Whatever the reason, the weapon bearer will usually be very reluctant to transgress the rule. Maybe the weapon is treated as a living thing that must have its bloodlust sated. The rule might serve to limit pointless aggression or empty threats by forcing the warrior to only draw in life-or-death circumstances. Some warriors may feel honor-bound to carry through the threat that a drawn weapon implies.
The reason for the rule can vary widely per example. In such cases, the warrior will usually cut his hand with the blade. Usually the intent is to wet the blade with the blood of one’s enemies, but if none are available, the warrior may substitute his own blood to honor the letter of the rule. So seriously that some warriors are not allowed to sheath their weapon until they have used it to draw blood. In some circumstances, drawing a weapon is taken very seriously. G’Kar, “A Day in the Strife”, Babylon 5
“That is a K’tok! Once drawn, it cannot be sheathed until it draws blood.”
