After recently going to the MRL showroom outside of Atlanta, and making a sword selection in person (even though it apparently has hair in the lacquer), I was wondering what other sword makers/distributors have retail showrooms (hopefully better ones). With all the advice about handling a sword before purchase; how do you manage to do that? I think the best most of us can do is to handle some other folks' swords and then order by phone or over the internet, but then the problem of differences in batches can come into play. Is this a big enough problem to warrent the extra effort in getting to whatever showroom a company operates?
I'd like to get a sharp longsword fairly soon, but I want to do it right. I've read the many very useful articles and essays about sword choosing and purchasing, but I'm looking for specifics. Who has stores, where, do I need an appointment, etc.? I'm sure many other new sword whirlers would appreciate what the old salts have to say on this.
