How Not to Damage Your Ichigo Cosplay Sword
How Not to Damage Your Ichigo Cosplay Sword
In most cases, when we talk about anime cosplay swords, what we’ll be talking about is the history of the sword from the anime, or how to find a replica that faithfully captures the details from the series. We might also cover what to look for in a battle ready sword that can be used for live cutting practice, not just for cosplay or display.
But in this case we’re going to take a slightly different direction. We’re going to look at how you should care for your anime cosplay swords so that they maintain their value and look just as beautiful years from now as the first time you drew them and bore the steel.
So, with no further ado, here are some high level notes for proper care and maintenance of anime cosplay swords.
- Protect the sword against high humidity.
High humidity wherever you have your anime cosplay swords displayed is going to be the number one cause of rust or corrosion on the blade. You should store or display your anime cosplay swords somewhere cool and dry where they will be shielded against high humidity as well as against temperature swings. You should choose a location that preferably experiences a relative humidity of less than 50% most of the time.
- Periodically oil the blade.
Regardless of the conditions where you store or display the sword, protecting the blade with a light coating of appropriate oil is critical to preventing rust. This is more important on anime cosplay swords that are made without stainless blades, but to some degree or other it is critical on all swords. A practical alternative to oil is microcrystalline wax which unlike oil will not evaporate, making it more suitable for long-term care.
- Avoid throwing the sword.
Even if your anime cosplay swords are battle-ready, which means that they can be used for live cutting practice, you should never under any circumstances throw the sword. A battle ready sword is not designed to be thrown. Not only is this dangerous, it is likely to incur significant damage not just to the edge but to the construction of the sword itself.
- Avoid striking hard or inappropriate targets.
If you have a battle-ready anime cosplay sword, that means you can use it for live cutting practice. But even so you should only cut appropriate targets and you should be quite judicious about handling the sword. Never strike hard objects like wood, stone, brick or masonry with it or you will damage the sword.
- Be conscientious about the targets you choose
While soft targets like fruits and vegetables can make appropriate targets for live cutting practice, these often have acids in their juices which can cause a patina on a sword, or damage the finish. Acids can also cause staining and discoloration of steel, so make sure that if you do choose targets like these you are careful to dry the blade off before storing.
- Never sheath the sword if the blade is wet or dirty.
Whether or not you use your anime cosplay swords for live cutting practice, never sheath the sword if the blade is wet or dirty. This will trap moisture within the scabbard and against the blade which can cause etching, staining, corrosion or worse.
- Store it outside the scabbard.
Whether you display your anime cosplay sword or not, wherever you have it for the long haul, keep it outside of its scabbard. Not only does this make the most of the aesthetic beauty of the sword, but it also helps prevent the sword from rusting because it lets the steel breathe.
- Clean the sword every 6 months whether you have used it or not.
Whether or not you use the sword routinely, it’s best practice to clean the sword every six months. Use compressed air or a microfiber rag to clean dust off the surfaces of the sword, including the hilt and blade, and then wipe down the blade before applying a little bit of oil to each side as described above.
- For light rust removal.
If you ever have a situation in which there is a little bit of rust on the blade of your anime cosplay sword, the best way to remove it is with a little bit of high grit steel wool or very high grit sandpaper, like above 2000 grit. This will help remove the rust spots without damaging the finish of the steel.
Shop Anime Cosplay Swords at True Swords
Hopefully you found this high level guide for how to care for anime cosplay swords helpful. If you’re here because you want to expand your collection, take a closer look through our full collection of anime cosplay swords and get in touch with us directly if you have any questions before buying.
