They're pretty decent for your first time! Keep at it. I'm sure you'll get somewhere.

1000 ms = 1 s.

I wish I never installed Ubuntu D: I want windows back! I want Paint.NET back!

Don't make the edges so sharp! Do you see any square swords? Give it a shape besides just a sharp edge, make the edges round and just add...detail! Give the wooden handle bandages, add shading, give the sword chips...possibilities are endless!

The halloween sword on iEra. I think it was supposed to be something like that. The proportion might not fit.

nice for your first attempt. My first was terrible haha

The cookie is a lie.

-repped because you spam so much.
anyway, i'll be working on some more stuff and i'll post them when i can.

I like Broozels post better then yours Dylan :]

The sword is actually good :)
But heres a few tips for detail if you want to use it:
-You may want the outline to either blend in with the colors or not be there at all. It works really well
-Make sure your colors all equally focus on where the light source is coming from. You don't want to make them seperate or else it will look a little off.
-As before (But i think you already know), use less colors. Using more will make it too detailed (Looking JPG'd/pillow'd/gradient'd). Most of the time, you really shouldn't add most colors on the outer part but on the inner part of your sprites
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4930/sworddylan.png
Heres an example i made from your sword, for you :)
Also, one small tip: Do not add in too much dark colors. Always keep your colors at medium or light