Questions from a newbie sword owner

[Shryke]

Hello there. I recently purchased my first Katana, through Aoi-Art. I am extremely pleased with the sword, and enjoy looking at it for hours at a time. I have found three extremely small spots on the sword - approximately 1mm in diameter. They are dark colored, perhaps even brown. One appears in the hamon, the other two elsewhere. I, of course, feared rust. However, when I look at the spots in good lighting, even reflecting different lights off of the spot, the surface of the sword appears to be perfectly flat. I have also passed a toothpick over the spots to feel or any type of surface change, with zero effect.

 

So, my questions: are they very small rust spots? Polished over and thus smooth? Or something that appears in swords of certain quality (or lack thereof)?

 

If I have omitted relevant information, please forgive me.

 

edit: name

 

Daniel F

[Mark Farrar]

It sounds like rust if it is brown. Best thing to do if u can is post a pic so we can see it.

 

If it is rust I wouldnt worry too much about it if its small, unless you have just payed out for a fresh polish of course.

[Shryke]

I appreciate the answer. I will see if I can locate a camera that can capture the dots - they are quite small.

 

Daniel F

[Nobody]

This is my only experiecne.

Even if the surface looked flat with your naked eyes, you might find very small spots of rust with a magnifying glass.

[Ichi]

Even if the surface area shows only a small pin head rust, inside could be spreaded out. That was the case with my Kunikiyo which I purchased from AOI. They said I needed to polish it in several years, but that came in very fast.

[Shryke]

This is my only experiecne.

Even if the surface looked flat with your naked eyes, you might find very small spots of rust with a magnifying glass.

 

I actually went over the spots with a relatively small maginifying glass, as well as a toothpick. They are as smooth as the surrounding areas.

 

That being said, do you suggest that I send the sword for polish? It came in nice polish when I purchased it (at least, it is ncie to me). Or can I simply keep the sword well oiled and not worry about it? A $3k polish would be a significant expense at this time.

 

Daniel F

 

edit: Patient Uchiko will not rectify this issue, I assume?

[Mark Farrar]

I have had a sword with a few tiny spots of rust on for years and it hasnt got any worse. I just keep it well oiled. I dont think uchiko will remove it no matter how vigorously applied.

[nagamaki - Franco]

I actually went over the spots with a relatively small maginifying glass, as well as a toothpick. They are as smooth as the surrounding areas.

 

That being said, do you suggest that I send the sword for polish? ....... Or can I simply keep the sword well oiled and not worry about it?

Daniel F

 

edit: Patient Uchiko will not rectify this issue, I assume?

 

First things first, ID what these spots are, or are not. Images

 

In general, the problem with pinhole rust, if active, is it will progress unseen beneath the surface.

 

Pinholes are generally taken care of in the regular course of polishing, but a good polisher will not unecessarily remove metal just to remove a deep pinhole. Some polishers seal any remaining pinholes with lacquer.

 

For now you can oil the sword or just spot oil the areas in question, if it's a concern. Don't over oil, it will only pool up and soak into the saya.

 

 

 

fd

[Shryke]

I actually went over the spots with a relatively small maginifying glass, as well as a toothpick. They are as smooth as the surrounding areas.

 

That being said, do you suggest that I send the sword for polish? ....... Or can I simply keep the sword well oiled and not worry about it?

Daniel F

 

edit: Patient Uchiko will not rectify this issue, I assume?

 

First things first, ID what these spots are, or are not. Images

 

In general, the problem with pinhole rust, if active, is it will progress unseen beneath the surface.

 

Pinholes are generally taken care of in the regular course of polishing, but a good polisher will not unecessarily remove metal just to remove a deep pinhole. Some polishers seal any remaining pinholes with lacquer.

 

For now you can oil the sword or just spot oil the areas in question, if it's a concern. Don't over oil, it will only pool up and soak into the saya.

 

 

 

fd

 

Most informative, thank you. I am still trying to get a picture of the spots. I am convinced the laquering over has occurred. Is this a serious "problem" for the blade?

[nagamaki - Franco]

If a pinhole is left unattended and allowed to progress, at some point, usually the next polish, the cavity will open up into a crevice.

 

With proper sword care and vigilance, pinholes are nothing to lose sleep over

 

fd

[Shryke]

And it will progress if laminated over and well oiled?