Wands -- how many to a witch / wizard?

[Marcy]

When Harry walks into Ollivanders in PS/SS Ollivander says {paraphrase} it seems like only yesterday your parents were in here buying their first wands.

First wands? Why would a wizard change wands?

The first thing that comes to mind is Ron. He got a new one when he broke his old one...but if you remember, the wand was his older brother's to begin with. Why did bill or charlie {sorry can't remember which right now, and dont have the book at my office} get a new wand and give his old one to Ron anyway.

It adds an interesting question to all of the debates about Lily's wand being good at charms. Is this the wand that she still uses?

Is Voldemorts wand his "first one," or did he buy it later. And what is the purpose of getting a new wand?


Somebody help me out if you have any theories!

Thanks

[Dedalus]

Olivander's wording might have just been a bit odd. I don't think it's necessary for a wizard or witch to buy a new wand, but a wizard (like Ron) could break theirs, or their wand might start looking a bit tatty and worn.

Charlie may have been no exception to the having a second hand wand, and when he got a job he may have got himself a new wand ... giving Ron his.

There's nothing to suggest Voldemort getting a new wand though. We can only assume that his wand was the first one he got. Generally I think that's the most common case ... wizards and witches will look after their wands and will die with the ones they were given first.

[Marcy]

But then who did Charlie get his wand second hand from?

[Dedalus]

Bill? Second hand wand shop? It might not be. He might have just fancied a new wand. I don't think it's important, though, because that wand's probably ended up in the bin by now.

[Cat]

Maybe wands rot after a whole. Or suffer a fatal dose of termites.

Or maybe after a while, the magic starts to go slack. I know the magic probably comes from either the wizard or the atmosphere (depending on your concept of magic in Harry Potter), but an old unicorn hair or a shrivelled up phoenix feather could hinder your magical potential a bit.

Wand deterioration might only happen if you don't look after the thing, though.

[Jaenelle]

Maybe it's like saying "my first car"? I know that there *are* people who only own and drive one throughout their lives, but most people look for new ones when their needs change.

(Please don't hurt me...I'm new at posting)

[Cat]

Originally posted by Jaenelle (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=381112#post381112))
Maybe it's like saying "my first car"? I know that there *are* people who only own and drive one throughout their lives, but most people look for new ones when their needs change.


That makes sense. Maybe Charlie suddenly thought that his wand wasn't impressive enough to girls?

Innuendo entirely accidental.

[Jaenelle]

Another comparison could be to musical instruments. When you start out, you acquire a perfectly good instrument to learn on. Once you get good, those who rely on their instruments look to acquire something more...precise to work with. Some wizards may not need their wands to do more than day to day stuff - cooking, cleaning, blotting parchment, picking troll bogeys...but for the wizard (or witch) who uses their wand 'on the job', like Charlie or Bill, a wand that resonates more with the need would be more appropriate.

[sylistra]

Originally posted by Cat (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=381116#post381116))
Maybe Charlie suddenly thought that his wand wasn't impressive enough to girls?

Innuendo entirely accidental.


AHAHAHAH!!! Thank you for the Good Morning Laugh! :rotfl:

[Jessica]

There used to be a thread about Charlie's wand in the great hall but I can't find it anymore.

Maybe the mods can find it?

[Phoenix_Fawkes]

If i remember correctly charlie gave his wand to ron becuase he needed to get a diffrent type or something to work with the dragons! I could be wrong but thats what i remember

[Cobra245063]

I know 100% that it was Charlie's wand that now belongs to Ron. It was in chapter six of PS/SS I believe. The title is Platform 9 and 3/4. It's either five or six. Anyways, never really thought about why Charie gave his wand to Ron. Possibly Charlie had to buy a fireproof wand. He does work with dragons after all. Didn't Percey get an Owl for being made a Prefect? Maybe Charlie got a new wand for being made a prefect. And instead of throwing his old one away he decided to keep it and give it to his little brother to help out his family.

[dorcasderr]

Perhaps, as in broomsticks, there is a fashion element to some wands, and for those so inclined only the latest wand will do. Of course new needs as career direction emerges or talents develop might have something to do with it as well.

[Thyme_of_Change]

I like the idea that different wands are better at different things. If your talents lie in one direction, the wand that chooses you is good for that sort of work(i.e. charms). But I think if you don't take care of your wand or if you use it roughly it may wear out. And maybe after you graduate from Hogwarts you can actually comission a wand that is precisley what you want.

