Maintenance of swords and scabbards - Advice needed

[Titus Martius]

Hi all!
My first weapons arrived today from Armae - Mainz type gladius and pugio.

I would like to ask reenactment members for advice: How to properly maintain gladius, pugio and scabbards (steel and brass) :?:

[Peroni]

I use gun oil on my blades. However, my blades aren't the highly polished Deepeeka ones. To remove any rust or fingerprints left on by grubby-handed kids at shows, a wire wool wad generally works, then re-oil.

For the brass, I use wadding called (ironically) 'Brasso' it's a trade name over here, but works really well, and polishes off with a soft cloth.

The wadding types (Brasso, Duraglit) are the least abrasive.

Regards,

[Titus Martius]

Many thanks for your advices, Adrian!

[Celer]

Salve

I personally use saddler's wax as it not only protects the blade but also prevents the inside of the scabbard from rotting over time.

Vale

Celer.

[Robert M.]

here's a thread on myarmoury that's along the same lines
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=6550

[arklore70]

Another method that was passed on to me..and it is not very authentic, but it does work....is turtle wax or a good high quality car wax/polish. It sinks into the metal better, and is less messy.

It also stays on better.

No period, but definitely a way to protect your investment.

V/r
Mike

[Helstafir]

Hello,

easiest way is to give it a "strong" polish and a drop of oil afterwards.And it depends on the steel used in the blades what amount of protection is needed.

Karl