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Post by Mune on Oct 30, 2009 5:23:55 GMT
Hey everyone, first post. Please excuse me if I should have placed the following question in a different section of the forum, as I wasn't sure where to ask (and figured 'general discussion' was a good bet). Anyway, here goes:
I will soon be purchasing a wooden practice sword (one-handed) for, well, practicing. I will eventually be purchasing two and using them for sparring with myself and my brother in law (or whoever).
I picked the sword I want to purchase, but noticed that it comes 'unfinished' (no stain, lacquer, etc.) I was wondering if there is a reason NOT to stain or lacquer a wooden practice sword. I would think it would make it more durable (to stain it), but I imagine I may be missing something in the equation.
So, to those of you out there with wooden practice swords for sparring, do you stain, lacquer or finish yours in any sort of way? Do you do apply anything to your wooden swords at all? Let me know why you do or don't.
Thanks in advance for your input.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2009 9:13:31 GMT
First use fine sandpaper to get the smoothness you require. The use a wood stain of your colour preference or leave natural if you wish. I say it is best not to use lacquer but use oil instead. Then you can oil as often as needed which will keep the wood in good condition with supple fibres which are less likely to splinter and break, especially if you are sparring or for any contact situations. Well, which oils? Many are good , the list is huge. Tung, boiled linseed, lemon,teak oil etc. But I prefer Camellia oil myself. Any good wood preserving oil will do. Keep coating as each application soaks in until you reach saturation and then polish with cloth and let dry. Some like to fully immerse the sword in the oil for a few days, whatever you like.
When I get a new bokken I always sand off the lacquer and then apply oil. Hope this helps, Raven
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Post by Mune on Oct 30, 2009 14:37:39 GMT
Thanks Raven!
I had read about oiling wooden swords as well, I just wasn't sure if that would be the best treatment for it alone or in conjunction with staining. I figured staining would either strengthen it or make it more breakable, wasn't sure which. As for the oils you list, what type of store could I find those in? I'm in the northeast USA. Would a hardware store have that kind of stuff?
I will indeed eventually be sparring with the weapon, so anything that makes it less breakable is a big plus. Also, I'm not sure if this would make a difference, but I'll mention that it's a western medieval style of sword (an Arming Sword type).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2009 15:30:07 GMT
Welcome to the madness! Home Depot/Lowes or the local hardware store will have these in stock. The "old school" method was: coat thoroughly every day for a week, every week for a month, every month for a year. Rub it in, then wipe off the extra. It will soak up a lot of oil at first, then less and less with each application.
hope this helps, K
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2009 15:45:22 GMT
I don't think staining will do anything for the structural integrity of the wood. It's purely an aesthetic thing, so do it (or not) as you desire. I use boiled linseed oil that I got at the local hardware store. When I get a new wood weapon, I wipe it down and clean it. Then heavily apply the oil all over and let it sit for 2-3 days, to let it soak in. Then I wipe off any extra oil still on the surface. I repeart this every few months, although considering I live in AZ where it's very dry, I should probably do it more often then that.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2009 17:06:14 GMT
When I made a 3 sectional staff for myself, I coated it with Polyurethane. Low maint, still looks new after more than 20 years
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2009 2:28:16 GMT
Hardware stores have most oils, if you get linseed make sure it is the boiled type as the straight stuff really smells and is sticky and will go rancid. I have used many types of oil and they are all ok but my preference is still camellia but it is a bit difficult to get. I use it on steel swords as well with a dash of clove oil. Raven
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2009 2:19:13 GMT
Depends on the wood that something is made out of. With beautiful woods I just oil them with automotive fish oil (that stuff does everything!) if I have a weapon that is meant to be used tung oil is good, keeps the wood supple and allows it to better resist splintering and cracking. Polyurethane on a sparring weapon is not a good idea as it won't take any oils after you use polyurethane. Tung oil is great, as are many other wood oils. I have used both immersion and general oiling, the only difference is the amount of waste (depending on the oil you use). Any wood oil will work, make sure you sand it before you oil it.
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