Appearance Of Copper Inlays?

[Andi B.]

Hello,

I want to protect some of my tsuba with Reaissance Wax. But before applying I would like to know, how e.g. copper inlays should actually look like. Below octopus is relatively dark at the moment.

Should it be slightly cleaned before to look a little bit more vivid?

[kissakai]

Be nice to see both sides of the whole tsuba

[Andi B.]

Here they are:

[Andi B.]

I think it's shibuichi...

[TETSUGENDO]

Andi,

 

The best thing YOU can do is to wash it with mild soap and water, a very soft brush,  and dry it with a clean soft cloth.....gently pat dry and do not rub.  Leave it as is, do not handle with bare hands, no wax, and the patina should appreciably improve in time.  When the piece looks pleasing to you wax it. I have included a photo of naturally aged properly patinated copper, it should have no raw metalic appearance at all. Does appear to be shibuichi with gold, copper, silver, and shakudo.

[Andi B.]

That's why I ask...

Wax will “freeze“ the appearance so I want to find the intended balance of luster and copper patina before applying.

 

Will shibuichi also naturally age?

I think, shibuichi is artifically patinated and so it can be preserved but not restored...(?)

[kissakai]

Andy

Look up shibuichi and you find some good references - Nice tsuba and one I'd like to own

 

 

Grev

[TETSUGENDO]

Andi,

 

All the metals are artifically patinated and clean shibuichi should improve in time.

 

-S-