care and feeding a sword?

[Jaron Bernstein]

A question for the (virtual) floor.

Soon, my Albion sharp will arrive (drools <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

What do I do after using it for test cutting to keep it clean and rust free? After flourishing with it, also how do I keep it shiny and sharp?

[GaryGrzybek]

If your test cutting messy targets make sure to keep the blade dry by wiping it with a soft cloth. The worst thing is to let the sword sit around too long before cleaning since rust and corrosion will set in quickly. You can use a soft cloth and some Metal Glow or Flitz for polishing. If there's rust then a grey scotch brite pad and some mineral oil will work too. To oil the blade, I use CLP Breakfree which is a cleaner/lubricant. I find it's works really well and won't evaporate like WD-40. Inspect the sword every week if you handle or use it frequently which most of us do. I haven't had to resharpen any of my swords yet but there are some folks who could help you with that. As far as scratches are concerned, you will get some but for a working blade I never really worried about it. The satin finish will hide most of the small ones anyway.

[Jaron Bernstein]

Thanks for the info. Do I keep a (presumably light) coating of break free on it when it is not is use?

[Brian Hunt]

yes,

or a light machine oil, which is what I use.

Brian Hunt.

GFS

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Hello Jaron, I have had my Baron for awhile, you will not be dissapointed! I am having a nice case made for it and until then I have been keeping it set on the foam blocks it was shipped with, I also use CLP-that is what the folks at Albion recommended when I picked it up at the shop, I redo the oil once every two days, and also flip it over as well. This is probably overkill, but it is really just an excuse to handle it more! Ha- man, I cannot wait to get the custom scabbard- See you Aaron

[Shane Smith]

I use a gun-preservative called Mil-Tec.It really seems to hold onto the steel a bit better than many other products although I freely admit that that is subjective.

[JeanryChandler]

I also have been told, in case this isn't obvious, that you apparently should not keep the sword in it's scabbard, as this will tend to cause it to rust.

JR

[Jaron Bernstein]

Actually, I didn't know that.

Keeping it in the scabbard will cause rust?

Do you just keep it propped up on a stand when not in use? In a box?

thanks for all the advice here guys.

[GaryGrzybek]

What happens is that moisture gets trapped within the scabbard which can cause corrosion. All my swords are kept hanging on a wall in my spare bedroom. (we started calling it the armoury.) You can buy sword hangers from MRL which work very well. Just remember to keep them up high or out of the way if you have small children. Anyway, swords also make great decorative and conversation pieces when not in use

[Jaron Bernstein]

where can I get mil tek, brake free or mineral oil?

[GaryGrzybek]

I get my Break Free at Wall Mart in the sporting goods section

[Shane Smith]

Mil-Tec can be had from many gun shops. Break-Free CLP can be gotten most anywhere and it works well in my experience.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Here is an interesting story, I was at my Wife's Grandfather's house, who was in the Navy in WW2. We were talking about swords one day, when he says to me, "hey, did I ever show you the Japanesse bayonet that I have"-I said no-he procedes to pull a Navy NCO Katana out of his closet.

I was of course really excited and had all manner of questions for him, but the focous of the story is that he always kept it hanging in his closet,(with all original leather belt etc.) in the scabbard. I had not pulled out the blade yet, thinking that it would be a rusted mess.

I pull out the blade and find that he had coated it in regular run of the mill Vasoline! There was not a single spot of rust anywhere on the blade, and He tells me that the Vasoline is esentially the same stuff he had put on when he hung it in his closet in the 50's.

I have heard that keeping it in the scabbard will rust and I was just wondering in anyone out there has any opinions on using vasoline?- Thanks Aaron

ps- I did some reasearch on the sword and found that it was a manufactured Navy NCO sword with Brass hilt. not very important from a historical blade point of view, but I am telling you that steel had not a single blemish on it-

[Casper Bradak]

Petroleum based, maybe not much different than grease?

[David Kite]

Never heard of using Vaseline. Interesting idea. I have heard of hunters coating their knives with animal fat. Anybody have any idea how that would work?

David Kite
ARMA in IN