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CARE OF SWORDS AND
ARMOURY
Here are a few suggestions that will assist
you in maintaining your swords.
*All the metal components
of the weapon, including the wire wrapped handles, should always be covered
with a light coating of oil, Lanotec or silicone spray in order to prevent
rust. You can also wipe the metal parts with a silicone coated gun/reel
cloth. In many respects, a gun/reel cloth is preferable as there are fewer
tendencies for dust to accumulate and trap oxygen, which may cause pitted
areas in the blade.
*Make sure that the metal components (especially blades) are wiped-down
after handling.
*Wooden handles may be treated with a light coating of oil, Lanotec or
polish, to prevent cracking.
*Brass components may be polished with Brasso or with Autosol.
*Leather scabbards and sheaths, and leather covered handles, should be
treated with a good paste wax.
*Do not store your sword or dagger in the scabbard for long periods of
time, since the leather traps moisture which can produce rust spots on
the blade.
*Do not swing your weapon carelessly. This is a real weapon and it must
be treated with the same respect you would give a loaded firearm. When
you wish to experience how it feels for warriors to wield these weapons
in battle, make sure you are well out of reach of anyone.
*Do not bang your sword against another in a theatrical-style duel. Do
not bang the blade against a hard object to test its strength or the 'sound'
of the steel. No matter how tough and strong the steel is, in any sword,
it will 'nick' when struck against something equally hard. In stage plays
or in the movies, theatrical swords with wide, thick edges are used. The
edges are frequently flat and often as much as 1/16" thick. Your
sword is a 'real' weapon, designed for use in the manner in which the
originals were used. Since cutting edges were often sharpened and were
used for slashing, parries were made with the flat of the blade (not the
edges) or were simply avoided altogether.
Real swords were never made for the theatrical-style of sword banging
that the movies rely on to liven-up the action sequences.
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