User blog comment:DShadow7/Weiss's Myrtneaster on Sell?/@comment-25396609-20151003151140/@comment-4010415-20151004202229

A-Kon allows real swords, as long as they have a sheath. Though, you have to visit one of the security people, and they'll put "peace ties" (basically, plastic zip ties) on it to lock it into the sheath if they can. If they can't lock it into the sheath, they'll just stick the tie on it somewhere to signify that you have visited security, so they know you're walking around with a real sword.

Hell, A-Kon even allows people to sell real swords at their booths, as long as they're carding people and only selling them to people who're 18+ years old. I didn't take a real sword to A-Kon, but I sure as hell bought one there and had to have it peace tied.

That's what I love about A-Kon. They're pretty chill. They let you have real swords, and they don't mind if there's a bunch of non-anime stuff at the con. So, there'll be people cosplaying stuff from video games and movies. There'll be people selling rave stuff (for the Saturday night rave), steampunk stuff, chainmail stuff, pony stuff, general nerd stuff, home-made plushies and hats, whatever. There was even a setup with board games and card games last time I went there.