Wearing a dirk

[Geoff Withnell]

This is excellent advice-- any light weight oil (3-in-1 Oil, Hoppe's Gun Oil, etc.) will keep the rust at bay. For storage purposes wrapping the blade in brown paper works as well as cloth. If swords/dirks are on display (or are frequently handled) waxing the blade will offer more protection than oil.

Ah, some brown paper contains a considerable acid content, and may damage the steel. This is also why it is best not to store any knives or swords in leather sheaths, as leather also usually has an acid component.

Geoff Withnell