Possible Clues:

• Weapon for many Tamora Pierce heroines
• Duel weapon
• Fencing piece?
• Blade finally opens a series of letters?
• Son, wife or daughter producing blade
• Arguments over old copper foil
• Weapon on an Oscar statuette
• Start of solemn declaration bringing war
• Weapon used to slay the [circled letters]
• Samurai's weapon