Knights Templar Sword

roy.kurka

MM, RAM, KT, 32*, DEMOLAY
I am getting my last degree in KT in January, I will be the inspection candidate for my Commandery. My grandfather was part of the same commandery and he left me his sword. he did not have his name engraved on it yet but there is another name on it. I think he got it from the Lodge. Is there anyway to get the other name off and put mine on it when I begin using it for drill and things? Also, what is the best way to clean it? It is very tarnished from sitting for a long time?
 

Winter

I've been here before
As far as I know there is no way to remove those names. A lot of men from my old Commandary used swords from the armoury that belonged to former Knights.

I would counsel you not to remove that name. Remember, at one point in time that was a Brothers pride and joy when he was a KT. When you consider how often those get passed on, they really aren't that expensive.

Knight Templar: Los Angeles Fraternal Supply Company, Inc. (LAFSCO)
 

roy.kurka

MM, RAM, KT, 32*, DEMOLAY
Winter,

I never thought of that point of view before. Maybe I can try and find the family of the person that owned that sword and get it to them. It might mean alot more to them. Since the sword doesn't have my grandfather's name on it, i suppose it does not have alot of sentimental value to me. Thanks for the bringing me to further light! lol
 

Duncan1574

Lodge Chaplain & arms dealer
[snip] Also, what is the best way to clean it? It is very tarnished from sitting for a long time?
Is it silver plated or stainless steel? Picture would be useful.

silver/ss - use a silver polishing cloth to bring up the shine but preserve the patina only age can provide.
If there is rust - Scotchbrite pad, warm water. rub the length of the blade to prevent swirling patterns.
Check it for looseness in the grip, usually the pommel has either the nut or IS the nut.

Swords, there is a subject I know something about!
So as a KT, I get to carry a sword? Choices, choices. German 1570 hand-1/2, Scottish basket hilt, Roman gadius style short, Conner katana.
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Really you do not get choices . Each Grand Encampment has regulation swords . I am not supposed to use my NCO sword , but I do anyway , Because we do not wear the uniforms (thank goodness) , but Mantles and one can not see my sword under the Mantle .
 

PatrickWilliams

I could tell you ...
Here's another county heard from:

Templar swords are not rare artifacts, or particularly powerful momentoes to the families of deceased Sir Knights (you can find them all over EBay). Indeed, my Commandery receives swords on occasion from the families of members who have passed on. Had the sword been a particularly powerful remembrance of a deceased family member, they (the family) would still have it locked up safe somewhere.

Now, what to do with your sword? Much depends on its condition. If the metal is not badly pitted (lots of little black spots on the blade), there are companies that will remove the old name from the blade and etch your name on it, putting it all back together. Then you functionally have an old sword with your name on it.

Should the blade be pitted or bent (standing a sword on it's point - even in the scabbard will eventually bend the blade somewhat) or otherwise unusable, these same companies will attach a replacement blade to the hilt. And, should you wish, you can pay to have your name etched on the replacement blade. Now you have a new sword with an old hilt and scabbard! These companies can also re-enamel the fancy enameled portions on the scabbard and/or hilt. Either of these options can be less expensive than buying a new sword, but really are not much less expensive in the long run.

You will have noticed that I have typed the word 'expensive' here several times. No matter how you do it, it's going to be pricey. Templar stuff never was cheap, but as membership within the organization has shrunk (just like in all forms of Masonry) the prices for new regalia have gone up. And the prices for refurbishing old regalia have gone up, too.

None of the Templar swords out there are particularly valuable as antiques or as collector's items. There's just too many of them on the market. So ... if you want to have an old sword re-bladed, I say go ahead (the price of having a new blade put in, etched with your name, is not much greater than that of having an old blade re-etched). But I have chosen to just use the old sword I got from our arsenal until such time as I can afford a new one of my own.

DO NOT TRY TO ALTER A SWORD AT HOME. I've seen too many attempts at this and they never come out looking right.
 

PatrickWilliams

I could tell you ...
Is it silver plated or stainless steel? Picture would be useful.

silver/ss - use a silver polishing cloth to bring up the shine but preserve the patina only age can provide.
If there is rust - Scotchbrite pad, warm water. rub the length of the blade to prevent swirling patterns.
Check it for looseness in the grip, usually the pommel has either the nut or IS the nut.

Swords, there is a subject I know something about!
So as a KT, I get to carry a sword? Choices, choices. German 1570 hand-1/2, Scottish basket hilt, Roman gadius style short, Conner katana.
Russ, none of the old Templar swords are silver. They are all chromed steel. Even if there's rust (very rare on chromed steel) you should NEVER take a Scotchbrite pad to a Templar blade. They are all chemically 'engraved' with 'scenes of knightly honor' and Scotchbrite will mess that up in a big hurry.
 

PatrickWilliams

I could tell you ...
I am thinkin ruffians...... but I am 6'4" too..... but I am kinda good lookin....:D
Well, I am 6'4" when I get out of bed, but rapidly shrink to about 6'2" over the course of the day. AND I'm ooglay. But I'm NOT an Ex-Marine. So you go teach him a lesson.
 
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