[emikkime]

I think when wizards and witches are born, somewhere in the World is a perfect wand for them, however there are many other wands they might use which are almost (and by this I mean, if their perfect wand is 100%, then another wand they could use could be 99.99999999%) perfect for them. I don't think it particulary matters what wand you have, as long as you can do the spell, but we all know that there are certain wands for certain cases. Priori Incantatem at the end of GoF, for example.

[Puffskein]

I imagine that wands can deteriorate. Remember that the unicorn hair was nearly sticking out of the wand Ron got from Charlie. In Fantastic Beasts there are creatures called Chizpurfles that can gnaw to the core of a wand. It might not be much use after that. Also, people might change their wands once they've got an idea of what branch of magic they prefer.

[Sortiri]

Another comparison could be to musical instruments. When you start out, you acquire a perfectly good instrument to learn on. Once you get good, those who rely on their instruments look to acquire something more...precise to work with.

That makes sense to me! I would not but my daughter a stienway as a beginning pianist. Would a beginning wizard still trying to "find" his place in life necessarily be "chosen" by his ultimate wand?

[FirefightingMuggle]

I think that your first wand would be the one that you learn magic with, and is most suited to your general talent before you learn anything, making it a powerful tool for any wizard. But, perhaps, as a wizard grows he develops strengths in other areas, or gets a job that requires skills other than what your first wand is particurally good for, and you have to buy a new one. Incidentally, I don't think that a wizard would ever just pitch his old wand in the dustbin, I think he would keep it around, just in case he ever needed it....

[Cobra245063]

Originally posted by emikkime (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=381598#post381598))
I think when wizards and witches are born, somewhere in the World is a perfect wand for them, however there are many other wands they might use which are almost (and by this I mean, if their perfect wand is 100%, then another wand they could use could be 99.99999999%) perfect for them. I don't think it particulary matters what wand you have, as long as you can do the spell, but we all know that there are certain wands for certain cases. Priori Incantatem at the end of GoF, for example.




The way it sounds is that you've got like a soul mate. You're soul mate in life is 100% for you but then there are other girls that you have a lot in common with that are 99.99% perfect for me but there not my soul mate. But what if say Vicktor Krum's soul mate wand is made by Ollivander but he never visits Ollivander's shop? What happens to that particular wand? Does it just sit on a shelf for the rest of eternity?

[sylistra]

I don't think there is only one wand for every wizard, even though Ollivander says "the wand chooses the wizard" er whatnot. There must be several combinations that work for a single wizard.

If there were only one wand for each, they wouldn't be able to pass down wands (as we've seen in Ron's case). And there's got to be more than 1 store to buy wands in in the world, and since it's safe to assume there is, there's a chance you would walk into Ollivander's, for instance, and not one would work for you. This leads me to believe that there have to be at least a few wands that will work to their full potential in the right wizard's hands.

[Cobra245063]

Yeah in GOF during the Weighing of the Wands ceremony, Mr. Ollivander says that Krum's wand is a Gregorovitch creation. So that proves that there are other wand makers. I's be willing to bet that this one is in Bulgaria.(sp?)

[Marcy]

I suppose my ultimate question is:

Did Voldemort obtain Harry's brother wand when he was Tom Riddle or Voldemort?

I just can't imagine Lord Voldemort strolling into Ollivanders. [;)]

[Rounded Buddha]

Originally posted by Marcy (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=380990#post380990))
It adds an interesting question to all of the debates about Lily's wand being good at charms. Is this the wand that she still uses?


How can she still use it if she's dead?

[Marcy]

Originally posted by Rounded Buddha (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=381876#post381876))
How can she still use it if she's dead?


OOps!:o I meant still used when she got older:banghead: my brain is mush.

Hurry Harry Hurry!

[sylistra]

Marcy - my guess would be that he probably has been using that wand forever, or at least aquired it while still known as Riddle. It's not like Voldemort could mosey on into Ollivander's and buy a wand.

HAH! sorry, i read too quickly. We all make mistakes. you already said 'I can't imagine him strolling into Ollivander's'

sorry!

[hootch]

I envision it like a musical instrument also. My husband plays electric guitar and has several favorites. One is "the axe" for him. The others are acceptable. The difference to someone listening to him play the three guitars would hardly be noticed. All three are the same brand, same model, perhaps different year. The differences are subtle. So I think wands are that way too. Most would be acceptable, one is perhaps ever-so-slightly better for a certain person. I also think that many wizards keep their original wands

[Cobra245063]

Well doesn't Ollivander say that you won't get the same results with another wizard's wand? If you've got something that you always use, (like my bat for example, I play baseball) don't you just perfer to use that one. I don't do as well with someone else's bat. It's more of a psycological thing than a "this bat is better than that one."

