Advice needed from sword collectors

[MacMoose]

Hi all

I have a replica Claymore (and I know there is a debate about the name, so lets just say it is a 54 inch, two-handed sword). Now, keeping in mind it is a very cheap, Pakistani made replica.

It has, to my dismay, some water stains, both on the blade, and on the pommel. What would you suggest to clean this? Do I need to oil the blade? I want to be able to use the sword as an exhibit at my Clan tent at Highland Games, so it invariably pick up dirt and fingerprints.

Also, any advice on protecting the tip of the sword? I want to be able to have it jammed into the ground (a la Braveheart...I know, boo, hiss...but the kids love it). It has already received some damage from this. I need to hammer down the bent metal, I guess (any tips on this?).

Any thoughts?

[MonsterDon]

Depending on the type of metal used to make the sword one option would be to use some metal cleaner. You can usually find this at your local super market. This is usually the stuff used for stainless steel appliances. It should remove the spots and fingerprints. If you are going for a mirror finish then you might need to get some chrome polish and buff the sword with that also.

As for protecting the tip, you could always use some painters tape on the end before you jam it into the ground. Painters tape won't leave any residue and will keep the metal from being scratched.

[Finn]

Using a polishing compund will help. Oiling it should clean it up; but, if the blade is that cheap, those water stains are an early indicator of corrosion and future problems.
Painter's tape should protect the blade, and easy filing and/or hammering will reduce the nicks & gouges.
A leather point guard will protect it when not jabbed into the ground.

[Joe Gondek]

I like oil and 0000 steel wool
also a scotch-brite pad works well

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

As pointed out elsewhere, the quality of the blade probably ain't great. Here are your options:

1) disassemble the sword and send the blade out to be hard chrome plated. Hard chrome plating is necessary to prevent it flaking off due to the flexing of the blade. (When I was with Wilkinson Sword virtually all of our civilian swords and most of our non-UK contract military swords were supplied with HC blade finishes, and we never had a complaint.)

OR

2) send the blade out for professional polishing, then when you get it back wax it with a good silicone based car wax. You'd be amazed at how this will prevent "finger stains".

THEN

3) after jabbing "Mother Earth" wipe down the blade with a mild liquid dish washing detergent and re-wax it.

AND FINALLY

4) make a slit of the appropriate length in a tennis ball and use that to protect the tip of the blade when transporting your sword.

INSIDER'S TIP

Hauling more than one sword? One of those small canvas golf bags is the best thing in the world for moving multiple swords. I got this tip from Ewart Oakshott, who used to toss a half dozen or so swords into one of these and then travel across London on the underground with them!

[duchessofnc]

Would that work for instance for my sword as well? I have a sword from Spain. The extent of damange to my sword is discoloration on the blade. NOt really nicks and such as the discoloration.

The sword is definitely not Pakistani.

I got it at a smithy in Toledo Spain itself and they assured us that all the swords that came from there was made there. Because I couldn't afford what I really wanted, I bought what I could afford. They said that it was "unfinished". I remember that part quite clearly. But I need to be careful with the upper part of the blade. It does have an engraving of El Cid on the upper portion.

[MonsterDon]

I love that golf bag idea.

[MacMoose]

Thanks for all the tips, folks!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Would that work for instance for my sword as well? I have a sword from Spain that gets quite a bit of use because apparently it is determined to be my main ritual tool for my circle casting. The extent of damange to my sword is discoloration on the blade. NOt really nicks and such as the discoloration.

The sword is definitely not Pakistani.

I got it at a smithy in Toledo Spain itself and they assured us that all the swords that came from there was made there. Because I couldn't afford what I really wanted, I bought what I could afford. They said that it was "unfinished". I remember that part quite clearly. But I need to be careful with the upper part of the blade. It does have an engraving of El Cid on the upper portion.

I can see no reason why the blade on your Spanish-made sword shouldn't take a decent polish. Any good plating shop can probably bring the metal up to a very high shine-- possibly even "mirror bright".

If you do take it in, be sure and ask them not of buff out the "El Cid" etching-- which may not be very deep on an "unfinished" blade. Once polished either HC plate the blade, or keep it waxed to prevent rusting.

And don't forget the tennis ball!

[Warlock]

You can also get a "gun and reel" silicone cloth from Walmart. I have used those for years at shows where I was selling my knives and swords. Works great on cheapo swords and really exspensive damascus steel swords, as well.