Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy, like The Lord of The Rings, has a loyal fanbase, and there is a strong market for replicas from the movies, especially swords from The Hobbit.
Yet not all replicas are made to the same level of quality and authenticity. This short guide will break down some of the details associated with that, and how to determine you’ll be putting your money in a good place.
How to Assess Quality
If you’re considering a replica sword from The Hobbit (or from any film series for that matter) here are a few things to look for.
- Does the replica faithfully capture the details from the props used in the films?
This is most important. If the sword replica in question doesn’t capture the details of the props used in the films, not only will it not be recognizable, it will hardly be valuable as a collectible
- What is the steel alloy, and is it stainless?
You should justifiably be somewhat suspicious of any sword if the steel chemistry is not overtly disclosed in the listing. At the same time, if the sword is literally only going to be a replica wallhanger, it’s not a big deal.
In fact, this is one of the areas in which a listing of stainless steel is acceptable, as, if the sword will only be displayed and not used, a stainless steel alloy will help keep rust, corrosion and pitting off the blade.
- Does it come with a sheath or scabbard?
Again if the sword is going to be displayed it is not a huge deal if it doesn’t come with a sheath or scabbard, but at the same time, you’ll get a lot more value for your money if it does, especially considering that replica swords can cost several hundred dollars, if not more.
- Does it feature full tang construction?
Many low end swords are made with stick tangs or tangs that are just welded on. These “swords” are useless as anything other than wallhangers. But, if the sword is only going to be used for display purposes you can get away with it.
Just make sure you are aware of this as it will significantly impact the overall value of the sword.
- Does it come with a certificate of authenticity?
Some replicas of swords from The Hobbit come with certificates of authenticity that safeguard the value of the replica.
- Does it come with any display accessories?
Some replica swords will come with stands or plaques that enable you to mount the sword to the wall. A few may come with both. If the replica does, that’s just one less thing you need to buy if you’re going to display the sword.
Where to Explore Replica Swords from The Hobbit
For those of you who landed here looking for swords from The Hobbit and not an overview of what to look for in them, visit True Swords. They carry a wide range of replicas as well as battle-ready swords, including replicas from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