[dorcasderr]

Firefightingmuggle said:
"I don't think that a wizard would ever just pitch his old wand in the dustbin, I think he would keep it around, just in case he ever needed it"

Kind of like keeping an outgrown pair of glasses...just in case!
I also think some wizards keep their original wand...an Ollivanders wand seems like a Cadillac of wands, suitable to be kept for a long time. Some wizards might have to get the equivalent of a WalMart wand, and trade up later.

[Hammi]

I agree that you keep a wand until u cant use it anymore. Its not like a broomstick that u get the newest make every year, u keep ur wand

[Ollivander]

I am astounded that I am the only person to think of this. It is evident from all the books that a wizard can use another’s wand if necessary, but it is not as effective as their own. The process of finding a wand seems like it can take awhile, and you have to wait for your special wand to make its way into your hand. With that said, I believe that Charlie was given a second hand wand because of the lack of money in his family and his parents purchased him a proper wand like they did for Ron, when they got the money to do so. An argument I believe was where do the second hand wands come from. Witches/Wizards do die(leaving their wands) and it is very probable that there is a shop in Diagon Ally that pays for second hand wands so they can re-sell them to families like the Weasley’s. After giving this subject much thought, that is what I came to a conclusion of. I would be happy to debate the subject, please respond if you want.

[Thyme_of_Change]

I neve rthought of that..."Bob's Discount Wands", LOL.

[Dark Fallen Pride]

Originally posted by Ollivander (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=382529#post382529))
I am astounded that I am the only person to think of this. It is evident from all the books that a wizard can use another’s wand if necessary, but it is not as effective as their own.


No I thought of this, and was about to post it...but you got here first.

[Cobra245063]

Yeah there's probably a second hand wand shop somewhere.

[Marcy]

But didn't Hagrid say. "Ollivanders. Thats the only place for wands." {paraphrase}

[Dark Fallen Pride]

Originally posted by Marcy (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=384677#post384677))
But didn't Hagrid say. "Ollivanders. Thats the only place for wands." {paraphrase}


Well it can't be the only place, Fleur and Krum didn't get theirs at Ollivanders.

[InvasionOfTheGuru4]

Sorry if someone already posted this, but I think that they just get a new wand when their old one snaps, like Ron's did.

[Avalon]

What about Sirius? What happened to his wand when he went to Azkaban, was it snapped in two like Hagrids? Or is it kept as a record of the spells he performed. Which could have proved his innocence if he was ever given a trial. The wand would show that he never killed those people.

[dorcasderr]

Good point! Maybe it was conveniently supressed...kind of like the Dementors being allowed to kiss Crouch, jr to shut him up. It is probably in a box in the bottom drawer of Fudge's desk at the Ministry.

[Sincerity]

It's made apparent in all the books that another wizard's wand can be used. In PoA, doesn't someone use someone else's wand in the Shrieking Shack?

I'm with the "wand soul mate" theory. I mean, I think that a wizard can use any wand, but there is one wand out there that will boost their power.

[dorcasderr]

Don't forget that Crouch. jr used Harry's wand to conjure the Dark Mark. But what about if your "soul mate" wand is broken? You then have to go with second best?

[Sincerity]

Originally posted by dorcasderr (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=385478#post385478))
Don't forget that Crouch. jr used Harry's wand to conjure the Dark Mark. But what about if your "soul mate" wand is broken? You then have to go with second best?


Hmm, I didn't think about that.

[Zachary1993]

When Harry walks into Ollivanders in PS/SS Ollivander says {paraphrase} it seems like only yesterday your parents were in here buying their first wands.

First wands? Why would a wizard change wands?

They each bought one wand. He used the phrase first wands because he was talking about two different people and together they bought one wand each making it two wands. If he just mentioned Harry's father or mother he would say first wand because he is talking about one person. He said this because it is proper grammer in this case.

[Quote =The first thing that comes to mind is Ron. He got a new one when he broke his old one...but if you remember, the wand was his older brother's to begin with. Why did bill or charlie {sorry can't remember which right now, and dont have the book at my office} get a new wand and give his old one to Ron anyway.

The wand Ron got was probably made out of the same thing. Maybe Charlie or Bill had the same kind of wand so that is why Ron got it.

It adds an interesting question to all of the debates about Lily's wand being good at charms. Is this the wand that she still uses?

Is Voldemorts wand his "first one," or did he buy it later. And what is the purpose of getting a new wand?



Somebody help me out if you have any theories!

ThanksI think when they get new wands they get the same kind as the one they had before and it has to be made again. It is a new wand but it works the same as the one that broke. That is the only type of wand they are allowed to use.

