Yeah, but authentic antiques are really expensive and not easy to come by.
At least not ones in good condition.
I actually don't mind owning modern made "replicas" (always found that an odd term since a lot of them are originals by that company).
You can get some excellent weapons of extremely good quality, and in some ways, better than actual antiques.
For instance, something like a longsword, bastard sword, or great sword/claymore.
You can get them a lot sharper as replicas than an antique would ever be.
Not because the antique dulled with age, but mostly because those large, European cross-shaped swords were never all that sharp to begin with.
They were looked at as tools of war, much like guns would be now.
They didn't bother sharpening them so much because it was unneccesary and, in case it broke, the effort wouldn't have been wasted. Just get a new one.
Although, personally, that's why I find most European styles to be less interesting.
Very basic styles, and not much to look at, unlike, for instance, a lot of Asian swords.
Big, heavy tools most the time instead of heirloom pieces.
Anyway, rambling about swords, must stop.
