Cleaning a Japanse Sword

**Twillie2** · 01-10-2017, 02:15 AM

I have a Japanese sword that had cosmoline applied to the blade. I understand the cosmoline has been on the blade for almost 40 years. What's the best way to clean the blade? And will the cosmoline damage the blade? Thanks much. R/ Twillie2

**Tank Destroyer** · 01-10-2017, 02:17 AM

If you can post a few pictures that would help to assess and better to answer your question.
Marty

**CBH** · 01-10-2017, 03:12 AM

Diesel fuel will remove cosmoline , then oil it .

**rbminis** · 01-10-2017, 03:14 AM

by CBH

Diesel fuel will remove cosmoline , then oil it .

Don't oil it!

Oil collects dust and is not good to have on the blade when it is re-inserted into the saya.
Wipe it clean with something else or use Ren-Wax after it has been cleaned with the diesel.
Ralph.

**asterperious** · 01-10-2017, 03:27 AM

The cosmoline will have probably trashed the blade after 40 years, it is meant to be a short term transport preservative for firearms. It gets hard and actually attracts moisture Hopefully it was factory blade and not a historic blade. Pictures would be nice

Cosmoline Remover - Cosmoline Removal Made Easy - Removes Grease, Wax & Coatings

**CBH** · 01-10-2017, 04:04 AM

Yes a conservators wax is always better , I didn't realize cosmoline would damage after time , what exactly happens .

**BOB COLEMAN** · 01-10-2017, 06:54 AM

I have removed cosmoline from numerous swords and have never found it to have damaged the blade. Please post pictures.

**DaveR** · 01-10-2017, 08:29 PM

Use a solvent to dissolve the cosmoline, lightly oil the blade with a high grade oil. Ideally "Choji", but sewing machine oil will do at a pinch. If you don't collect Nihonto yourself, please stop posting half baked suggestions (no matter how well meaning) that do more harm than good (I am fed up of these). Watch the video in the link for further advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk2y...ature=youtu.be

**DaveR** · 01-10-2017, 09:03 PM

Sorry for being a bit harsh above. The trouble is I see so many people chiming in with well meant advice garnered from dubious sources, and sometimes it does real harm. Some of us here specialise in swords, and some don't..... To quote Groucho Marx, "Me and the flies have an agreement, they don't practice Law and I don't walk on the ceiling!"