How often should i maintain my katanas?

S

spinning jaguar

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May 19, 2008
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i should probably already know this, but i have several katanas and a basic maintenance kit with blade oil and a powder ball for polishing. i polish and oil them every few months or so, but im fairly sure im supposed to do it more often so if anyone knows for sure how often would be best i would really appreciate it.
 
spinning jaguar said:
i should probably already know this, but i have several katanas and a basic maintenance kit with blade oil and a powder ball for polishing. i polish and oil them every few months or so, but im fairly sure im supposed to do it more often so if anyone knows for sure how often would be best i would really appreciate it.
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That really depends on where you live, what the climate is like and where your swords are stored. Some places will require oiling and such more often then others.
 
Triton said:
That really depends on where you live, what the climate is like and where your swords are stored. Some places will require oiling and such more often then others.
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i live in a desert city so it's pretty dry here compared to other places i'd imagine, and i just store them on display stands in my room and the fan is usually on, at least now during the summer if that helps at all
 
spinning jaguar said:
i live in a desert city so it's pretty dry here compared to other places i'd imagine, and i just store them on display stands in my room and the fan is usually on, at least now during the summer if that helps at all
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In that case I'm guessing you could probably get away with a lot less then once a month providing they are not constantly being handled or test cut with. I would agree with the above that they should be cleaned after use. I wouldn't bother with the uchiko ball unless you know it to be of high quality, the low end ones tend to often leave more scratches then they clean. A light coat of mineral or gun oil every month or two ought to do you.
 
ANY uchiko, regardless of quality, should only be used when necessary as it is abrasive and will cloud the hamon with time. Uchiko is made from polishing stone dust, and as such only use as good uchiko as you would wish to polish the sword with if it were going off for a professional sharpening. It is mostly for removing minor surface tarnishing if any light rust develops and as such should only be used if this occurs.
 
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