I agree with Craig in many ways. I (specialize) in my collecting. And after years of collecting, looking at huge personal (educated!!) collectors collections, going to museums in Europe looking in there original Damascus collections in storage. And meeting people who knew the Damascus smiths going to current Damascus smiths forges in Europe. I collect and buy every good reference book out there on the subject and period reference..Yes, go to shows... look what is there be a fly on the wall as they say... I Always have fun at the shows and it is great to talk to Tom W. Tom Johnson and his Wife Tink. Ron W. to many to list!! I always see the sword patriarch Art S. I have owned many Damascus swords daggers etc.... (could I afford to keep them all?? NO ) but I learned something from each piece.... We all make mistakes dealers, collectors, its human..And there is some very good fakes and some very bad.. After reading my post it seems to mirror what Craig has said.. Regards: James