[canteurervan]

Only those wizards have not got any history of conviction of having his wand destroyed by the MoM will be replaced with a new wand if necessary; otherwise, Ollivander, or any wand maker, won't sell new wands to them.

***van.

[Jaenelle]

Hagrid doesn't have a new wand. He put the pieces of his wand into the handle of the pink umbrella he carries around. It obviously still works, like Ron's did when it broke, but it is probably very finicky.

[Mad Macca]

Wands are a lot like shoes ( :lol: )
You can grow out of your wand. SOmetimes your wand breaks, so you have to get a new one. Sometimes you need a special type of wand for your job, and sometimes you might get a new one just because it's a latest trend.

[la_ginny]

Magic wands are like broomsticks, I think. At least in the way you think about new and used ones. Well, sort of. (this theory is falling apart as I'm typing). What I mean is, I agree with what others have said that a wand can deteriorate through wear and tear, and it's possible that the magical core can "rust," so to speak. That's when you get a new wand. Or, you get a new wand when you want something flashier, or something more "high-tech."

But, at the same time... the wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. So what do you do if your wand "chose" you, and then it broke? Does another wand "choose" you?

I think it's possible that several wands can be well-suited for a witch or wizard, and the best one at that time chooses you. Another wand could come along and steal your heart...

[UselessCharmMaster]

I think wizards/witches have to change their wands when they change themselves. Growing up, learning things, all this must create different needs. Remember, even Mr Ollivander says that he remebers Harry's parents choosing their "first" wands. And Ron in PS/SS uses his brother's old wand.

[OmarGama]

I think that every single wizard can have more than one. Only when the old wand is broke or it doesn't works anymore. (I think)

[Adalbert Waffling]

There is another explanation. Perhaps, apart from breaking it, a wizard may need a more powerful wand. Voldemort may have bought a new one to take over, and James and Lily were in the order,(we know it isnt because James is an auror, JKR stated that James held a "small job") and they needed an upgrade.
Or perhaps a wizard buys a new wand when they get a career change. A wizard who does alot of transfiguration may originally have a wand adept for charms. But since their main field is transfiguration, Doesn't it seem within reason to get a new wand that's better at transfiguration?

[Dagmar]

There is another explanation. Perhaps, apart from breaking it, a wizard may need a more powerful wand. Voldemort may have bought a new one to take over, and James and Lily were in the order,(we know it isnt because James is an auror, JKR stated that James held a "small job") and they needed an upgrade.
Or perhaps a wizard buys a new wand when they get a career change. A wizard who does alot of transfiguration may originally have a wand adept for charms. But since their main field is transfiguration, Doesn't it seem within reason to get a new wand that's better at transfiguration?

Kinda like a bag of golf clubs? The right wand for the job. I could totally see that. But if the wand chooses the wizard maybe there is more to it. A magical "bond", kinda like a marriage.

[Adalbert Waffling]

Originally posted by: Dagmar
"A magical "bond", kinda like a marriage."

Divorce anyone? :)

But apart from that, I still think you could choose a new wand. Maybe it isn't being the exact one, but also measurements. Like stated earlier in this forum, the proper length of a wand is from the lebow to the tip of the middle finger. The bond may not be as sacred as some may think...more of a physical thing than a spiritual thing.

[ErickGama]

I think that there is just one wand for every wizard or witch because in the first book, Mr. Ollivander makes Harry try some wands and just the one with the feather of the phoenix accepted him. In the Weasley's point, I think that they can use anybody's wand from their family because they are some kind of like the same! That is my opinion!

[Venus_77]

Hmm... You certainly have a point there, But I think tha Voldemort didn't change wands because... umm... the wand that he bought was the same phoenix feather as Harry's... Am I still making sense here?

ALL I KNOW IS VOLDEMORT DIDN'T CHANGE WANDS.

[Magi]

I like to think of wands as analogus to guns....
Guns for different purposes, with varying characteristics such as accuracy, calibre, capacity, length, modes of fire, weight. Such characteristics combine to produce guns suited for different tasks, some for personal protection, policework, infantry warfare, sniping, some are very powerful but difficult to handle, others are easy to shoot but relatively harmless. Most new shooters start off with easy-to-shoot calibres, such as the .22. But as a shooter learns more and more about their ability, they may find they're best at shooting pistols, shotguns, carbines, or sniper rifles, so they obtain new guns to match their abilities and purposes.

