Taking care of rusty blades

August 5, 8:57 AMBaltimore Fencing ExaminerGreg Paye

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The Mid-Atlantic is infamous for its heat and humidity in the summer time. In this weather, fencers may notice that their previously only slightly-rusty blades may turn dark red and brown overnight - especially if they forget to take their sweaty gear out of their equipment bags! Keeping blades clean is a good habit that keeps your gear, and your opponent's uniform, free from rust stains.

Every fencer should have a stock of steel wool, preferably of medium to coarse grade. About once a week fencers should use the steel wool to scrub their blades. This will take off the majority of the rust, but I recommend finishing the blade as well.

To finish a blade, a rust inhibitor like WD-40 is great. I will take a paper towel, spray a bit of WD-40 on it, then use it to wipe down a freshly scrubbed blade. Another product I've been turned on to is NEVR DULL. This is a tin can which holds a treated wad of cotton. You tear off a piece of the cotton wad, then wipe down the blade. It's amazing to see how much dirt and grime gets lifted off the blade with this product.

The new fencing season has begun! Get out those rusty blades, clean them up, and get ready to hit the strips. Don't forget to renew your USFA membership if you need to. Check out AskFred.net to see if your division has posted its new tournament schedule.