Ok, so the portland meet thread got me thinking. How many knife guys do we have on this board? Or even better, how many sword guys do we have?

Whats your involvement in knives/swords? what style do you like? Do you collect, use, or just oogle?

I would enjoy making swords and knives but lack of funding (with a good amount of procrastination) has kept my forge at a standstill. I am a semi active poster over at sword forum international and that is where most of my knowlege comes from.

I'll start. I am mostly interested in longswords, type X swords (viking, scottish basket hilts, and some schiavonas), katzbalgers, and khukuris. I'm not much for little knives. Well, I would like what is called a Pen Knife that is offered by himalayan imports and by comparison it is a small knife at only 13" overall length.

Usually I can just oogle swords online (the local sword shop might have a couple of real swords (instead of sword like objects) but I havn't handled enough to be able to identify a good sword) but I am starting a collection off by a custom one designed and made by me (and someone who knows what he is doing). I also have two himalayan imports khukuris: one Kobra, and one Ang Khola.