Thanks for your input Jeff...not sure whether your post should have been in the tribe's postings section or not (?)

My students are all sword fans, and I encourage them to buy rifle bags or cases - after reading the various posts here about what everyone takes to carry their swords around and finding only the rifle bags offered really good standard padding and security - a velcro closure isnt my preference for a closing option when i have girls who strap their swords to their motorbikes - a zip or other similar closing is definitely my first choice.

FYI the rifle bags they are picking up are $40 - $75 AUS ( the dearer option with more pockets and larger so able to carry more swords), I personally carry my swords in a heavy aluminium rifle case with padding which cost me $100AUS.

I agree though that people should be considering a high quality bag option for their swords - hands up who's seen or carried their swords around in flimsy fabric bags or even just a rug?

I use to carry around four different custom made sword bags to gigs and classes. I can tell you that that was sooooooo awekward til I bought a $75aus rifle bag. Its padded, water proof, sturdy and big enought to hold all four swords with room for more + 1 cane. The swords I have a weighty, long and still sharp eventhough they have been blunted - Cas Iberia, Moorish and 2 Dragons. Not only is it much easier to carry four swords - its safer. I still have them in their custom made sword bags though to stop them from getting damaged by rubbing together. My rifle bag has cool little zip compartments too big enough to hold my zill, fans, Thai fingers, Poi + my sword care stuff. So not only is it just a sword bag but its actually my prop bag :)