Sword cleaning - mistakes to avoid

Interested Party · 16th May 2023, 03:56 PM

Yvain, What grade of almond oil? Culinary or beauty supply?

What about for the care of horn? Any suggestions out there?

Sajen · 16th May 2023, 08:15 PM

Sorry, my view is completely different. I don't know what sort of sword John has shown but it looks Indo-Persian. When it's a good sword there can be hidden wootz under the patina, I personally would call it corrosion.

There are people who would pay a lot of money to receive a polished and etched blade. It takes a lot of time and energy to bring a blade back to life. I personally would clean such a blade! Just my opinion!

I also clean in most cases brass, copper and silver, it soon becomes dull again.

Sajen · 16th May 2023, 08:16 PM

But never use power tools, avoid them!

Sajen · 16th May 2023, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Interested Party

Yvain,
What about for the care of horn? Any suggestions out there?

Horn I rub and clean with linseed oil, it prevents the horn from cracking and it can close cracks and also ivory cracks.

werecow · 17th May 2023, 01:00 PM

I have a yataghan that has a horn hilt that was literally crumbling to dust when I picked it up, with small pieces coming out along the spine covering. Soaking it in neatsfoot oil for a day gave the grip a firm feel again and stopped more dust from running out.

Yvain · 17th May 2023, 04:45 PM

@Interested Party, I don't think grade matters, as long as there isn't any additives in it, I've used sunflower seed oil successfully for cleaning!

Regarding horn, as @werecrow said, I also use neatsfoot oil. The collagen (not keratin, my bad!) will bind with it and strengthen it (it will not fix splits though, of course).

mariusgmioc · 21st May 2023, 09:06 PM

I do not use anything but mineral oil. All plant-based and animal oils alter their properties quite fast and may even become rancid.

I spoke with very reputed Japanese swords dealers and they also recommend mineral oil as it is much more stable in time.

mariusgmioc · 21st May 2023, 09:09 PM

For cleaning/de-greasing a blade, white spirit and occasionally aceton are much more effective than alcohol as they effectively dissolve and remove all types of grease and wax.

Marius66 · 17th May 2023, 01:01 PM

Hello,
Sesam oil is good too

21st May 2023, 09:06 PM	#7
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	Oily oppinion I do not use anything but mineral oil. All plant-based and animal oils alter their properties quite fast and may even become rancid. I spoke with very reputed Japanese swords dealers and they also recommend mineral oil as it is much more stable in time.

21st May 2023, 09:09 PM	#8
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	de-greasing For cleaning/de-greasing a blade, white spirit and occasionally aceton are much more effective than alcohol as they effectively dissolve and remove all types of grease and wax.

16th May 2023, 03:56 PM	#1
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 490	Yvain, What grade of almond oil? Culinary or beauty supply? What about for the care of horn? Any suggestions out there?

16th May 2023, 08:15 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Sorry, my view is completely different. I don't know what sort of sword John has shown but it looks Indo-Persian. When it's a good sword there can be hidden wootz under the patina, I personally would call it corrosion. There are people who would pay a lot of money to receive a polished and etched blade. It takes a lot of time and energy to bring a blade back to life. I personally would clean such a blade! Just my opinion! I also clean in most cases brass, copper and silver, it soon becomes dull again.

16th May 2023, 08:16 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	But never use power tools, avoid them!

17th May 2023, 01:00 PM	#5
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 553	I have a yataghan that has a horn hilt that was literally crumbling to dust when I picked it up, with small pieces coming out along the spine covering. Soaking it in neatsfoot oil for a day gave the grip a firm feel again and stopped more dust from running out.

17th May 2023, 04:45 PM	#6
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 179	@Interested Party, I don't think grade matters, as long as there isn't any additives in it, I've used sunflower seed oil successfully for cleaning! Regarding horn, as @werecrow said, I also use neatsfoot oil. The collagen (not keratin, my bad!) will bind with it and strengthen it (it will not fix splits though, of course).

17th May 2023, 01:01 PM	#9
Marius66 Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 131	Hello, Sesam oil is good too