So applying that for wands.....
Wands for different purposes, with varying characteristics such as length, thickness, core, wood. Such characterstics combine to produce wands suited for different tasks, some for Charms, Transfiguration, some for the Dark Arts, some provide better control than others, while some have more power. Most new witches and wizards might start off with a general-purpose, easy-to-control wand. But as their skills develop, a wizard finds he's best at Charms, Transfiguration, Dark Arts or DADA, etc., so they obtain new wands to match their new-found strengths, or perhaps cover their weaknesses. Different wands could be better suited for different jobs too.

[OmarGama]

Yeah I think so too.

[padfootgrim]

i think that you can get as many wands as long as they fit you... cause what if you break a wand? you would have to get a new one.. or it just gets old... like ron's was chipped in the first book

i think voldmorts wand was his first one

[roxiefire]

Originally posted by: Dagmar
"A magical "bond", kinda like a marriage."
But apart from that, I still think you could choose a new wand. Maybe it isn't being the exact one, but also measurements. Like stated earlier in this forum, the proper length of a wand is from the lebow to the tip of the middle finger.

Are you sure about that? Maybe it doesn't seem right because I'm an adult but I would need a 16" wand. And I'm a girl! Maybe its because the measurements are effective as children, and well, you're smaller when you're 11 than when you're 21, most of the time anyway.

[Lil Red Head]

I don't think people switch wands as much it seems like I'm hearing. I think most people get one wand and keep it for life. There are exceptions, like a wand breaking, or the family heirloom (Longbottom family), and I think there must be some business in the second hand wand trade. Like someone said, people do die, and something must happen to their wands.

So families like the Weasley's can purchase wands at second hand shops, but it certainly isn't ideal.

I think for most folks, there is a certain soul-mate sort of thing to it. It would seem to me that as a person gets older, they get better and better at using their wand so in a sense it grows with them.

I'm sure you can get a wand that will do, can get you by, but you really want to get the wand that fits you like a glove. In some cases (Harry, Voldemort) it's almost as if they are destined for a certain wand. And in the case of those two, the wands are pretty powerful, so it's not like they're going to outgrow them.

I did look it up in SS - US paperback, page 82 - Ollivander says "It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. <snip> Nice wand for charm work." (italics added) He then talks about James' wand, and that it had a little more power and was excellent for trasfiguration (go figure).

So the fact that he says first wand about Lily, but not the same thing about James leads me to wonder if she did end up replacing her wand at some point. If it doesn't come out in the canon in the future, it could lead to some interesting fanfic. ;)

[rotsiepots]

Are you sure about that? Maybe it doesn't seem right because I'm an adult but I would need a 16" wand. And I'm a girl! Maybe its because the measurements are effective as children, and well, you're smaller when you're 11 than when you're 21, most of the time anyway.

Heh, are you sure you aren't part giant? Hagrid's wand was/is 16"! ;)

Somehow I don't think JKR used this allegedly "proper" method of determining wand length.

[jasper]

I think it's strange that the stuff that happens in Olivander's when Harry tries out the wands doesn't seem to happen any other time. All the wands that aren't "for" Harry malfunction - smoke, loud blasts or whatever. From that scene, it seems like a wizard wouldn't be able to use a wand that didn't "choose" him.

But later on, wizards don't have any trouble like that when they grab other wizards' wands.

Also, I don't think Voldemort necessarily had the "brother wand" from his school days as Tom Riddle. I think there was probably a time when Voldemort could still shop at Diagon Alley before he had fully launched his reign of terror and what not.

[Adalbert Waffling]

I think it's strange that the stuff that happens in Olivander's when Harry tries out the wands doesn't seem to happen any other time. All the wands that aren't "for" Harry malfunction - smoke, loud blasts or whatever. From that scene, it seems like a wizard wouldn't be able to use a wand that didn't "choose" him.

But later on, wizards don't have any trouble like that when they grab other wizards' wands.
Maybe the reason Harry couldn't work the wands properly, is that he didn't know how. When a wizard/witch hasn't learned how to do magic, they can't use other wands as effectively if it's not theirs. More advanced wizards may be able to interchange wands.

[Magi]

I think it's strange that the stuff that happens in Olivander's when Harry tries out the wands doesn't seem to happen any other time. All the wands that aren't "for" Harry malfunction - smoke, loud blasts or whatever.That's a movie invention. In the books, Mr Olivander just snatches the wand out from Harry's hand as soon as Harry grabs it.

But later on, wizards don't have any trouble like that when they grab other wizards' wands.As a wizard learns to control his powers, he'll be able to rein in uncooperative wands to obey him. But of course, as Mr Olivander said, the results won't be as good as with the wizard's own wand.

[UselessCharmMaster]

Hmm... You certainly have a point there, But I think tha Voldemort didn't change wands because... umm... the wand that he bought was the same phoenix feather as Harry's... Am I still making sense here?

