High Carbon Steel Blades

Carbon steel is the most authentic sword material. It was used during the medieval and renaissance periods and is still used today. The biggest problem with carbon steel is that it rusts, thus maintenance of a carbon steel blade is important. Carbon Steel Blades should be kept out of their sheath if not used for any length of time. Keep the blade clean by wiping with a soft cloth. Oil the blade with a good quality oil and wipe off any excess leaving it with a a thin protective film. Carbon Steel can get rusty if not properly cared for. If the blade becomes rusty, buff the rust off with a fine steel wool and then repeat the process of oiling the blade. All metal parts of your sword, including the wire wrapped handles, should always be covered with a light coating of oil to prevent rust. Wooden handles may be treated with a light coating of lemon oil or tung oil to help prevent cracking.

Stainless Steel Blades

Carbon Steel with the addition of nickel and chromium result in the wide range of stainless steels, which are hard and chemically durable alloys. These alloys corrode to form protective coatings of chromium oxide/nickel oxide, and transform iron into a much less reactive metal. Stainless Steel is one of the most common metals used in high quality cutlery today. It has the desired flexibility and hardness required to handle tough treatment and keep an edge. Most "wall hanger" swords are made of Stainless Steel. If there is bronze on the handle, you should put a light coat of oil or grease on it to protect it from deep tarnishing. However, the blade will not easily rust. Stainless steel can rust if it is in direct contact with water. But it is easily polished away and restored to its original shine. Stainless Steel blades can most times be cleaned with some window cleaner and a towel, however preventive maintenance should be used as described for the carbon steel swords. You may also choose to use a good metal polish periodically.

Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Products

WD40 - Stay away from any all-purpose lubricants! WD40 may be great for many purposes, but not for real authentic swords. It contains kerosene and fish oil, which evaporates quickly and leaves your sword unprotected to rust!

Windex - This is good for stainless steel to get those fingerprints off. Some people's skin oils are more acidic than others, and in the long run, can even stain a stainless steel blade. Keep your fingers off the blade!

Sword Cleaning Kit - A kit containing traditional Samurai sword cleaning formula and instruments. This kit includes Japanese choji clove oil for blade, rice papers, oiling cloth, a powder ball for blade polishing and a brass awl and hammer.

Hanwei Sword Oil - Specially formulated to provide corrosion protection for
high-carbon steel blades and other edged weapons. Ideal for covering exposed metal guards and wire-wrapped grips, and various scabbard components.

Renaissance Wax - If you would like to protect the swords and other edged weapons in your collection from moisture and finger marks, then try this micro-crystalline wax polish. It's a blend of refined waxes used by the British Museum and international restoration specialists to revive and protect valuable metals, furniture, leather, paintings and more. It freshens surfaces and dries hard instantly. Use sparingly- a little goes a long way. Use your finger, a soft cloth or a soft paper towel and rub on the Renaissance Wax until a very small amount is on the cloth or towel. Rub the wax on in a circular motion, covering until the rubbing motion begins to feel as if it is dragging. Use a fresh cloth or towel and rub lightly and vigorously until the area feels slick and silky and allows the cloth or towel to slide freely over the surface.

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