Supplemental Information: How can a Mateusz Sulowski $3000 sword be a good value?

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

I think many people have slightly unrealistic expectations for swords in that price range. Honestly once you get north of $1,000 a lot of people want perfection. But no sword will be absolutely "perfect". And everyone's definition of perfection will vary. With that sword you're paying for individual attention to detail in both the aesthetics and handling. It's a work of art and it justifies its price point in my opinion. But as you said in your review there is still a human element to it. Which some people might not expect to see in a $3,000 sword. Fortunately there are so many great options out there in every price point. It's honestly a great time to be into the hobby. Great video Matt, cheers!

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

You pretty much said the same thing Matthew said in the video. All you need to do to justify the price tag of this sword is say it includes the scabbard. Easily worth 3k.

[@svintsitsky]

Always fun watching Matthew's reviews!

[@ryanbrockmiller1648]

very nice explanation on value. As someone who has just started their collection I was really happy to hear you say now is a good time to be in the hobby. I couldn't agree more, I have always loved swords but they were always just so expensive for ones that I like. Now there are a lot of budget choices for decent looking and feeling swords out there. I am really excited to to collect more in the following years. One of which is that Royal Armories sword you have there, I absolutely love that one. Some day I would love to have a sword by either one of the Sulowski's.

[@christopher7398]

Who would think this is overpriced? It’s a hand forged sword with a beautiful handmade leather sheath. You’d be paying nearly the same for a comparable Albion with a sheath and they use stock removal. If you don’t like a handmade touch and a high pricetag don’t get a handmade sword.

[@notanotherswordreviewchann4901]

Sulowski is a grinder, he doesn't create his own steel....

[@vinlehtolammi3631]

​@@notanotherswordreviewchann4901 what do you mean by "create his own steel" ? Almost no sword maker produces their own steel (this is true for both modern and historical sword makers)

[@danielkeding3071]

Value is an important aspect of sword collecting. Value needs to be determined not only by what you get but also by what you can afford. A $3,000 sword might be a great value but if its way out of my budget then its a moot point. The Mateusz sword seems to have it all but as you demonstrated there are other swords that are also great values with a much lower price tag. Good video. Thanks.

[@Ranstone]

Now do a 30,000$ Peter Johnson! :D

[@johndee7303]

Apart from all the things already mentioned by plenty of other people, there is also a case to be made for individuality. A custom piece may gain value by virtue of being the only one of it's kind. If you buy any old Albion from their website, what you will get might be a high quality product, but it won't be unique. My own collection is rather modest with a distinct lack of high end custom pieces, but I can definitely appreciate that aspect of collection as well

[@kevinc3751]

As a fellow collector, novice practitioner, and enthusiast I feel the market has a growing range of excellent options in multiple price points from different smiths and brands. It is nice to have options.

[@Blindy_Sama]

As much as I am a budget sword guy and very much a notorious cheapskate I'd say 3,000 for a very intricate handmade sword from the ground up is reasonable if it was done by a really great Smith with lots and lots and lots of detail. That being said I do know there are still some excellent Smiths out there that can do very good work with good amount of detail and sometimes include a skyward for a lot less than that it depends on where you go to and what you want done. GGK still makes great stuff at a great value from what I understand another good Smith that seems to have reasonable prices will be Wesley beemus lonely wolf forge I believe.... Add Sterling armory makes good stuff but I don't think that they take commissions anymore. As a matter of fact if you want to see some cool stuff with cool seats and scabbards definitely look up wes's stuffed on a partnership with Steve huerte.... I could be spelling that wrong sorry but anywho there's stuff that they've done together is really nice.

[@Pablo668]

For me, the argument is more perspective. A musician will easily pay that kind of money (if they have it) on a musical instrument. A photographer, hobby or professional can easily spend that much on gear. People into RC vehicles could also spend that on gear quite easily. The value of a thing, well that is to an extent subjective. Depends on the person and the object.

[@WhatIfBrigade]

Econ voice: A sword costs $3,000 when the maker would have too long a backlog at $2,500.

[@WhatIfBrigade]

I think there is a income/value scale. If you are living in the EU and make 2,000€ a month, you will probably be much happier with six 500€ swords purchased over a period of time than one 3,000€ sword and should do that instead. However, if you make far more a year and your sword budget is tens of thousands a year you should feel almost obligated to buy at least a few swords for 3,000. Sure, also start a Landsknecht Emporium collection with all of the fancy options. Buy some Albions. However, at that level you are a patron of the sword making arts and should absolutely be buying custom swords. Order magnificent scabbards. Order sharpening and polishing. I love LK Chen and Windlass for bringing us cheap swords. And, people with the budget should aim higher.

[@kennethg9277]

"Should" is the wrong word though, isn't it. If someone's a millionaire but decides that a spare $3,000 is better given to a medical charity than spent on an artisanal sword that has no more practical usage value than a $500 beater, they're more objectively correct in their assessment, aren't they. So they "should" do that, if anything.

[@kelticknight6116]

Great informative video good sir ⚔️ Functional Historical Art And Attention to the Details Are Truly Amazing Cheers ⚔️🤘⚔️

[@jaydavis2679]

I think part of the value is that it's unique. It's an especially unique blade style for a longsword. You can't really buy a blade type like that on a longsword without going full custom. Along with all the fine detailing, of course.

