Seven swords, collectible knives, daggers, and four sai. Not a world record, but it sure is a lot for a typical high school student.

Junior Madeleine Walton has been collecting weapons along with her dad since she was 12 years old.

“My dad raised me with a fascination of weapons, he’s the one who taught me about them all my life,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot about where traditions come from, how fighting styles vary, and how to respect each weapon; cleaning, sharpening and rearranging.”

Walton and her dad get their weapons at renaissance fairs a couple times a year and usually once a year at a Fanime Convention. In total, they have spent a couple thousand dollars on weapons. The most they’ve paid for a weapon was $180 for a two-handed long sword.

Walton bought her first weapon – a dagger – at a renaissance faire. It’s a huge ornate decorative dagger in the shape of a dragon. She loves the variety,uniqueness, and artistic designs of each weapon. Her favorite is the Highlander Japanese katana replica with a carved on dragon design that she bought last year at Fanime.

“I just love the way it looks, it’s fun to hold and the dragon handle design is so unique,” Walton said.

Walton and her dad do not do much with their weapons, usually just displaying them or showing them off to friends.

“Occasionally we might cut up a cardboard box with them to let out some anger,” she said.

“Mostly, it’s a good way to keep Madeleine’s boyfriends in line,” added Madeleine’s dad, Mike. “It’s also good that Madeleine is learning to throw knives pretty well. Nobody complains much when you’re over six feet tall holding a sword.”

Walton and her dad often buy prop swords and replicas from movies and shows. Her next move is to purchase a Kill Bill katana, a popular item that shouldn’t be hard to find at a convention. “It likely isn’t much more than $150. My dad and I are likely to get it at the next convention we go to, or the one after that.”

Walton plans to keep buying more weapons in the future and hopefully continue the collection even further.

Walton’s advice is, “Don’t feel bad because a collection may be small or unimportant seeming. Keep going, keep collecting, and be proud. Some day it will impress someone.”

Through collecting, Walton has learned a lot of patience, and that it is okay to have modest pride.

Madeleine and her dad have bonded over knife collecting.

“It connects me with my dad and gives us something to fangirl about together,” said Walton.