ALL I KNOW IS VOLDEMORT DIDN'T CHANGE WANDS.

Yo're making sense, but we don't know if this wand was his first wand. He didn't change his wand since he killed the Potters (BTW, how did he get his wand back, having no body? :huh: ), but maybe as Hogwarts student he'd had another one.

[Adalbert Waffling]

Hmm... You certainly have a point there, But I think tha Voldemort didn't change wands because... umm... the wand that he bought was the same phoenix feather as Harry's... Am I still making sense here?

ALL I KNOW IS VOLDEMORT DIDN'T CHANGE WANDS.

Apart from them being brother wands, what is the evidence that voldemort didn't change wands? DD said "A wizard is who he chooses to be." That is the reason I don't believe in the prophecy. Voldemort may have gotten the wand, and some magical element between Harry's scar and Voldemort may have made the wand a perfect match.

[Ganymedes]

well, my opinion of the subject, and I guess it must surely have been stated before by others, is as following....

I am positively sure that most people change their wands once or twice in their life, it is seldom you can keep a thing in good shape for your whole life and if they get their first wands when they begin at a Wizards School.... Perhaps someone who almost never used their wans and were perfectionistic etc, would be able to keep the same wand all their life, but they belong to a minority....
When Ollivander says their FIRST wands, they must surely have bought new ones later.
Another reason for buying a new wand can be personal developping, growth etc. The wand chooses the wizard, but if the wizard changes, perhaps another wand would function better with him.....

This brings me to another question???? If people inherit a wand or something, then the wand will not have chosen its wizard, outside circumstances will, does that make the wand function badder with the person?????

It seems I am rambling and that I might ramble on for quite a while if I don't restrain myself.... Better stop now....

[stupiddeer]

remember ron's unlce bilius, he saw the grim and died so maybe charlie got his wand but then when he became quidditch captain or prefect or something his parents bought him a new wand or maybe he got a new wand when he got a job or there could be other less good stores than ollivanders and ollivanders is only for those who can afford it ollivander makes all his own wands so maybe it came from a crappier wand maker, remember how fleurs wand had a veela hair in it

i would like to see some double wand dueling

[BlackChidori]

I understand everyone saying a different wand for a different job, because that makes sense, but what about this?

If a wizard wants to be an Auror, for example, and is very good in everything but Charms, why wouldn't they buy a wand that is good for Charms to boost their ability, since they are already good at everything else?

Handi-capped wands or whatever you would call them...

EDIT: The Dark Lord may have bought many wands, but the wand he bought and used right before he took over may have been the wand Ollivander sold him. What I'm saying is The Dark Lord could have cycled through many wands and finally ended up with the brother of Harry's wand.

[hpfan_08]

I think that they have a limit of a million trillion wands, but whether or not anyone has ever reached that limit to prove it is the question.

[BlackChidori]

Thats what I thought the thread would be about before I read everyone's posts.

That editorial in The Magic Quill on Mugglenet got me thinking though (called The Double-Barreled Wizard, I think) can a wizard use two wands simultaneously? (One in each hand)

That would be effetive...

[grammer]

I haven't noticed many people mentioning the cost of wands. As I recall Harry's cost 7 galleons. The one time we saw into the Weasley vault, Harry saw no galleons at all. Obviously, Ollivanders brand new wands are quite expensive. B&B's over on Knockturn Alley, might be only one of a few places that sell 2nd hand wands. Maybe only the "BEST" wands chose their owners.

After all Ollivander's might not be the only place in England to get Wands. Maybe Hagrid took Harry there because he knew Harry could afford to buy the Rolls Royce of Wands?

[starxgazer]

I think that the only possible way that an wand could be replaced or a wizard could get a new one to replace the ruined one. I just thought of something, doesn anybody know if their is a spell to destroy your own wand?

[grammer]

Why do you feel that way starxgazer? Who or what do you think oversees wand use?

[godrics hollow]

well u could duel with 2 wands? just a thing i got from dedalus diggles fan fic. the war within... or their wand was bought and say it was good for something but in your fields of epertise u needed a wand that is especially good at something else walk into olivanders ask him for a wand good at what u need it to be and keep trying the wands with similar things like wood type to ure old wand but the wand u get for hogwarts (if u can afford a new one :blush: ) should just be the one thats right for u and then u can get a wand with a certain specialty and voldy only had 1 wand cause his wand and harrys are brother wands (philosophers stone) and they cant duel each other (goblet of fire) so he got 1 one

[Credo Buffa]

I am positively sure that most people change their wands once or twice in their life, it is seldom you can keep a thing in good shape for your whole life and if they get their first wands when they begin at a Wizards School.... Perhaps someone who almost never used their wans and were perfectionistic etc, would be able to keep the same wand all their life, but they belong to a minority....
When Ollivander says their FIRST wands, they must surely have bought new ones later.
Another reason for buying a new wand can be personal developping, growth etc. The wand chooses the wizard, but if the wizard changes, perhaps another wand would function better with him.....

