Dating would you find this weird?

[Lavenderfields121]

Heya. I met someone quite recently and went to his place yesterday for a meet up. All went well and he was very nice and we had a lovely evening. He seems to be a bit unusual though and although it didn’t creep me out it confused me a bit if this makes sense so was wondering what other people would make of someone who collects weapons (not guns). I just found it a bit strange to see them mounted on the walls but I know that it’s a hobby so maybe I just watched too many horror films 😂
There was also a baseball bat under the bed which I found really odd (it was sticking out so I saw the handle). I did ask him about it and he said that his biggest fear would be someone breaking into his house at night and that the bat made him sleep better. Do people really do this? I have only ever seen stuff like this on the tv and I almost wanted to laugh but didn’t because it would be mean if he was seriously worried.
Now he seems super nice and interesting but definitely a bit quirky and I’m not sure if other people would find this weird or just me. Thanks!

I think something can be off-putting without it being a ‘red flag’ as such. Yes people collect different things. But I can’t see myself being compatible with someone who collects objects designed to kill and harm people. So, while it might be quite ‘normal’ to collect swords etc, I still wouldn’t date someone who did.
Excellent point made by PP who pointed out what use is a baseball bat when there is a huge array of other weapons for an intruder to arm themself with 🤣

Oh he doesn’t come across as a macho type guy. He is definitely a bit nerdy but seems genuinely interested in the items and a history buff and so. I think I was more taken aback by the bat under the bed after having seen the collection. Sorry I had just been a bit unsure what to think. I guess it’s better than having no interests at all.

This wouldn’t bother me. My husband has always kept a baseball bat under the bed. I disagree with it, but his view is he might need it if someone breaks in. My view is if someone breaks in, barracade ourselves in and call the police. Let the burglars have at it.

I think you might be labouring under the misapprehension that burglars are kind, friendly, respectful types, as long as you let them take your valuables. There are many other, less anodyne possibilities.

I thought most people kept a heavy weapon under the bed! My father did and so did exh and neither were aggressive types. It was just for burglars.

Some of these answers are bizarre to me. If it's a red flag to collect weapons by MN standards, presumably it's an even bigger red flag to take lessons in how to use them. In which case, my friends and I (a group of nerdy men and women) must ALL be suspicious characters.

My friends used to do medieval reenactment and the assassin's guild at uni. Why would any normal, well-adjusted person want to learn how to use an axe or a spear in this day and age? Why would they want to stalk their peers around campus and pretend to assassinate them? They wouldn't, of course! Nutcases, the lot of them!

I've studied several martial arts, including escrima, and own a sword and kali sticks. What kind of raving psycho wants to learn to fight armed AND unarmed? Why would I bother to acquire these skills if I had no intention of using them on anyone? Surely I can't just be interested in such things and find the exercise fun and therapeutic? Hah! Don't be naïve! I'm clearly a ticking time bomb! 😱

Are you actually trying to justify his weirdness in your mind, because I'd not go back a 2nd time, and most people seem to be of the same opinion? Yet you are passing comments such as "I guess it’s better than having no interests at all" and "But I guess some people have the same fear here so that doesn’t seem too unusual then." It's plain creepy, make excuses at your own risk.

You have discovered why he is single.

it would be a no from me, trust your gut.

Sounds like a weirdo to me

I think it's a bit strange (probably because I'm not into that type of thing) but it wouldn't disturb me. Generally violent people aren't going to have weapons mounted on their walls!

Also the baseball bat under the bed is normal to me? My dad was a policeman and when I was growing up (in the 80s) would keep a truncheon under his bed. My ex kept a kitchen knife under his bed. Both were in nice areas (to be fair there's far more chance of been broken into if you're in a nice house / area than not!).

I keep a baseball type piece of wood in bedroom in case of break ins. However unlikely I want to hit them hard enough down the stairs.
I’ve also done archery, but would never use a bow as decoration, yuck. It would look hideous and I like my surroundings enough to not have that shit as decor, ever.
More suspect is this blokes idiocy in arming every intruder with deadly weapons before they get to his bedroom, and thinking he’ll beat them off with a bit of wood.

My husband has a ridiculous amount of guns in our house

We live in a nice area - both professionals

If someone broke into my house, it'd be me dealing with it while DH hides in the wardrobe - he's not very manly

I could have written this exactly! We keep a baseball bat under the bed but I would be very unhappy about collecting weapons.

I keep an old honing steel under the bed.

I had a friend who kept a baseball bat in the car, presumably for road rage incidents. I told him he could get done for carrying an offensive weapon so he got a baseball to keep with the bat, 'Just on the way to a game officer'. Not sure if that would have worked.

I had an uncle who collected knives, they were all mounted on the inside of his wardrobe door!

'It's better than having no interests at all'?! What are you doing, @Lavenderfields121 ? Why are you considering continuing a relationship with someone who has a hobby that makes you shudder? Why do you think you should put up with feeling uncomfortable, just because it proves he 'has an interest'. Is he the only man who could ever find you attractive, or something?

Look, to put the other side to you I have swords on my wall and pole weapons in my back room (this is not an euphemism).
I also have a baseball bat beside my bed. This is the only thing I would grab if I heard a strange noise in the night.

They are to do with my hobby.

In and of itself it's not a red flag. What may be is his attitude. If he tries to swing them around and get all macho, he's a knob.

This. Pay attention to any spidey senses OP - they're there to protect you.

I still don’t really understand the interest or obsession and I think it’s strange, but he seems like a really nice guy. His book collection was equally eclectic so he might just be a bit unusual. There were a good few people on this thread who didn’t find it too strange.

Bit rude. As some one who practises kubudo and iaido, it's a brilliant hobby. I love swords, some are a work of art. That said. I wouldn't put mine on my living room wall.

Other possibles -- an interest in martial arts? an interest in battle reconstruction??

You and me both 😄

An excellent point