Guard Decor Image

When I began sword practice, I was outfitted - as was everybody else - with a standard, stock wooden practice sword.



As you might imagine, every single sword looked exactly right and it became very easy to mix up whose sword was whose. I decided I should mark my sword so that I didn't get mixed up and take somebody else's sword by mistake. The question was how to do it. I didn't want to just write my name on it!

I went to a local Michael's and looked at their rubber stamp set. I eventually found a set that had medieval style flourishes. I took that home and sat down with a Sharpie - i.e. a permanent black marker. I rubbed the Sharpie very thoughly (but quickly!) over the stamp and then pressed it down hard on the crossguard, making sure to press evenly along its length. You have to do this FAST because the Sharpie ink dries almost immediately and because once you press down that stamp you don't get a second shot at it. You aren't going to get that image off unless you sand it off.



I then sprayed a clear lacquer over the image, just to ensure it didn't get rubbed or scratched off easily.

You could of course get stamps in any style you wanted - skulls, gemstones, etc. to completely customize your guard.



Resizing and Adjusting your Practice Sword
Parts of a Sword
Medieval Swords and Swordfighting

Medieval Conflict
Medieval Bows and Arrows
Medieval Keeps and Castles
Medieval Weapons

Life in Medieval Days

Academy of Knightly Arts - Live Sword Training School in New England


Lisa's Medieval Romances
Seeking the Truth
Knowing Yourself
A Sense of Duty


Online Literary Magazines

Lisa Shea Website Main Page