There are many woes and tales that revolve around the conditions of
swords. We come across people requiring light polish or re-plating of their
swords, and then there are some that are mistreated way too much.
Swords are easily damaged if proper care is not given to them. There are certain rules one should follow to maintain the quality of a sword.
Cheap swords may be less in pricing, but caring for them is just as necessary. But, sadly, many people forget to observe these rules.
Sword for ceremonial purposes or for parades can be restored, blades can be polished and re-embossed, even the grips of the
military swords can be recovered. However, there are many weapons that are meant to be kept as antiques, because of their history, and they should undergo less refurbishment to retain the original finish.
It does not matter whether a sword is new or old, the problem comes in the preservation and prevention of deterioration. Alas! People can be uncaring sometimes. Here, most of the things that will be discussed are just common sense, but some of these may surprise you.
Blades
There are many
military swords that come with unplated polished steel. This steel is likely high-carbon and heat treated, which will ultimately rust and stain if not taken care of properly. Particularly, fingerprints are the most harmful element, which if not polished off with a soft, dry cloth, will leave a mark on the sword. To touch the blade, it is better to use the back of the hand or use gloves.
New swords come with a coating of petroleum-based jelly, which is a temporary protection. Therefore, a sword’s blade must be cleaned and waxed on a regular basis.
Swords in Scabbards (Storage Bags)
Often, we find
sword stored in
scabbards. This is only alright if the blade is properly waxed and the scabbard is dry. Additionally, the sword and the
scabbard need to placed in a dry, cool and dust-free environment. On other occasions, we find swords to be accompanied by bags, which are either plastic or leather. In case of bags, it is best that the sword is kept separate from it because these bags can collect moisture and this can ruin the blade of a sword.
The only way a rusted or stained blade is restored is by removing the metal. Light marks are easily removed with the help of a piece of card soaked in metal polish. But rusting and pitting requires mechanical polishing, and this type of polishing is harmful to the embossing.
Hilts
There are various kinds of hilts. They can be of iron, steel, brass and even gold or nickel based. The grips come in wood, leather, fish skin or wire bound. Plates are usually of ivory. To get good results on these, natural was polish is the best option. Abrasive liquid metal polish will deter the condition of these materials, especially of gold plating.
Further Maintenance
The most important factor: do not store the
sword and completely forget about it. You must take it out every few weeks and examine it. Re-wax it if required. There is no telling what might happen to it; hence, take some pleasure in looking at it.
