Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-1839918-20160301193534/@comment-24757748-20160319024046

Actually, the sword having fire properties works with my previous theories. (see above)  It would also explain the strange properties previously observed (notice the glow where the blades make contact).

That being said, none of this actually proves anything and it's just as likely that his sword is only meant to match his color scheme, and that the glowey, "vibroblade-esque" properties are a result of his Semblance (the "Moonslice", if that's what it's actually called, which seems to involve charging up his blade with enough energy to disintegrate metal).

As for ThatOneGuy's question, the presence of so many weapons with this red coloration does make one wonder if it's mere decoration or if there's something in the smithing process that makes this metal look like that. If so, does it make the metal stronger? Weaker? "Special" somehow?

It's unfortunate that details on the RWBYverse's technology and mechanics are so scant, despite how many World of Remnant episodes come out. Otherwise, threads like this wouldn't exist.