Off Topic Aspiring children's book author doing research here...

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redwingsgirl514

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Jul 8, 2018
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First off, I hope this is the right spot for this post. If not, I'm sorry. Where should I have posted this?

But like the title says, I'm doing research. If I can get this work published, I don't want anyone's mom or dad looking at some line I wrote and saying "it's obvious you have no idea as to what you're talking about". I don't care if this is fantasy - I want it correct.

But I have a fantasy warrior. There's obviously weapons involved. My problem is my only experience with a blade would be the kitchen knife variety. Can anyone either correct my layman's perspective or point me in the right direction?

Fantasy works tend to be strongly based off of the historical way of doing things. From the forums I've seen leather sheaths are a debated item now, but once upon a time that was what folks had to use (right?) Another thread made reference to oiling the blade to prevent rust. Leather attracts moisture, but protects the blade if there is moisture outside? (That feels a little contradictory.)

Exposure to the elements - is there something different you have to do to the blade/leather if it's icy/muddy/insert-whatever-weather-condition-here?

Thank you in advance.
 
Sheaths are for knives, and scabbards are for swords. Historically speaking, scabbards were used to carry swords and constructed of a dried wooden core fitted to the sword blade, sometimes lined with fur, and wrapped in leather or fabric to protect the wood core. There are numerous variations depending on time period and culture. Scabbards were also made of iron, brass, or steel in later periods.

Two of most important parts about blade maintenance is to keep the blade dry, and clean the blade after it has been bloodied. Blood contains water, salt, and proteins that will rust and pit a blade, so at a bare minimum wiping the blood off the blade until you can do a good cleaning, then oil and sharpen the blade.

Old leather and stitching was treated with fat/wax/oil, and that kept the rain / splashes of water mostly out.

Good luck with your writing.
 
^^^Very correct. Even metal sheaths and scabbards usually contain a wooden core. It's due to this that cleaning a blade before sheathing it is imperative. Getting old blood and gore inside a sheath can cause sepsis to the owner if he cuts himself cleaning or sharpening.

There are a number of historical re-enactment groups that you might want to contact as to the use of weapons; try "Legion Six Victrix" in Burbank, CA.
 
Some sheathes/scabbards were lined with sheepskin, brushed but unwashed so still greasy with lanolin.
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