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I would go with a katana, particularly if you aren't a sword master you don't want to risk your hands. As for the cleansing, I am not entirely certain. Oil and salt don't sound like good things for metal to me though, particularly the salt. Someone in here might know better, but this also may be a good question for google.

it all depends on what type of metal the sword is made of. XD And i would suggest getting both a wooden Katana and Shirisaya, before decicding what feels the best to you.

@Ciele: I'm also a sucker for beauty, so that was my biggest problem. I agree though; I think starting with a katana seems more sensible. I had someone tell me; "You'll never be in combat with it; this is the 21st Century." I had actually heard something about gaining a permit to carry weapons, and my friend (the one who's learning with me) told me she knows a guy that never has fewer than five or six weapons on him at one time, both bladed and firearms. I just kinda sat there and twitched, wondering if that was even legal.

I know you can get a permit to carry a knife that's, like, under three inches in blade length, but I doubt they'd let me walk around with a katana on my hip. Will they? -ponders-

I also have now to decide between two katanas. I know, I'm terrible, but it'll be my first functional sword. I have a crappy decorative sabre from India, it's got hidden tang, the blade is in terrible condition, just... blah. I want this one to be special, you know?

Do you really have to have a reason to get a sword? I have a set of three that I don't go out and fight with, but i think are pretty and I just like having them because I think ancient (meaning pre fire arms) weapons are interesting. I would love to get a nice bow and quiver of arrows biggrin

If the blade is stainless steel you shouldn't use it as a "battle ready" weapon as you'll have several peices of it all of a sudden. However water and salt should be fine regardless, providing you don't leave it on for ages and make a point of drying it off and cleaning it carefully.

As far as combat and stuff is concerned, I don't know about where you come from, but I used to train swordfighting (15th century, b*****d's swords - 1&1/2 handed) and as long as the blade was blunt, it wasn't considered a weapon. We did print out that part of the lawbook just in case though, the police might not be aware of the rules. I can't really see a reason to carry around a sharpened katana though. I have no experience with katanas, but a sharpened b*****d's sword could cut bone like butter when aimed right. And if you find a good kendo studio, you ought to get your chance to practice combat. smile Even if only with the wooden ones, it's fun either way. smile

In most Wiccan and pagan circles, this is a bad move. Our swords and athames are not to be used to cut on the physical realm and they are especially not to be allowed to draw blood, even yours. Blood magick is something to be studyed and well prepared before one uses it.

I use sage or other herbs, burnt in a dish and pass my metals through the smoke. I find that this and running over flame work best for me.

Eh, ya'll are just bitter because they can kill you long before you get close to them. Good tactics, I'd say. Not much different than killing someone wielding a longsword with a longbow from a distance. Tactics. 'Nuff said.