Knives, Swords & Blades

If you collect knives and/or swords as a hobby, you will want to know how to care for your special collection. The best possible source for these answers, might be found with someone who does this sort of job for a living, such as a person working in a museum, maybe in the historical artefacts area.

The first thing they suggest to care for your knife and sword collection, is to keep your hands and fingers off of the blade, as much as possible. The oils in your fingers will affect the steel and metal in your knives. When you can, use cloth (preferably cotton), gloves to handle your collection. If the blade does get touched accidentally, wipe it down as quickly as possible with a white cotton cloth.

Another handy bit of advice is to keep your knives and swords away from direct sunlight. The rays from the sun can fade your handles. It also affects any leather and other materials that your knives may be incased in. If you want to display your collection in a display case, move it away from direct sunlight that might be coming thru the windows. Using silica gel or window tinting of a light shade will help protect them from direct light also.

Try to keep your collection in a moderately controlled temperature. You will also want to make sure they are not subject to great deals of humidity and moisture from the air. Try not to store your pieces in the attic, where temps get much hotter then the rooms of your house downstairs. Also avoid the garage, where the temperature fluctuates too much. If you don’t display them in a case, the best probably place for them is inside one of your closets, that children don’t have access to, of course. It’s not a bad idea to store each individual knife or sword in a container like a box.

If you have rust on one of the knives or swords, you can lightly rub a cotton cloth dipped in a bit of kerosene over the spot. Never use an abrasive cloth or substance on your blades, or you may damage them permanently. You should apply an oil made for knife surfaces after you clean the rust spots off.

Don’t try to sharpen the blade of an antique. It will not only reduce the value of the piece, but may ruin it, if it is so old that it can’t hold up to aggressive sharpening methods.

You need to oil your blades at least once a month. Doing this provides protection against rust and general wear and tear. Some of the oils suggested for using on your blades, are camellia and clove oil. There are blade oils that you can buy too, which should work just fine. They also offer a wax you can use, for after you have oiled your blade. It’s called Crystalline wax, and is available at most supply stores.

Any time that you hold your knife or sword, do so by the handle. If you are holding someone else’s, it is impolite to run your fingers up and down the blade, besides being a good way to cut your fingers!

If your sword and knife collection is valuable, or holds special sentiment, you may consider getting it insured. To do this, you will need to take pictures of each individual piece, it’s sheath if it has one, the display case, and any materials you use for the collection.

Most importantly, unless you are experienced in the art of sharpening your blades, never attempt to do it yourself. It’s worth the extra money to have a professional do the job.

A beautiful collection of knives and/or swords must be taken care of properly in order for it to hold its value. Here are some tips to help you take care of, secure, display and enjoy your collection:

Maintaining Your Blades

To keep your blades in perfect shape, you will need to perform maintenance on them several times a year. Unsheathe the blade carefully and use a soft, clean cotton cloth to wipe the blade. Then apply the appropriate polishing powder or other polishing substance carefully along the blade using the cloth, rubbing it in carefully. Remove any excess powder or oil. Then re-sheath the blade.

You should take care to avoid touching the blade of any knife or sword with your fingers. The oil from your fingers can cause damage to many blades.

Proper maintenance and care of your collection is especially important because a collection can be damaged from improper care or not enough care. Once pieces are damaged, not only will the damage be unsightly, but the value of your collection will take a significant hit.

For easiest care of your collection, consider purchasing a blade care kit, which should consist of oil, polishing liquid or powder, special polishing papers or cloths and a care guide.

Displaying Your Collection

There are many display choices available for showing off your prized collectible knives and swords. From display cases that lock to display shelves, stands and chests. There are options for the smallest knives to the largest swords. When choosing displays for your knives and swords, consider safety and protection. Also consider that proper display of your collection will increase the value of your collection by protecting your collection from damage from handling.

Securing Your Collection

Special care should be taken to protect your collection and your family. If you have children or teens in your family, take care to secure your collection by locking it. In this case, a locking glass case may be appropriate for displaying your collection. A glass case allows the collection to be viewable, but the case can be secured by a lock. Regardless of the age of your children, you should be strict on keeping your collection out of their hands.

Smith and Wesson Knives for the Modern Day Outdoor Adventurer

The Smith and Wesson Holding Corporation was founded in 1852. The company is well known for its production of firearms and other law enforcement merchandise. One of the products that has grown in popularity among outdoor enthusiasts is Smith and Wesson knives. In particular, the company’s folding knives are often used for wilderness survival among hunters and hikers alike.

Most Smith and Wesson folding knives include a single, durable blade. Others come with two blades, one that is plain edged and another that is serrated.

When purchasing a folding knife, it is important to note that blades can be made with varying compositions of metal. Typically, you will have to choose between stainless steel and high carbon steel. There are benefits and downsides to both types. For instance, while high carbon steel is harder than stainless steel, it is more difficult to sharpen once it does eventually become dull. Its sharp edge will last longer than blades made with stainless steel, but, if you are a novice sharpener, you may find it more of a chore when it does come time to sharpen a high carbon steel blade.

Depending on what you’ll be using your knife for can make all the difference in what will work best for you. As an example, hunters often prefer high carbon steel blades that maintain their edge longer than stainless steel blades. A sharp knife is essential for skinning larger animals. At the same time, high carbon steel is more prone to rust. There are rust protection products on the market, but many people choose stainless steel simply because it resists rust more than metal composites such as high carbon steel.

For added protection, there are Smith and Wesson knives that are made of black steel. One might opt for a sturdy, high carbon steel blade that has gone through this process of bluing, which creates a protective finish that is resistant to rust.

While folding knives are convenient as they can be stored away in one’s pocket, a four to six-inch bladed, high quality, fixed-blade knife can also prove to be practical. Made with contemporary materials, such knifes do not have to be unreasonably heavy and will fit neatly into a sheath. Smith and Wesson manufactures a number of these tactical knives. Look for one with a full length tang that extends well into the handle for added strength.

Now that you have taken the time to read this post, take the time and read my many other posts, am sure you will find what you need.