As mentioned in help newbie advantages, once you attain level
18, there is a chance that you might drop your weapon in
combat.  Though you may put your weapons on a keep list, this
does not prevent you from dropping them in a fight.  Two
common methods of preventing damage from this are getting a
sticky from a merchant, or a laniard from either a Sentinel
or a Ranger. 

Of course, there is a third method, but that requires having
a very high Dexterity rating.

See also -- HELP SPELL STICKY WEAPON,
HELP SKILL LANIARD MAKING, HELP HIGHBIE ADVANTAGES,
HELP NEWBIE ADVANTAGES