How to look after wootz blade

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by Lee

I have never ventured into experimenting with the light etch followed by restaining advocated by some.

Lew, please forgive my ignorance and lack of knowledge - I am not familiar with the term "restaining". May you clarify it?
Also, every time I try to clean rusty spot(s) by any mechanical method(s) I end up having a zebra-like wootz blade covered with light and dark spots, so I personally prefer to clean/lightly polish the whole blade evenly, and re-etch it. Most of the times the end result is more attractive and even-patterned blade. You'll hate me for saying this, but in these cases the aesthetic appeal takes over the historic preservation concept. Sometimes I just can not help to find out what the pattern will look after cleaning and etching... Hey, look at most famous old paintings - many were restored, I've never heard a concept of not touching an original painting or a sculpture or a building to "preserve its history". In addition, is beautiful wootz blade is not the same or even better work of art after it is polished/etched to reveal it's original beautiful pattern? It is granted that it MUST be done by someone who knows what he/she is doing!!!!!!!!!