[@flowerpower457]

The low cost of Chinese and Indian labor has distorted perceptions of value and fair pricing. The hourly rate on this is probably quite low for the level of skill involved, probably lower than many of us in the US would be willing to work for. Hey Matt, I want to hire you to do some consulting in your field of expertise. What can I get for $3k? I'd guess a day or two tops--far fewer hours than it took to make this sword and scabbard. A $3,000 sword can be a great value.

[@KF1]

In economics they have a term called "opportunity cost". Like if you spend all your money on A, you can no longer pursue B, C, or D. I just don't see the value when you could buy some sandpaper, leather, wood, and an above-market reno for a fraction of the cost. I'd rather my truck be 100% paid for, and only then explore sword options. Nice swords and vid, just my opinion

[@malthus101]

So who are the top 5 smiths in the world? (exculding Japanese smiths who are in a different class of their own) thanks!

[@erichusayn]

Do you know if he makes sabers?

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Look at his website. It literally shows all the sword types he makes.

[@Kryptokeeper9]

That is a beautiful sword. 😂 you pulled out the conan sword.

[@Ranstone]

That sword, selling for 5,000$ 20 years ago. (2005?) would sell for 8000$ in modern 2025 buying power.

[@matthewdavies2057]

At that level of quality it becomes art.

[@rF-Phenom]

Quality and Craftsmanship are hard to quantify in terms of value. Look at the knives that Kyle Royer produces that sell for 5 figures, his swords go for 6 figures…and in my eyes they would be worth it for the amazing work and detailed work he does. It gets to a point where its crossing into art, not just a tool.

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Bro, I don’t think Kyle Royer has ever sold a sword for six figures. What sword did he ever sell for $100k+? Also, none of his work is worth his prices. He also never states who exactly buys his pieces, and no one has backed up the insane prices he claims his stuff sells for. The most expensive sword he ever advertised selling (that I’m aware of) was around 65k. I personally don’t believe any of his stuff sells for anywhere near what he says.

[@rF-Phenom]

@ you are right, i misspoke on that, i thought i recalled one selling for six figures but i was wrong. To the other point though, why would you disclose who you are selling your work to? That seems like a very bizarre requirement. I wouldnt expect that anyone.

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

@@rF-Phenom I’m not necessarily saying he should specify who he’s selling to. I worded my comment wrong. I just find it strange that no one out there has ever done a video on their pieces they’ve purchased from him. He claims to sell these pieces for outrageous prices (I can’t recall any smith ever charging or claiming to have actually sold pieces for the prices he claims), yet no one has ever talked about owning one, and especially paying these prices.

[@rF-Phenom]

@@AdoreYouInAshXI id wager that the people who buy his work are not the type of people who make videos discussing their purchases.

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

@@rF-Phenom maybe, maybe not. I’d guess the people that are enthusiastic enough to spend that kind of money on his stuff are also pretty big enthusiasts that spend a good deal of time interacting with the sword and knife community.

[@One_foot_in_the_Grave]

Good video, value is always been subjective. Somebody who earns $500,000 a year, &has disposable income reflecting that would be able to find Great value in buying a masamune antique, for $100.000. where I am saving for a true Nihonto and I'm hoping to get one under $2,000 , likely made by an unknown Smith & that's far out of Polish And I will consider that good value.

[@MatchGrade08]

Seems like a really bad value to me. I would hope I would get a real super steel. I didnt see you talk about that but I would hope for chromium, vanadium and tungsten. It does not help I think that type of sword looks short and stubby to me and weak because the balde is so much wider than the handle but I would have liked to see a long sword with a longer than normal handle. I do not believe something looks better because its complicated. It just looks like another tan sword to me when you hold it. The scabbard looks ok. It does not look that different to tiger stripes from a distance. I think a 3000 dollar sword should have a gem stone in the guard.

[@erichusayn]

Just like a custom katana. Made alone, with purpose, by a man who loves the craft, not one of several hundred or more from a production run that were heat treated in a batches of 100 with everything slapped together by some Cinese lady, just to turn a profit. Just the time and effort put into the sword alone is worth the price tag. They charge you $90/hour to for some crack emthusiast to work on your car. Hes a known smith who im sure hes way more than 33.3333333333 hours put into that sword.

[@MatchGrade08]

I perfer the chinese katana sword I got. I dont think these hand made scabbards compare to getting a a real sword with tungsten in it. For 3000 dollars i would hope the sword itself stands out. Did he make it out of cpm 3v. Did he figure out which steel is a real adamantium. I hope he and his team engineered the greatest sword ever seen and scaled it the size with the changing average height of people from medieval times. My sword isnt that but t10 found for 40 dollars sounds like real value to me.

[@SmartAss4123]

It's an amazing blade. It's only worth it if you dont have leftover debt or you can justify it in your budget. Basically ONLY if you're very well off financially

[@Matt-uy8tw]

the nice things with cheaper swords you dont have to worry about them. a $3,000 sword would make me cut with it little if ever and you still have to wax/oil it.

[@KF1]

It's kind of like having a super nice car. A scratch is a big deal. It can be an emotional liability and only loses value quickly when used at it's purpose.

[@frerkshow9874]

So you think you can have great value and not paying 3k? Just so that i get that right...

[@mr.j1381]

I would not even try to justify it I'll tell my girlfriend he truth, that i battle other immortals on the weekends its a tax write off or somthing.

[@Kratos_God_of_50_BMG]

I 💯 agree, Mateusz Sulowski makes works of art, not just “pieces of history,” and who wants to swing that around just because?? Sorry but I think Albion is just overpriced, way long over waited attempts at historical accuracy that just aren’t worth the wait when there are Mateusz Sulowski pieces you can get from less expensive sources?