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.