Frequently Asked Questions

Caring for a sword depends on its material and whether it's for display, training, or functional use. Here are the basics:

1. Cleaning and Maintenance

• Wipe after handling: Natural oils from your hands can cause rust. Use a clean, dry cloth or microfiber towel.
• Regular oiling: Apply a thin layer of mineral oil, gun oil, or sword oil to prevent rust (especially for carbon steel blades). Stainless steel needs less care but still benefits from occasional oiling.
• Polishing: If the blade gets tarnished, use a fine metal polish sparingly. Avoid abrasive materials.

2. Storage

• Keep it dry: Store in a low-humidity environment. Use silica gel packets in the storage area to absorb moisture.
• Avoid long-term storage in leather or fabric sheaths: These can trap moisture and cause rust.
• Use a sword stand or rack: This prevents unnecessary contact with surfaces that may scratch or corrode the blade.

3. Handeling and Use

• Avoid striking hard objects (unless it’s a specialized cutting sword).
• For training swords, inspect for damage after each use.
• If using a katana, periodically check the mekugi (peg) to ensure the blade is secure.

4. Products

• Renaissance wax can provide extra protection.

BKS doesn't employ a leather smith, however our friends at Legacy Forge make scabbards for many of our blades.  

Due to the exciting and ever changing nature of forge, fire, and metal work, we are not able to allow visitors to our workshop.  Please visit us at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and shake our hands at conventions listed in our "upcoming presentations" section.

On a rare occasion, we are able to entertain custom work, however the wait for a custom sword can be a year or more.  For our most up to date work, please visit one of our listed vendor partners on the View our Work page.

Our swords are handmade by our metal artisans in our workshop in Marriottsville, MD.  From start to finish, one sword can take anywhere from a day to 2 or more weeks to complete.

Due to copyright issues, we are unable to replicate swords or props from movies.