Sword cleaning - mistakes to avoid

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.

21st May 2023, 09:06 PM	#2
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	#3
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.

17th May 2023, 04:45 PM	#1
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).