Oil Your Sword

I own several swords, none display pieces, all have seen action. When in use they get marred up and this needs to be looked after. They also become exposed to moisture and are liable to rust. Care for your swords is a must. I have seen few articles on sword maintenance so I figured it would be helpful to go over my kit in case others are in need of ideas.

Oil. I have a small jar of coconut oil for keeping my swords oiled. I prefer coconut oil because it is thick so it stays put. I have heard of some who will mix coconut oil with beeswax for swords. It is also easy to get, is antibacterial as well as antifungal and will not go rancid. I have spoken with others and they all seem to have their preferences. Gun or machine oil is a common one but I prefer the smell of coconut to chemicals and it is a little thin for my liking, it seems to get on everything in the gear bag. Another is Choji oil, used on Japanese swords, it is purpose made for swords and smells nice but is slightly more expensive. I don't use it because I can grab coconut oil from the local supermarket and Choji is harder to acquire. Some use olive oil, which is cheap and relatively available but will go rancid on you. Still others us WD-40 which I do not recommend because it will eventually corrode the steel of your sword, no thank you!

Small Metal File. Sword use causes nicks in the steel which I do not mind aesthetically. Unfortunately it also causes metal burrs on the sword and that is unacceptable. Small sharp areas on your sword must be dealt with immediately. You don't want to slice into an opponent's gambeson or, even worse, their skin. I check my swords for burrs with an ungloved hand and smooth them off with the file. Don't forget to check the guard and pommel too!

Sanding Block. Same as for the file but not as aggressive but can handle larger areas.

Rust Eraser. An abrasive eraser that will take care of a lot of surface rust. It scours the sword surface but I don't mind that in a sword I spar with.

Rubbing Alcohol. I like alcohol for cleaning the steel of a sword because it is cheap, evaporates quickly and doesn't leave any residue. I use 70% Isopropyl.

Microfiber Cloths. Generally I have two of different colors, one for cleaning with alcohol, the other for oiling with coconut oil.

Spare Rubber Tips. I use these on rapiers or any sword that I do a good deal of thrusting with. I also keep a roll of electrical tape to help secure them. 

As I said before that care for your swords is a must. Keep them well maintained and they will last you many years. If you neglect your blades, they will soon begin to neglect you.