I know more about swords than people who only take shit off of albion-swords.com and coldsteel.com. In today's world, "authentic" just means "packaged properly." And that's all those companies do.

Though, I suppose I could give them some credit. They are more "authentic" than some of their competition. But they aren't really that close, either.

I've literally studied this shit. Along side cultural mythology, as a matter of fact. The two often go hand-in-hand. I have seen historical references, comparison charts, original molds.

Generally, when I say something about... I suppose you could call it "primitive" weaponry (swords, spears, axes, etc...), I more often than not know what I'm talking about >.>