Mike McWatters has been a collector and researcher of antique arms and armor since 1989.  He is a member of the Company of Military Historians, writes for various history magazines, and has consulted for museums, historical societies, and normal people on swords and armors.  He has contributed to many reference books over the last 30 years, but also has a hands-on approach to learning.  He fenced in the Junior Olympics in college, fights with rapier and dagger in historical reenactments, smelted iron from ore and then forged it in his own forge, does cut-testing with modern swords, and has been in the back rooms of museums all over the world.  He currently lives north of Spokane, periodically repelling sieges from his tower.  Not related, he is a lab worker during the daylight hours, has a degree in physics, is a giant sci-fi nerd, and has been a costumer for decades.  Scientist, swordsman, steampunker, and adventurer, in short.