The Cleaning of Blades

[Jean]

(deleted)

[Marcokeris]

I normally use citric acid powder (2 teaspoons) added to about 2 liters of water and I leave the blade dipped for a day or two (it depends by the rust) . Then I wash the blade. Then I use sodium bicarbonate with a toothbrush and pass it over the blade. Finally I wash the blade again and dry it with a phone

[David]

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

Finally I wash the blade again and dry it with a phone

These new-fangled phones these days! LOL!

[David]

Hey, i seriously don't want to stop this discussion, but please keep in mind that we already have quite a few threads on washing and/or staining keris. I am always interested in new information on this process, but don't think we need to go over the same old ground again and again so please try to be aware of information that we have already discussed in depth before posting. Thanks!

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes David, I agree, and the old threads cover methods other than acid cleaning.

The major reason I started this new thread is because of two things that Kai mentioned:-

1) that a mild acetic acid can damage steel

2) that there is no need to kill acetic acid residue with bi-carb

Perhaps Kai can give us technical explanations for this, because I have never experienced damage to any blade that I have ever cleaned with vinegar, even though on a couple of occasions I've forgotten I had one soaking, and it got the benefit of 2 or 3 weeks in a vinegar bath.

Similarly, I have seen ferric material react after cleaning with vinegar when I did not use the bicarb slurry before the final rinse. I do not always use bicarb, it is mostly when my experience tells me that I should, or on a return clean when a blade has reacted because I did not use bi-carb the first time.

So now I am waiting for Kai to share his knowledge.

I have only learnt from experience, I have no technical knowledge at all about the things that I use.

But cleaning a blade for the first time might seem like a big thing to somebody new to it, so I believe it is important that those people should get as much guidance as possible.

[Rick]

I have a (new to me) tombak that I have used Picreator Metal De-corroder on to remove the rust which was pretty substantial.
The result shows a noticeable difference in color between the core and the pamor.
I intend to try a strong, hot coffee solution (in lieu of warangan) to try to make that contrast even more apparent.

I'm hesitant to post pictures here as it is not a keris.

[kai]

Hello Rick,

I'm hesitant to post pictures here as it is not a keris.

Since we're discussing methods in general, I don't think we need to restrict ourselves to keris only. One might even prefer to transfer this thread to the main forum...

Regards,
Kai

[David]

Originally Posted by Rick

I'm hesitant to post pictures here as it is not a keris.

Well Rick, when we started this forum we made a choice to discuss just keris, not all tosan aji. We talked about including tombak at the time and decided not to and i believe that was probably the best decision. That said, however, i believe that in the context of this discussion a few photographs of the cleaning you did on your tombak would not be out of place in this context. It's not the same as presenting the tombak for deeper discussion. I say go for it.

[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes David, I agree, and the old threads cover methods other than acid cleaning.

The major reason I started this new thread is because of two things that Kai mentioned:-

1) that a mild acetic acid can damage steel

2) that there is no need to kill acetic acid residue with bi-carb

Thanks Alan. Yes, i understood your intentions for open this thread. My note was not directed specifically at you, or anyone else for that matter. It was simply a reminder to everyone that there is no need to spend time and space covering aspects of cleaning that we have already discussed in much detail. New information is always welcome.