Care for swords

bidough · 6th April 2006, 05:41 AM

Hello,
I have recently inherited a decent size group of swords from Japanese Samurais, Ottoman Shamsir, INdian bulova, and other assorted old military swords.
My question is, how do I care for these swords? Some have some tarnish on the blades and I would like to bring out the blade details on some.
Also, can I clean the scabbard with something that will not harm the materials? The Ottoman shamsir scabbard is quite detailed.

Will cleaning of the swords effect any value of them also?

Thank you for any information you can provide.

Rick · 6th April 2006, 05:59 AM

Pictures would help in evaluation of what methods to use .

Rich · 6th April 2006, 11:15 AM

Do NOT attempt to clean, polish or sharpen the Japanese swords, it
will ruin them and any value they may have. A light coating of non-acidic
machine oil is all that is needed. If they have rusted, etc, they need expert
professional restoration. Amateur cleaning / polishing will likely ruin them.
With most swords, unless you are a professional conservator, do nothing
but lightly oil the blades. The motto here is the same as in the medical field:
first, do no harm.

Rich S

------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD alchemyst@yahoo.com

The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm
------------------------------------------------------------

M.carter · 6th April 2006, 11:46 AM

Hi,

First off, dont try to polish or sharpen anything. If they are old and valuable, any amateur sharpening/polishing job will likely destroy their value. If they are all gunked up, i suggest you get some WD40, some scotch-brite pads, and start scrubbing.

As Rick said, pics would help

Yannis · 7th April 2006, 12:27 PM

Taking care of swords is not so difficult as it sounds. Common sense is vital here. No acid, no hard tools, no violence exept you know exactly what to do. Different material need different aproach. Oil for steel and irron, wax for leather is the general idea.

I would love to see the shamsir

6th April 2006, 05:41 AM	#1
bidough Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3	Care for swords Hello, I have recently inherited a decent size group of swords from Japanese Samurais, Ottoman Shamsir, INdian bulova, and other assorted old military swords. My question is, how do I care for these swords? Some have some tarnish on the blades and I would like to bring out the blade details on some. Also, can I clean the scabbard with something that will not harm the materials? The Ottoman shamsir scabbard is quite detailed. Will cleaning of the swords effect any value of them also? Thank you for any information you can provide.

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6th April 2006, 05:59 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Pictures would help in evaluation of what methods to use .

6th April 2006, 11:15 AM	#3
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Do NOT attempt to clean, polish or sharpen the Japanese swords, it will ruin them and any value they may have. A light coating of non-acidic machine oil is all that is needed. If they have rusted, etc, they need expert professional restoration. Amateur cleaning / polishing will likely ruin them. With most swords, unless you are a professional conservator, do nothing but lightly oil the blades. The motto here is the same as in the medical field: first, do no harm. Rich S ------------------------------------------------------------ Richard Stein, PhD alchemyst@yahoo.com The Japanese Sword Index http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm ------------------------------------------------------------

6th April 2006, 11:46 AM	#4
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	Hi, First off, dont try to polish or sharpen anything. If they are old and valuable, any amateur sharpening/polishing job will likely destroy their value. If they are all gunked up, i suggest you get some WD40, some scotch-brite pads, and start scrubbing. As Rick said, pics would help

7th April 2006, 12:27 PM	#5
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	Taking care of swords is not so difficult as it sounds. Common sense is vital here. No acid, no hard tools, no violence exept you know exactly what to do. Different material need different aproach. Oil for steel and irron, wax for leather is the general idea. I would love to see the shamsir