How did people in the middle ages keep their swords from rusting in the rain? Did people just not fight if it was wet out?

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How did people in the middle ages keep their swords from rusting in the rain? Did people just not fight if it was wet out?

In: Technology

8 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Same as us in the army with our bayonets, you wipe it down and oil it.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Rust doesnt imediately destroy a weapon, and you can polish it out even if it gets to you, so fighting in the rain is not impossible (even if it isn’t exactly fun.)

The most common form of rust protection for weapons are oil, grease or wax, anything that forms a barrier against water. Wiping the blade down with an oily rag, or a piece of greasy sheeps wool is usually plenty.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Rust isn’t instant. Metal needs to get wet and stay wet for the rust process to start up. Fight in the rain then dry your sword off afterwards. Then oil the blade anyway to keep a layer between the metal and the rain.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Simple, regular maintenance, after using the sword they didn’t just throw it back in the scabbard and hang on the wall at home until the next time. It would be wiped dry, re-sharpened and oiled before storing it. A sword is not going to fall apart immediately after getting wet, seriously rusting would take weeks of neglect.

Anonymous 0 Comments

they would clean them and use oil to coat them.

Anonymous 0 Comments

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Ive been told that mostly by rubbing swords with oil, mainly pork lard, but I have not checked that claim. It does sound reasonable though cuz that’s what I would do.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Part of weapon care is application of oils, regular sharpening and polishing, and they would be put into scabbards which protect the blade in addition to making it easier to carry.