I’m planning on going to a convention soon (not sure which one yet) and selling some wooden swords. If you guys were at a con, and saw these for sale, how much would you be willing to pay for them?
(materials are oak for the blade, walnut for the guard and pommel, and maple for the handle. All will be sanded up to 400 grit, and sealed)
https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/540855454469718017/596548898701705216/unknown.png?width=800&height=640
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/540855454469718017/596548836990779392/unknown.png
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/540855454469718017/596548780476727307/unknown.png
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/540855454469718017/596548744439267329/unknown.png
Well to answer your question I wouldn’t buy a wooden sword.
I think your target market would be kids, so it’d be a question of how much will the parents pay to buy their kid some wooden swords. I don’t think the answer is very much unless they’re quite well made or the kid often gets what he wants.
Do you have one you’ve made already aside from the 3D models?
Ren Faires average about $60 for “full-size” weapons (built to historical scale) with increases for exotic woods / 2-handed weapons, etc.
Daggers / short swords about $35-$40
Hickoryarmsonline.com (example site / products)
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thanks for the link! for some reason it never occured to me to check what other people were charging
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Might want to google “comic-con”. Those kids you refer to come in much larger sizes and have older DOB’s that you might be imagining.
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… and also sport far larger allowances for spending.
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I tend to believe that as well and then I drive by a high school parking lot and see the cars high schoolers have and I have to question everything I thought I knew!!
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also, remember, the kids who grew up watching power rangers and LotR are adults now. And not all of them grew up
I’m aware of cons and the demographic but I never really see those things sell at Ren fests or comic cons or wherever. Only time I see them is with young kids. Your mileage may vary.
Now actual swords? Sure.
It’s far easier to paint a wooden one silver than it is to carry a real sword in many states/municipalities. Nobody wants to run afoul of the law when in costume.
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also looking to sell to HEMA clubs and LARP groups
I’ve had a shop selling wire jewelry at Scarborough renfest for 30 years.
There’s is definitely a healthy market if you are in the right venue
There’s a shop down the way from me that sells the cheaper less-finesse kid-style swords and shields. I’m guessing he makes a killing on them because they’re all over the place.
There is/was a Wood Arms shop across the way that sold/sells very nice high-quality wood weapons, staves, swords, etc. They remind me much of the images above. No clue on prices. I’m guessing there are some online like link above. I’ve seen versions of this type on customers as well. Less common but present. Not sure where they buy (not positive if wood arms shop still there, haven’t gotten that way in awhile)
Re cosplay market
FWIW, I don’t do cosplay, just have friends that do and my helper at the renfair is seriously into it. My helper often works security at these and has told me some interesting stories. 
One thing relevant to you is that my helper has mentioned that some cons don’t allow wood weapons ((I’m guessing liability issues if folks got to playing too hard and someone got whacked upside the head, etc).
It’s possible the limitation might be wood INSIDE (hidden) cosplay weapon since that was our topic. More obvious wood weapons might be fine. Or rules vary
Might be worth researching common rules on this if that’s particularly the target market
Renfair market, if want to actually sell at one, that’s a COMPLETELY different animal and level of investment. If you decide you want to investigate that, lemme know and I can give you a few suggestions. @dryad2b and Captain also are long-timers and I image can offer their perspective if asked
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Like Kyrithia said, I don’t think most cons allow wooden swords. Props are intended to be made of foam or other light/soft materials. I went to
Fan Con in Dallas the other month, and don’t recall any wooden swords for sale… I’m also at RTX tomorrow and will keep an eye out if wooden weapons are being sold.
I think Ren faires might be the only option for wooden ones.
Check with the Con though, since you’d already have to have a conversation with them on getting a booth.
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It’s possible you would have a market at cons, although typically your customers couldn’t wear or use them at the con. Capt and I do the Arkansas Craft Guild Christmas market, and Hollow Earth sells their fine wooden swords there. It’s possible that they don’t make a huge amount of money, but they hire a salesperson in addition to paying the show fees…
Sometimes, when your livelihood is working faires or cons and such, you’ll do a show that just pays your expenses, because otherwise you’d just be sitting home making No Money At All.
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I may grow older, but I refuse to grow up. The first 50 years of childhood are the hardest.
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