Kaz S

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?

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 absolutely love this piece. Amazing.

Reproduction shin gunto unless I'm badly mistaken. Sold for $3250+ with fees and tax. https://www.icollector.com/item.aspx?i=40798527

Here is an updated picture! I flipped the horizontal orientation of everything, wrapped all the metal hooks in teflon tape, added a tassel to a Type 98, removed a Type 95 wood handle from the display and added a "Type 3"! Hope you all like it.

Indeed yes I have posted that one before!

Thank you! I will reverse all their positions so the tsuka is on the left and make sure they don't get damaged by the hooks

I agree that would look pretty cool. However I'm conflicted about displaying political artifacts. This is purely a subjective distinction, but I display the weapons of the period because I appreciate the craftsmanship and history but displaying war flags I feel is... uncomfortable.

I believe you do. Would that not cause the cloth to absorb the anti-corrosion agent off the blade? The Choji oil in the case of the Mantetsu or the Ren Wax?

NMB for your viewing pleasure I present my Shin Gunto collection. All the blades except for the Mantetsu in the middle are coated with Renaissance Wax. Any suggestions on what type/model I should be looking for next? Any suggestions for displaying the saya better? I'm rather limited by space.

Thank you. I agree, the blade is not looking good. The price I paid reflects this though. In a way, I like the corrosion, pitting, patina etc. on wartime items. It gives me a feeling of respect for the age of the thing.

Good afternoon wise NMB. I come to you today after having spent many hours trawling these boards and others for answers. Please find below pictures of what I suspect is either: Zuohei-to (http://ohmura-study.net/206.html) Murata-to (http://ohmura-study.net/911.html) A reproduction I cannot make out anything on the nakago, as it is fairly corroded. The tsuba, seppa and fuchi all have a 3 digit number on them (140. If I saw this on a Japanese rifle I'd say it's an assembly number). Please share your thoughts, I would very much appreciate them! Please advise of any other/clearer pictures you'd like.