Kaz S

Efficacy of Rust Preventatives on Carbon Steel 5x1 foot carbon steel rods will be left in an uncontrolled environment for a period of time (my garage, until I decide it's done). 4 will be treated with different rust preventatives and 1 will be left untreated. Before applying the rust preventative, all rods will be cleaned with Ballistol, scrubbed lightly to remove any pre-existing corrosion, and then cleaned again with mineral spirits to remove any remaining contaminants. Rods will be held vertically by a plank of wood. The specifications of the steel rods are as follows: Unpolished carbon steel 3/8"x1', 1018 alloy The rust preventatives to be used are as follows: CosmolineDirect RP-342 (https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/cosmoline-rp-342-heavy-spray-military-grade-rust-preventive/) Ballistol Universal Oil (https://ballistol.com/) Birchwood Casey RIG (https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/products/rig-universal-gun-grease-12-oz-jar.html) Choji Oil (Generic Amazon brand) All compounds will be applied as per the manufacturers instructions. At arbitrary intervals (whenever I decide to look), the rods will be examined for the appearance of rust/corrosion. At the conclusion of the experiment, all rods will be cleaned on their preservatives and compared for colour change and corrosion formation.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I don't think seeking knowledge is ever a waste of time.

That is absolutely true and is probably another nail in the coffin. I'm interested in testing the boundaries of what is "true". There are so many things that are true until they are not. When the experiment is finished, I can say "This is -confirmed- true because here are the pictures and here is the evidence." So far I have 3 first hand accounts of Cosmoline on Gunto blades: 2 say it did not stain and 1 says it does. I was hoping for unanimity. I absolutely would carry out a study of animal fat on Nihonto if I could get an appropriate, unsalvagable piece. Or cooking oil. Or anything. What if it's better? For what it's worth I'm not currently putting Cosmoline on any of my blades. They're all safely Choji oiled in the recommended way.

Thank you for your response Dan! I would love a junker blade. Unfortunately the eBay Monkey is charging a premium for his junk In the mean time I've ordered carbon steel rods that will be stand-ins.

3 owners of nihonto that they received in cosmoline have replied to my PMs. Their responses are summarized as follows: #1 - Reports that cosmoline can slightly yellow a blade and can dry out, causing the blade to get stuck in the scabbard. #2 - Reports that the cosmoline had no staining effect on the blade. #3 - Reports that the cosmoline was on the blade for 65 years and had no staining effect. Provided pictures showing the blade covered in cosmoline, then with the cosmoline removed. Is it possible that the yellowing or staining effect is a result of incomplete removals?

I'm sure that carbon steel will yield a similar result but I'll never be 100% sure. I've already ordered 10 rods that will be guinea pigs for a number of experiments, including the cosmoline test. I believe all of you when you say not to use it. I want to see the effect in action first hand at this point.

So that I can put the modern formulation of Cosmoline on it and see how badly it stains.

Looking for a junky blade in almost any condition, except fully rusted out. It can be snapped in half, cracked, scratched, without any mounts, poorly polished, anything! Let me know what you've got!

Thank you. I've reached out to several of those guys. I'm still very curious to see for myself though. I'm on a quest for a junk blade. Absolutely it would be cheaper but nothing beats using the real thing.

That is a fatal problem. Does anyone have a very cheap blade they would like to sell me, in the name of science? Broken, cracked, corroded, all of the above

The Type 95 is entirely unremarkable. Not sure why you have referred to it in quotation marks either. I have choji oil or Renaissance Wax applied to my other gunto. I'd reckon there are benefits: -apply it once and it will protect for many years -you can handle the item without worrying about removing the protective layer This is the thing I would be worried about. I've seen this mentioned before but never seen proof of it. Respectfully, does proof exist or is this ancient lore that has crossed over from feeling to fact?

Hello NMB, I'm toying with the idea of coating the blade and habaki of one of my wooden handle Type 95s in Cosmoline (https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/cosmoline-rp-342-heavy-spray-military-grade-rust-preventive/) and leaving it for a year (or 2 or 3) to see what becomes of it. I suspect it will be an excellent rust preventative with no downside. Anybody have any contrary opinions? To head off some potential outrage: This is a Showato Type 95, not Koto masterpiece or anything.

Just saying this thread has motivated me to make a small contribution.

I'll take it. Check PMs.

I absolutely love this piece. Amazing.