This makes a lot of sense. Since I'm an analogy fiend, I'll use one here from the real world:

So, when you start playing an instrument, you're probably not going to be playing the same one that you will five or ten years from the time you first begin learning. What is a perfectly good instrument when you start will eventually be a restriction as you improve, so you'll move on to something better. That doesn't mean that you can't still play your old one, or anyone else's for that matter, but yours will always be the one you sound the best on because it is what you've practiced with and what you've grown accustomed to. You know all its little quirks, so you know how to work around them, whereas on another one, there will be certain aspects of the instrument that will escape you because you haven't had that kind of time with it.

I think wands are probably the same way. You can use anyone's wand, but things might not always come out as clean as they might with your own. And, in rare cases, you might have someone that sticks with the same wand for many, many years if they happen to start out with a really good one.

This whole analogy thing brings up another question. . . Do you suppose some wizards might have more than one wand that they use interchangeably? For instance, could a certain wand be more useful for certain types of spells than others, so that a wizard could have one wand for one thing and another wand for others? Sorry if this question has already been brought up.

EDIT: I guess this is a lot like godrics hollow's question. I just didn't quite understand it the first time I read it.

[Chandra]

People seem to think that there can only ever be one perfect wand (one soulmate) I disagree. Using the example of marriage some people are married many times. Say someone had been married four times in the course of their life. At some point they would have felt that each of their four partners had been their 'perfect match'. If someones parter dies, they often find someone else that they have the same connection with. To say that there is only one wand in the whole world that is suitible for someone is like saying there is only one person in the whole world that is suitible for someone.

It takes awhile to find a wand that is right for a person, but if something happens to that wand another wand that is just as good a match can be found eventually.

I think we also have to consider how accurate Mr Ollivander was about his 'the wand chooses the wizard' statement. This could have been deliberate mysticism used as a selling point for his wands to make them seem special.

He said that Harry was a particularly difficult customer, and it didn't exactly take hours to find a wand for him. He probably just waits until a wand shows signs of accepting the wizard and then makes a sale.

Even though Ron was using a second hand wand, he was never particularly inept at magic. Neville on the other hand had a family members wand but was shocking at magic. As his wand broke in the battle, it will be interesting to see if his abilities improve at all once he gets a new wand.

[godrics hollow]

People seem to think that there can only ever be one perfect wand (one soulmate) I disagree. Using the example of marriage some people are married many times. Say someone had been married four times in the course of their life. At some point they would have felt that each of their four partners had been their 'perfect match'. If someones parter dies, they often find someone else that they have the same connection with. To say that there is only one wand in the whole world that is suitible for someone is like saying there is only one person in the whole world that is suitible for someone.

hmmm.... never thought of it that way i just thought of it as their wand is good it served its purpose but if it is not going to be the best for the task at hand (and i mean big things, not ure transfiguration practical) maybe fighting a death eater i wand better at hexes or so but great explanation 10 points! :p

[Paintball]

I know this is a little off the subject, but I've wondered why Fawlkes' feather chose Tom Riddle. I also wonder where Tom Riddle got the money to buy his things for Hogwarts. Did he have a vault full of money that he found out about like Harry when he was 11yrs old.

[godrics hollow]

Yes He Did is my answer i guess his mother died did she not? so if she had money who else but her only son should get it? and for ure question as to y fawkes feather chose riddle

its not only the core that makes a wand sure the core gives it its magical energy but u also have t otake in wand length and wood type maybe so fawkes had no choice as to who his feather went to it was that riddle was destined to weild the magical energy given off? radiating i dunno what u wanna call it w/e the magical energy of that particular feather

[grammer]

Chances are the wands are neutral - neither good or evil. There's also a good chance that Tom Riddle hadn't decided to go bad when he got his wand.

Remember, people don't decide to be evil, they decide, just this once, they'll try doing this bad thing, and then they continue. Like -- did you ever decide to eat one cookie off a plate and leave all the others for your friends? And somehow, without even being aware of it, all the cookies are gone and you're still the only one there? That's what I think turning evil is like. A whole lot of little steps that build up until you convince yourself that what you are doing is OK or justified.

