Hello,
I want to use my sword to cut light targets, but I am afraid of damaging it. If someone have experience of daily cut, please help me to keep my blade all its beauty. :)

How do you take care of your blade when you cut bottles, mats and other targets? Do you oil the blade just before the session? Do you wipe it between every blow?
Does bamboo or wet mats leave heavy traces on the steel? How do you remove them?

Thank you very much.

First, you have to accept that you're going to scratch the sword. They will be light surface scuffs if you only cut proper targets, but they'll be there.

I clean my sword after every mat (or multiple mats if I have them set up at the same time). I use WD40, spray it heavily on the blade, and wipe off with paper towels. This is to remove the shcmutz that tatami leaves on the surface and to displace the water from the wet mats.

After I'm done cutting for the day, I wipe down the blade to dry it, apply my usual oil (Breakfree CLP or Remoil), wipe that thoroughly into the blade and fittings and then I put the sword away.

While cutting, I try to shake the excess water from the blade so it does not run down into the guard / grip. I cut until I am finished for the day, then oil the sword before putting it away. I wipe down all the furniture with a gun/reel cloth after any handling. If I mar my blade, I have plenty of ultra-fine grit sandpaper and both grey and green Scotchbrite pads that will buff out any markings - depending on the finish of the blade. I also keep a little fine / xfine steel wool on hand for any touching up. :)

Thank you. I will try first with bottles and use WD40 to protect the guard and grip. Ah and I remember it's the season for melons... That's not a honorable way to use a sword but it could be funny and a good opportunity for a garden party :p

I hope that this light targets will not let too much scratches on the blade. I have grey pads and Ballistol, but in the light I can see old salted dewdrop on my blade that I wasn't able to remove.
I will see...