| Blades, whether they're Stainless or High | | | | important for our skin, is acid for your |
| Carbon Steel, have two main enemies. Moisture | | | | blade. I can not stress this enough...Do not |
| and human oils, and need to be protected from | | | | touch the blade with your skin! Hands, |
| both. | | | | fingers, toes, mouth, butt, and/or any other |
| | | | part of your body! It will etch the blade! I |
| Moisture; This is the culprit that will rust | | | | know...we all want to touch the blade...that |
| your sword. More susceptible is your carbon | | | | hidden worrier in us all wants that |
| swords, but contrary to common belief, your | | | | connection...but fight him! |
| stainless swords are not immune. | | | | |
| | | | Carbon Swords; That thin layer of oil you |
| Swords should never be stored for long | | | | have on the sword will help protect it from |
| periods of time in their sheath. Moisture can | | | | the human oils, but it is not a force field. |
| build up and be trapped in a sheath, | | | | If you touch the blade...OK...when you touch |
| especially if stored in a damp place. If a | | | | the blade...and after your friends touch the |
| sword must be stored in a sheath for a | | | | blade. Wipe the blade down thoroughly and |
| prolonged period of time it must be oiled. | | | | then clean it and re-oil it. Don't wait to |
| Don't be stingy with that oil either, load it | | | | long to do it either...no room for |
| up or you just might have an unpleasant | | | | procrastinating here...Carbon sword etch |
| surprise the next time you draw that sword. | | | | quickly! |
| Remember, it wipes off. We suggest gun oil | | | | |
| for this purpose, which can be purchased in | | | | Stainless Steel Swords; Yes, these are |
| many sporting goods stores, hunting supply | | | | susceptible too. Although it will take a much |
| stores, and of corse, gun shops. If possible | | | | longer time for the human oils to etch the |
| it should be stored in a cool dry place as | | | | blade, they still will. Again After everyone |
| well. Even with these precautions, check on | | | | has gotten touching the blade out of there |
| your sword regularly. | | | | system, wipe it down and clean it. |
| | | | |
| When displaying your sword, keep a light coat | | | | What is etching? Picture your finger print |
| of oil on your carbon swords to protect them | | | | permanently engraved on the blade. Because |
| and do not display in a damp area. Stainless | | | | that is what will happen. |
| swords are much lower maintenance and only | | | | |
| require that you clean them periodically, and | | | | Cleaning; Any metal or brass cleaner that you |
| that you wipe them off with a soft cloth now | | | | can purchase in a hardware store will do |
| and then. | | | | fine. Simply follow the directions for the |
| | | | product that you purchase. |
| Human Oils; This nasty stuff that is Oh so | | | | |