| If you collect knives and/or swords as a hobby, | | | | a container like a box. |
| you will want to know how to care for your | | | | If you have rust on one of the knives or swords, |
| special collection. The best possible source for | | | | you can lightly rub a cotton cloth dipped in a bit of |
| these answers, might be found with someone | | | | kerosene over the spot. Never use an abrasive |
| who does this sort of job for a living, such as a | | | | cloth or substance on your blades, or you may |
| person working in a museum, maybe in the | | | | damage them permanently. You should apply an |
| historical artifacts area. | | | | oil made for knife surfaces after you clean the |
| The first thing they suggest to care for your | | | | rust spots off. |
| knife and sword collection, is to keep your hands | | | | Don't try to sharpen the blade of an antique. It will |
| and fingers off of the blade, as much as possible. | | | | not only reduce the value of the piece, but may |
| The oils in your fingers will affect the steel and | | | | ruin it, if it is so old that it can't hold up to |
| metal in your knives. When you can, use cloth | | | | aggressive sharpening methods. |
| (preferably cotton), gloves to handle your | | | | You need to oil your blades at least once a |
| collection. If the blade does get touched | | | | month. Doing this provides protection against rust |
| accidentally, wipe it down as quickly as possible | | | | and general wear and tear. Some of the oils |
| with a white cotton cloth. | | | | suggested for using on your blades, are camellia |
| Another handy bit of advise, is to keep your | | | | and clove oil. There are blade oils that you can |
| knives and swords away from direct sunlight. The | | | | buy too, which should work just fine. They also |
| rays from the sun can fade your handles. It also | | | | offer a wax you can use, for after you have |
| affects any leather and other materials that your | | | | oiled your blade. It's called Crystalline wax, and is |
| knives may be incased in. If you want to display | | | | available at most supply stores. |
| your collection in a display case, move it away | | | | Any time that you hold your knife or sword, do |
| from direct sunlight that might be coming thru the | | | | so by the handle. If you are holding someone |
| windows. Using silica gel or window tinting of a light | | | | else's, it is impolite to run your fingers up and |
| shade, will help protect them from direct light also. | | | | down the blade, besides being a good way to cut |
| Try to keep your collection in a moderately | | | | your fingers! |
| controlled temperature. You will also want to | | | | If your sword and knife collection is valuable, or |
| make sure they are not subject to great deals of | | | | holds special sentiment, you may consider getting |
| humidity and moisture from the air. Try not to | | | | it insured. To do this, you will need to take |
| store your piece's in the attic, where temps get | | | | pictures of each individual piece, it's sheath if it has |
| much hotter then the rooms of your house | | | | one, the display case, and any materials you use |
| downstairs. Also avoid the garage, where the | | | | for the collection. |
| temperature fluctuates too much. If you don't | | | | Most importantly, unless you are experienced in |
| display them in a case, the best probably place | | | | the art of sharpening your blades, never attempt |
| for them is inside one of your closets, that | | | | to do it yourself. It's worth the extra money to |
| children don't have access to, of course. It's not a | | | | have a professional do the job. |
| bad idea to store each individual knife or sword in | | | | |