Shems’s Sword Guidelines
1 – Your sword is a dangerous weapon, treat it that way. Do not curl your fingers over the sharp edge of the blade (even if yours is not sharp), I don’t even like the look of a pinch hold on a sharp edge. It is up to you to show the audience how dangerous your weapon is. Don’t do anything to ruin the illusion for them. Protect the safety of your audience and yourself. Even if your sword is a more blunt decorative style, rule one still fully applies. You need to know what the “sharp” edges of your blade are.
2 – Your sword is not a hat. The sword is an incredibly versatile prop, don’t make the mistake of dropping it on your head as you begin and forgetting about it as you dance around. I hate seeing a dancer’s sword bobble around on her head as though she were completely unaware that she has an extremely dangerous weapon up there about to bounce off and cut somebody. Instead make the sword your dance partner and really show off your skill in utilizing the blade in a broad variety of ways.
These and the rest of the rules are entertaining and informative. I like everything she says here.