[Dragonmaster]

I thought I've read somewhere on Mugglenet that wands are proportional to your height. Cause I think Ron got a longer wand after he broke his first one since he grew, but what does that mean for Harry? I mean, we assume he's always going to have that wand, at least until the end of the series, right?

[Solomon]

I beleave that each person has one wand that would be perfict for them. However, they can use other ones in the event that they are unable to get the perfict wand.

Why Ron reseaved his brothers old wand can easily be explained. The same way that Rons family were unable to buy a new wand for Ron they where unable to get one for his brother. However as we learned with Pircey's that they get a gift after some great accomplishment it would seem resonable for Ron's older brother to ask for a wand. Therfore, leaving one ownerless wand which was conviniently given to ron.

If you have the ablity to purches the one perfect wand, such as Harry did i imagin, you would not need to purches one in the future. However if you were unable to get the perfict one because of a lack of money, or your wand may not even exist yet, then you may and most likely need to purches a new one later in life.

[aggiefan1206]

I would have to say one, but i guess if they break or they have other malfunctions i am assuming they can get new ones. Mabe if a wand begins to wear out you can get a new one. Your personality does change after all.

I guess if you wanted to be good in a certain area you could have a wand for that specific area.

[steph_HPfan]

I think what J.K. Rowling/Olivander ment was the that it was their wands once and for all. Ummm... does that make sence? *sigh* Oh well.

[PotionsPunk]

I think many. For example: Ron's wand. Well it wasn't really his was it? It was Charlie's old one. Which would indicate that Charlie needed a new one, which would also indicate that he went to Ollivander's.
It wouldn't suprise me at all if Mr. Ollivander keeps ten or even twenty wands of the exact same core, with the same wood. Why would he do this you ask? It's simple: how many wizards are there in Britain? It's innumeral! But it's EXTREMELY possible that 4 different wizards could react the same to the exact same wand.
Say we run into a problem like Ron's where our wand is broken on accidental reasons. Yes the wand wasn't really Ron's, but it if was? Then you'd have to go to Ollivander's for a new one in which, I believe, a wizard has one of two options. 1.) Try a completely different and new wand or 2.) Get a replica of the old one because you're comfortable with the way you react to the core of it. For a wizard to only be destined to one wand, or, to only have availability to one wand to me is silly. It's like a Muggle whose very comfortable with their car, but for reasons they can't control the car doesn't work. They want an exact same model, color, year, so they get another one, simple as that.

[grammer]

I wonder if Olivander has a spell on the unsold wands so that they react when a young would-be wizard trys them out. That would explain all the smoke and fumes at the store, but never after that. Maybe it's a special spell that indicates whether or not this wand will work for this wizard (or witch) - something like the spell on the sorting hat.

[Crookshanks_]

Of course they'll buy a new wand if their own is broken or destroyed, but i don't see why some of you mean that when Ron broke his,instead of getting a new one,he could get an old one from Charlie or another brother.. Remember that Olivanders says in the books that no wizard or wich would recieve the same results with another's wand... Each wizard are supposed to get a wand that suits him , but in Rons case,his parents could not afford one..

[Lucybird]

Well maybe you would get a new wand when you grow, we know people develop there personalities through their teenage years particully maybe once your personality has developed your wand no longer fits? So you can't get your perfect wand until you're older but your first wand is the best one at the time

[Kimmetje]

Like Ron I think most wizards only buy one wand and than get a hold hand down or a second hand wand. Seems like most wizards only have enough money for one wand and I think that there is also only one wand that fits the wizard as the wand also choses the wizard and it could be that two wands choose a wizard, but I think that is a bit unlikely.

[grammer]

It may be more like the way muggles buy cars. Young people without much money may use a hand-me-down until they can afford to buy one of their own. People with lots of money to spend may have two to three with specific uses in mind. Or just to collect rare or valuable older ones

[morgiana]

Wands are made of wood, wood breaks. A witch or wizard could buy any number of wands in a life time. They could still have their first wand and be using it when they die of old age.

You would buy the wand that felt right and this might change over a lifetime.

[nautiestmonk]

Ron had a hand me down wand, so did Neville. The part of the Ollivanders scene that gets me is "It seems like only yesterday your parents were in here buying their FIRST wands."

There is no doubt in my mind that Lily's wand will become very important in the future.

As has been stated, wands are made of wood, they break.

[enchantedgerbil]

I didn't know this thread existed and idiotically started one of my own, but many of the ideas presented here were in my post. I had another idea as well, though. My thought was that, besides their wand breaking or getting worn out, maybe a wizard would get a new wand when they grew out of their old one as their own nature changes. Also, maybe it was custom for a witch or wizard to get a new wand as part of an initiation ceremony when they become over-age?

Any thoughts?