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Caring for staffs

Caring for your Wooden Staff

Your waster will be coated with a mixture of Boiled Linseed oil and Mineral Spirits (about 50/50). The mineral spirits helps with the drying. Its useful, but not required. This creates a barrier between the environment and the wood to prevent it from from drying out, becoming brittle, or warping. You can not over-oil them! BOILED linseed oil is available at any box store or even WalMart. Tung oil can also be used with much the same results and give a glossy finish. Its just a little more expensive.. BOILED linseed oil is more matte.

1. Sand lightly with 220 grit sandpaper.
2. Wipe down the wood with oil, very little is needed.
3. Let the oil sit on the wood for 15 minutes then wipe the excess away with a clean cloth.
4. Let it dry for a few hours or overnight.
5. Resand it smooth to touch once its dry.
6. If the wood is very dry put a second coat and repeat.

Caution: Please be careful with Linseed oil. Wet rags can spontaneously ignite, so follow all safety precautions.

An old North Country English saying is Once a day for a week, Once a week for a month, Once a month for a year, And once a year for life. Well, that's a lot, but it will last forever. However, one of our best customers has not oiled his wasters for 10 years and he still regularly uses them with no problems.

A light sanding with the 220 grit sandpaper can also be used to removed dirt and grime that builds up on the handle area. It will also make the blade nice and smooth. Regularly check your waster for any splinters that may appear. These should be sanded out with 120 grit sandpaper and then smoothed over with 220 grit. Re-oil the spot as required.

  • Do NOT leave wood productsin direct sun, heat, or water. This include leaving them in your car. This will cause the blade to warp and will not be covered by our Warranty. The staffs are laminated layers. Which means they are glued together. Water can degrade the glue joint.
  • Do NOT use wood against steel weapons or steel armour. Hitting a round surface is typically OK, but any sharp edges such as on a rim of a helm will gouge the wood if their is sufficient force. This is also not covered by our Warranty.
  • You can, but its not the best to use beeswax, varnish, polyurethane, or paint on the staffs, this makes the weapons look pretty, but does not penetrate and preserve the core of the wood. Some beeswax applied in the handle area to keep the dirt away is OK, but not on the blade section.
  • Do NOT neglect oiling your staffs. The wood moisture content in the wood will change just like your skin. A dry air conditioned house to a humid workout room will cause the wood to warp. Oiling can prevent this. Also without oil, the wood will dry out and splinter with contact or warp. This is not covered by our Warranty.
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With proper care and maintenance your staff should last many years to come.
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