Whether you have got one prized axe on the wall or a whole longhouse of weapons, looking after your collection does not have to be complicated. A handful of good habits, and the right products, will keep every blade, hilt and haft looking as good as the day it arrived. Here is our rundown of blade care basics.
Clean after handling
Every time a blade is handled, picked up for a photo, or taken down to show a mate down the pub, it picks up oils and moisture from your skin. Left on the metal, this is one of the biggest causes of tarnishing and rust over time. A quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth after handling takes seconds and makes a real difference.
Keep moisture off
Damp is the enemy of every blade in your collection, whether it is on display or being used. If a piece gets wet, dry it fully and immediately, and never store anything away, sheathed or otherwise, until you are certain it is bone dry.
Oil regularly
A light coat of oil is the foundation of good blade care. It protects against moisture, helps prevent corrosion, and keeps the metal looking its best. Our Weapon Oil is a pure mineral oil that works on any blade or metal fitting, from display weapons through to antiques.
Protect with wax
For anything that spends most of its time on display rather than in your hand, a coat of Weapon Wax over the top of the oil adds a much longer-lasting barrier against moisture, along with a beautiful soft sheen. It works on blades, metal fittings, wood and leather alike.
Our Weapon Care Bundle
To make this as easy as possible, we put together our Weapon Care Bundle, which pairs 150ml of Weapon Oil with 100ml of Weapon Wax, everything you need to clean, protect and restore your whole armoury in one go.
To use them together, apply the Weapon Oil with a soft cloth, wipe off any excess and let it dry, then apply the Weapon Wax sparingly with a soft cloth and polish gently to a smooth, even finish. It is genuinely what we use every day in the Raven Forge workshop, and it is the one-stop-shop we recommend to every customer who asks us how to look after their collection.
Store it right
Where you keep your collection matters just as much as how you clean it. Avoid damp garages, sheds and lofts, and try to give leather sheaths and scabbards a chance to breathe rather than leaving a blade sealed inside one long term. A dry room with a stable temperature is by far the safest home for anything you want to keep for years to come.
Get the full Weapon Care Bundle and give your collection the care it deserves.
