Best Sword Racks to Spice Up Your Collection

For avid sword collectors, sword racks are a must-have to keep your collection organized and well-displayed. More than that, sword racks make the most of even the smallest spaces. Instead of piling your swords on the floor, they can create a beautiful layered look under a window or lined up against a wall.

We’ve compiled a guide on choosing the right sword rack, where to get it online, and what your options are.

How to Choose the Best Sword Rack

Sword racks are a practical solution for organizing your collection, though preferences vary on how you want your swords to be displayed. Here are the factors to consider when choosing a sword rack:

Material and Construction

A wooden sword stand or rack should be relatively heavy so it would not easily fall over. Solid wood offers sturdy support and construction for swords, while metal ones are more cost-effective. Although acrylic might be a popular choice for sword holders, it is not sturdy enough for sword racks.

Size and Length

If you have several swords that are all the same size, group them in a rack. Most can only accommodate blades of particular lengths. You may opt for a separate display stand for daggers, such as tanto, misericorde, rondel, and poniard, for the collection to look more cohesive. However, foam swords and LARP weapons are not ideally placed in a sword rack, as their blades can easily get creased or deformed.

Functional Design

Some sword racks can be mounted on the wall, while others are standalone racks that can be displayed around your home.

Wall Mounted Racks

Take advantage of unused wall spaces or free up usable space below with wall-mounted racks. Some samurai sword racks are mounted on the wall, displaying the long sword katana and short sword wakizashi together.

Sword Stand Racks

The terms sword stand and sword rack are often used interchangeably. Unlike wall-mounted sword racks, a tabletop sword stand can make your sword a centerpiece. If you’re lucky enough to have a large room, a sword stand rack can also serve as an island at the center of the space. For swords often used in martial arts, place them where they are readily accessible.

Fully Encased Racks

Some display racks come in a glass or acrylic case that protects your swords from dust and prevents accidents. Some collectors prefer to display their swords without a scabbard. Unless they are unsharpened, it is not safe to use a typical sword rack. When you have a sword collection of mismatched mountings and scabbards, displaying them with their bare blades makes everything cohesive.

Overall Appearance and Design

The best sword rack complements your theme and décor, matching what you have. Wooden racks are ideal if you have wooden floors or furniture, while metal finishes add some edge to your modern home. 

While a simple, minimalist design can go well with most home décor, you may want to opt for themed sword racks especially if you want to organize your blades by types such as Japanese swords, European medieval swords, Islamic swords, sabers, and so on.

Some collectors opt for oriental-themed sword racks for their samurai sword collection while others prefer medieval motifs, heraldry symbols, and emblems. Some sword racks feature decorations such as dragons, griffins, crosses, and chevrons.

Best Sword Racks Available Online

Whatever preferences you may have, you can create the most unique, stunning sword collection. However, finding the right sword rack is another matter.

We rounded up the best sword racks available online to help you display your collection:

1. Double Sword Stand

Are you just starting out your sword collection? Crafted from wood, this two-tier sword stand makes an ideal samurai sword display. It could also serve as a katana holder, displaying its bare blade and scabbard.  Featuring a black lacquer finish that will draw the focus on the beauty of the blade and sword mountings, it also has a red velvet lining to protect your sword from scratches.

2. Two-Tier Wall Rack

This wall rack will let you maximize your wall space, getting those swords off the floor or leaning against the wall. It has an oriental design to complement Chinese swords, the Japanese katana, the ninja sword, and other Asian blades. However, it can only hold a weight of around 5 pounds, so it is not ideal for heavier blades.

3. Sword Holder Stand Display

Your sword collection can become part of your bedroom home decor once you make them a centerpiece. This sword holder stand can accommodate up to four swords. However, it is less stable than wall-mounted racks, so make sure to place it in a safe corner. Also, it may not be the best choice for those who own a vast sword collection.

4. Ladder-Type Wooden Rack

The ladder-type sword stand distributes weight evenly and prevents swords from accidentally falling off, making it ideal for heavier blades. It measures 45 centimeters (18 inches) long and 25 centimeters (10 inches) wide. This wooden rack can also be easily stored on top of a dresser, though it takes more space than typical sword racks.

5. Sword Display Wall Mount

Crafted from wood, this sword rack can hold several swords and scabbards from your collection. It can accommodate typical swords like the katana sword and other medieval swords as long as they are not too broad. It is a perfect choice if you want to have your swords in one place and get a full view of your collection.

While intended for swords, it can also double as a weapon stand for maces, axes, sword canes, and even anime swords. It measures about 95 centimeters or 37 inches long and 34 centimeters or 13 inches wide. It utilizes unused wall spaces, making it ideal for collectors where space is a luxury in their homes.

Sword Hanger vs. Sword Rack

Some collectors find a sword rack ideal for displaying a neat column of swords that fills up the entire rack, but there are several creative ways to showcase them. A sword hanger often holds a single sword, allowing you to spread the collection in different places—or even make use of wasted wall space. You may also arrange your swords artfully and in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Sword holders or hangers are sometimes oriented upright, allowing you to display swords vertically. These are great options for blades that are too long such as the Scottish claymore or German Zweihander that could topple off a sword display stand. A scabbard may also unexpectedly slip when displayed vertically.

Sword Display Case vs. Sword Rack

Unlike typical sword racks, a sword display case allows you to showcase your blades safely. It also protects your swords from dust and damage and requires little maintenance. Some designs also feature built-in lights, which are ideal for swords you would like to draw attention to, transforming them into museum-worthy items.

However, sword collectors who own many swords might find a display case impractical as it takes up too much space. Still, it can be a great option for antique swords and heirloom blades with historical value. It also allows you to display live blades with unique shapes such as a flammard or flame-shaped blade.

Conclusion

Swords look best when displayed together and the right sword rack will transform them into museum-worthy items. There is no right or wrong way to organize your sword collection. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what you need and displaying your swords in a way that you like.