Emmert Garrocho, the Man Who Couldn't Stop Buying Swords

If you think sword collecting is just for dorky dudes in their basement, think again. Emmert Garrocho, a mild-mannered accountant from Wisconsin, has a collection that would make King Arthur jealous.

It all started when Emmert was ten years old and his grandmother gave him a replica of Aragorn's sword from The Lord of the Rings. "I was hooked," he says. "There's just something about the feel of a finely crafted blade in your hand."

At first, Emmert only collected replicas, but as he got older, he started buying the real deal. He now owns a wide variety of swords, from Roman gladius to Japanese katanas. His collection is so vast that he's had to convert his spare bedroom into a mini-museum.

Emmert's wife, Sarah, is not always happy about his hobby. "I don't understand why he needs so many swords," she says. "It's like he's planning for some kind of apocalypse."

But Emmert is undeterred. "I'm not going to stop collecting swords," he says. "They're a part of me. They're my life."

Emmert's passion for swords has not only led him to amass an impressive collection, but it's also made him a bit of a local celebrity. People in his town know him as the "Sword Guy," and he's often invited to give talks at schools and community events.

Emmert is always happy to share his knowledge of swords with others. "I want people to understand that swords are more than just weapons," he says. "They're works of art, symbols of history, and expressions of culture."

So, if you're ever in Wisconsin and you see a guy walking down the street with a sword in his hand, don't be alarmed. It's just Emmert Garrocho, the man who couldn't stop buying swords.

Here are some of the highlights of Emmert's collection:

• A 13th-century longsword that belonged to a knight in the Crusades
• A 17th-century saber that was used in the American Revolutionary War
• A 19th-century katana that was owned by a samurai warrior
• A replica of the Sword of Gryffindor from the Harry Potter series

Emmert's collection is a testament to his passion for swords and his appreciation for the history and culture that they represent.