how to get rust out of a scabbard ?

gp · 19th August 2022, 11:02 PM

Hi folks!

Question: I just got a yataghan which had a little oxidation at the point .
Cleaned it carefully but as both the weapon and the scabbard (wood covered with leather and silverlike metal at both ends) was rather dried out, I did clean it and took care of the dry condition.
But still a reddish powder...rust comes out of the scabbard.
I carefully tipped it a little to get the majority out and have it now vertically standing in the hope the remaining or at least more comes out.
This before I put the blade back in and avoid rust "powder" contaminating the blade again....
Any tips or advice ?

shayde78 · 20th August 2022, 02:19 AM

GREAT question. I have several recent acquisitions that came with rusty blades inside of scabbards or sheaths. So, like you, I have rust inside sheath and I'm stumped how to get it out.

David R · 20th August 2022, 10:19 AM

I have used a small bore (air) rifle cleaning rod on a couple of scabbards, and one of those "air duster" cans, as used on electrical equipment to blow loose stuff out.
I am just as interested as anyone else in tips and ideas.

Edster · 20th August 2022, 02:18 PM

I had a blade rusted secure into a scabbard. Finally just tapped the scabbard all over a lot to break up the connection and pulled out the blade. Continued tapping/vibration and shaking out the rust particles cleaned out a lot. Air duster like David said would clean other loose particles.

kahnjar1 · 21st August 2022, 10:39 PM

DavidR's idea above is a good one but also perhaps a suitable size bottle brush would do the job if attached to an extension so it reaches all the way to the bottom of the scabbard. The bristles of these are usually plastic of some sort so should not do damage to the inside of the scabbard. Most hardware stores have these brushes in various sizes.
Stu

19th August 2022, 11:02 PM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 717	how to get rust out of a scabbard ? Hi folks! Question: I just got a yataghan which had a little oxidation at the point . Cleaned it carefully but as both the weapon and the scabbard (wood covered with leather and silverlike metal at both ends) was rather dried out, I did clean it and took care of the dry condition. But still a reddish powder...rust comes out of the scabbard. I carefully tipped it a little to get the majority out and have it now vertically standing in the hope the remaining or at least more comes out. This before I put the blade back in and avoid rust "powder" contaminating the blade again.... Any tips or advice ?

20th August 2022, 02:19 AM	#2
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	GREAT question. I have several recent acquisitions that came with rusty blades inside of scabbards or sheaths. So, like you, I have rust inside sheath and I'm stumped how to get it out.

20th August 2022, 10:19 AM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	I have used a small bore (air) rifle cleaning rod on a couple of scabbards, and one of those "air duster" cans, as used on electrical equipment to blow loose stuff out. I am just as interested as anyone else in tips and ideas.

20th August 2022, 02:18 PM	#4
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	I had a blade rusted secure into a scabbard. Finally just tapped the scabbard all over a lot to break up the connection and pulled out the blade. Continued tapping/vibration and shaking out the rust particles cleaned out a lot. Air duster like David said would clean other loose particles.

21st August 2022, 10:39 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	DavidR's idea above is a good one but also perhaps a suitable size bottle brush would do the job if attached to an extension so it reaches all the way to the bottom of the scabbard. The bristles of these are usually plastic of some sort so should not do damage to the inside of the scabbard. Most hardware stores have these brushes in various sizes. Stu