like this.

Comments about specific suppliers are on separate pages.
See the links at the bottom of this page.
 

Being there

Φ Tri. ~ I really HATE doing mail order for something that I haven't seen and touched, so I mostly do my buying at major events and wars.  ``Dulcia

“Caveat emptor, et cetera”

Φ AEth. ~ I had an "interesting" experience with one of the smaller merchants at Pennsic... there were price "penalties" for using either a personal check or a credit card -- luckily I had the cash for my purchase, but it should have been clearly stated in advance... If I hadn't been paying attention, I might not have noticed that the "tax" was more than PA's usual 6%... :(  ``Miriel

Above: I cannot tell if this was about a merchant who sold rapier equipment, but I found it worth posting. The heading roughly translated: "Let the buyer beware, and so forth."

Φ AEth. ~ Anyone selling fencing equipment without having any understanding of what they are selling or making claims that cannot be substantiated. Be cautious with Museum Replicas for fencing equipment. Anyone who continues to carry France Lames has an inferior product. Be cautious of any vendor who will discredit your marshalate's knowledge of what is or is not permissable within your kingdom.  ``Corwin

Φ Art. ~ Chivsports, By-The-Sword, etc... hate catalog sellers.  ``Justin

Φ Atl. ~ I will not buy the Gladius stuff from the people who sell it at the Wars. They are not very good business people, and are difficult to deal with.  ``Nikolai

Φ Caid ~ I find that specific merchants have specific things that they are good at. (kind of like fast food).  ``Dalen

Φ Tri. ~ Some of the rennie vendors who happen onto the scadian scene are not honest nor back their products.  ``Coinneach

Down Under

Φ Loch. ~ There are none in Australia. Maybe SCA Australia corporate could arange for a domestic supplier? It would go a long way tward enriching the SCA experience! :)  Talk to Arms and Armor in the US as they want to get their weapons and blades authorized for use and may be willing to have a rep in Australia! :)  ``Marc

Try Luan in Polit...

Great White North

Φ Eald. ~ Tractor Supply Stores / Canadian Tire / Arcery Stores/ Second Hand Stores / Stores that carry discontinued or bankrupt store items. They all carry unusuall items SCA related.  ``Gerrard

Φ East ~ I wish there were Canadian suppliers, because customs are freakin' expensive when ordering from the States, and the exchange rate is scary too.

Easy to please?

Φ Anst. ~ Anyone with online access with good photos, a good reputation and resonable prices.

Φ Anst. ~ To many to list, but I always try new venders that might be good. If they are good and the blades I get are above standard then I pass that info along.  ``Pieter

Φ Caid ~ No favorites, I usually pick up blades at wars where I can try them out first.

Φ East ~ Actually, everyone at pennsic has been excellent.  ``Fei-Hong

Φ East ~ Other people who make large orders and are willing to sel to me.  ``Cynan

Hard to please?

Φ AEth. ~ I have not found any reliable suppliers to date. I think I have bought off just about everyone in the USA plus outside the us. Most never have what I want when I want it. 2 or 3 years wait sometimes just to get something. I am currently looking for a 40 diamond cross section sclarger (prefer solveign) and any 40 epee.  ``Lodovick

Φ Anst. ~ All the modern fencing suppliers have terrible customer service.  ``Benedict

Φ Anst. ~ Unfortunately I have never found a One-in-all bussiness for SCA supplies.

Φ Eald. ~ No favorites. I deal with those I need to.

Φ Tri. ~ N/A as I get my equipment whenever and wherever suits me at the time I need new stuff.  ``Seamus

No favorites or don't know (generic comments):

AEthelmearc 2, An Tir 1, Ansteorra 1, Lochac 1, and Midrealm 1.

“Something done right...”

Φ An Tir ~ I've made most of my equipment, with the exception of my mask...

Φ An Tir ~ I do my own leather work and fiberglass blades. My lady does my Garb and armour.  ``Duncan

Φ Atl. ~ I have started making my own hilts so...

Φ East ~ For the armour, I make my own.

Φ Mid. ~ Most of my gear is either self-made or done by accomplished friends.  ``Kyrstyan

Φ Out. ~ I build or sew most of my stuff other than blades.

Who??

Φ An Tir ~ Dark Rose armouries (graet hilts).  ``Gwydion

Can't tell if he actually meant either Black Rose or Darkwood. Both could also be said to make great hilts.

Links to comments on specific merchants

American Fencers Supply . Darkwood Armory . James the Just / Amazonia

Scottie Armory . Triplette/TCA

"The rest" -- comments on the many other merchants mentioned in the survey responses.

Your feedback is most welcome!

My nifty email form stopped working ... but you can still send me email if you would like to.

Original page posted: October 18, 2004. Last tweaked: July 1, 2006.

The address for this page is [ www.therotunda.net/rapier/survey-1/q14-shopping.shtml ]
 
Nothing on my Web site is the official publication of anyone else. Unauthorized use for profit is not permitted.