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How do your care for a good sword?
- Thread starter golok
- Start date
Triton
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2000
- Messages
- 36,155
Well it depends on who you ask and what you actually have. If you are talking about an antique then I'll say I have no opinion because I don't know anything about historical conservation.
However if you are talking about a modern made high end sword I'd have to say that a little gun oil once a month or so applied with a rag pretty much does the trick. You would not believe the lengths some people think they must got to (I once saw a guy asking about keeping swords in a vaccuum packed environment). There may be a little more to caring for a Japanese sword with that same' grip and the ito but my thought is that stuff like that will eventually have to be replaced anyway although likely not in your lifetime more then once so it's probably not worrying about either.
However if you are talking about a modern made high end sword I'd have to say that a little gun oil once a month or so applied with a rag pretty much does the trick. You would not believe the lengths some people think they must got to (I once saw a guy asking about keeping swords in a vaccuum packed environment). There may be a little more to caring for a Japanese sword with that same' grip and the ito but my thought is that stuff like that will eventually have to be replaced anyway although likely not in your lifetime more then once so it's probably not worrying about either.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 1,957
For old japanese swords (or any other swords that employ carbon steel), a light coat of choji oil (or mineral oil) will prevent rust. If the sword is NOT used for practice or cutting, clean the sword once in 6 months.
Cleaning method (usually done on japanese swords) :
1. Using clean cotton cloth, wipe the oil from the blade.
2. Put uchiko powder on the blade.
3. Use a different cloth (same material - clean), wipe the blade from the uchiko powder to ensure the removal of the old oil.
4. Re-coat the blade with choji (or mineral oil).
There are some concerns regarding uchiko powder scratching the blade, well, using higher end uchiko powder will avoid that problem.
Cleaning method (usually done on japanese swords) :
1. Using clean cotton cloth, wipe the oil from the blade.
2. Put uchiko powder on the blade.
3. Use a different cloth (same material - clean), wipe the blade from the uchiko powder to ensure the removal of the old oil.
4. Re-coat the blade with choji (or mineral oil).
There are some concerns regarding uchiko powder scratching the blade, well, using higher end uchiko powder will avoid that problem.
- Joined
- May 25, 2001
- Messages
- 504
The experts on television programs like the "Antique Roadshow" often recommend putting petroleum jelly on the blade. They also advise not to leave fingerprints on a valuable blade.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2003
- Messages
- 284
If you do not use your sword, just put a film of mineral oil on the blade, once every six months, or more often if you live in a humid environment. Store in the scabbard.
After using (tamishigiri etc)...
1. Wipe off
2. Put oil on
3. Put uchuko powder on.
4. Wipe off.
5. Put new oil on.
After using (tamishigiri etc)...
1. Wipe off
2. Put oil on
3. Put uchuko powder on.
4. Wipe off.
5. Put new oil on.