Many replica blade swords are battle ready, which means they are made from appropriate, high-carbon steel alloys that are suitable for live use.
The unfortunate aspect of this is that many steels that can be used to make battle-ready, replica blade swords are not corrosion resistant.
In other words, they will rust if you don’t care for them properly. Here are some high level notes on how to prevent just that.
Keep It Dry
Probably the single most important thing you can do to prevent your new sword from rusting is to keep it dry.
For most of us, this doesn’t really entail anything special. Just store it somewhere dry and you’re good.
It’s for the others of us, who use our swords, that this is important.
We get it, owning a sword is a lot of fun, especially if it’s battle ready. You’ll probably want to use it.
The thing is, most materials used for live cutting practice, like fruits, vegetables, and water-filled bottles, are wet, and worse, acidic.
Always, always thoroughly dry your replica blade sword after use. Never put it away wet, and for prolonged periods of time, store it out of the scabbard.
Store It Appropriately
Two important notes here: one is that you should store the store somewhere cool and dry, in an area where the relative humidity is below 50% most if not all of the time.
The other note is that if you’re storing it for a prolonged period of time, keep it out of the scabbard. This shouldn’t be a problem for anyone displaying the sword, but regardless, the scabbard can trap moisture which is not beneficial.
Oil the Blade
Even if you never use your replica blade sword, you must oil the blade periodically. Apply a light coat to the blade and make sure it is even distributed, all the way to the edge. This is your first line of defense against rust.
Now, the thing about oil is that all oils evaporate, albeit slowly. Therefore, you need to reapply it periodically.
Greases are one alternative since they don’t evaporate, but they tend to be opaque and unsightly, so for others, especially those that display their swords, microcrystalline wax, just like what you’d use to preserve a gun, can insulate the blade’s steel against rust and corrosion.
When buffed, microcrystalline wax can actually improve the finish of a replica blade sword, which is something else to note.
Force a Patina
One other way you can insulate a replica blade sword with a non-stainless blade against rust is to force a patina.
However, (and this is critical) once you patina a blade, the effect is permanent and cannot be reversed. A patina will also leave a dark, mottled appearance on the blade that will ruin a mirror finish.
All the same, some like the look of a patina and it can help protect the blade from rust.
It’s also easy enough to do. Get a cup of white vinegar, heat it up till it’s warm to the touch, and then use a rag or towel to apply it to the blade. You should see the blade darken almost immediately.
Let it sit on the blade, then after about a minute, wipe off the vinegar, then thoroughly rinse the blade with water to make sure no vinegar remains on the surface.
This thin layer of patina will help protect the blade against rust, but you should still dry it and oil it before storing.
Where to Get Your Next Replica Blade Sword
Here for a new replica blade sword? Get it over at True Swords. They carry a wide range of battle ready swords in their collection and the notes featured here will help protect any non-stainless blade steel against rust.
