Advice needed from sword collectors

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

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.

This is something I'm not aware of (Wilkinson sword was still very much in the 19th century-- probably why they've gone out of business) but will pick one up at WalMart and give it a try. Thanks for the tip!

[Arlen]

It's been mentioned before, but I second 0000 steel wool to buff it, then I wife it clean with a damp cloth, then dry it then oil it. (I favour almond oil or coconut oil.)

As for sticking it in the ground, that's something that always makes me shudder.
In all the historical re-enactment groups I have worked with we were band from doing that because the swords had to stay away from anything that might corrode the blade and make it dangerous.

If you must do that, heavily wax the blade with the sort of stuff you would use to wax a car.
Once you've done that go ahead and make the hole for the sword with something else. Get a really long bit of metal just for the purpose. Dig it in deep, pull it out and gently ease the blade into the hole that's left. That way you will lessen any chance of it being scratched by little stones in the soil.


Good luck with it all.

[escherblacksmith]

I currently use a scotchbrite pad and some mineral or gun oil to clean.

Takes a bit of work, but should work fine. I wouldn't go with higher grit stuff until you have a firmer idea on how much you need to do and how you feel in doing it.

[Glen C]

I have a very highly engraved Union Civil War sword. Over the years it has dulled considerably. I'm a little shy about touching the blade, as the engraved camp scenes on the blade are so intricate. The entire sword need work, a new sharkskin grip, and the leather scabbard is breaking down. Should I try working on the blade or just try finding a good restorer?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have a very highly engraved Union Civil War sword. Over the years it has dulled considerably. I'm a little shy about touching the blade, as the engraved camp scenes on the blade are so intricate. The entire sword need work, a new sharkskin grip, and the leather scabbard is breaking down. Should I try working on the blade or just try finding a good restorer?

I would suggest that you send the sword to Crisp & Sons (Sussex Swords) for restoration. Ray Crisp, and his entire team, are all former Wilkinson Sword employees, and are simply the best on the planet when it comes to restoring a sword. That said, sword restoration is not cheap, and may well surpass the collectible value of your sword. If the sword is a family heirloom, you might want to consider having it preserved, rather than restored. If you go for preservation (on swords this is actually a deep cleaning process) you will retain the sword in much the same condition as when it was carried by your ancestor, rather than returning it to a near "unissued" state. (The blade, by the way, is etched rather than engraved on most 19th and 20th century military and civilian swords.)

[macwilkin]

I would suggest that you send the sword to Crisp & Sons (Sussex Swords) for restoration. Ray Crisp, and his entire team, are all former Wilkinson Sword employees, and are simply the best on the planet when it comes to restoring a sword. That said, sword restoration is not cheap, and may well surpass the collectible value of your sword. If the sword is a family heirloom, you might want to consider having it preserved, rather than restored. If you go for preservation (on swords this is actually a deep cleaning process) you will retain the sword in much the same condition as when it was carried by your ancestor, rather than returning it to a near "unissued" state. (The blade, by the way, is etched rather than engraved on most 19th and 20th century military and civilian swords.)

I would second Rathdown's suggestion here of preservation, rather than restoration. I can't tell you how many period artifacts that came through the front door of our battlefield's visitor center that were ruined by "restoration".

Regards,

Todd