Sword Cleaning/maintenance Supplies

[Prewar70]

Any recommendations on where to purchase here in the states?  Thanks

[Marius]

Bob Benson: 

http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/sword-maintance-supplies.html

 

His uchiko is real uchiko and not some powder as in those cheap sets you get on eBay. And it comes with instruction how to use it.

[ggil]

I agree, get uchiko from a real polisher instead of China. It's amazing that The Chinese crap costs anything, when a trained polisher actually going to the trouble of drying their fingerstone water then sifting it, costs relatively little.

[b.hennick]

Or just buy a microfiber cloth.

[w.y.chan]

I would advise against uchiko use on a polish blade. Recommend alcohol and microfibre.

The only safe "uchiko" I would use are the ones from Fujishiro which I believe are powedered horn. Real uchiko are stones no matter how fine will still harm the polish.

 

 

Wah

[Greg F]

I agree with Barry and Wah, not only does uchiko gradually scratch a blade in polish but if you dont remove every little speck of uchiko it can build up in the saya and over time scratch the blade and can attract moisture that can cause rust. If you use uchiko while the habaki is still on the powder can get trapped under the habaki and then can fall onto the blade or into the saya. Uchiko just isnt worth using on a blade in polish imho. All the best.

 

Greg

[nagamaki - Franco]

Microdear Microfiber Deluxe Cleaning Cloth

 

http://www.amazon.com/Microdear-Microfiber-Deluxe-Cleaning-Cloth/dp/B0002E3WGI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

[Darcy]

You guys make me weep with joy for your anti-uchiko stance. There is hope!!!

[Greg F]

Darcy my anti-uchiko stance is thanks to you and my mate BaZZa so thank you. Cheers.

 

Greg

[SwordGuyJoe]

I no longer use uchiko due to the few conversations on the topic here.

[Prewar70]

Here's a thought, what about using uchiko on an unpolished blade, to give it a light polish and perhaps over time, especially if you did it frequently, the process might enhance it?

[Stephen]

Its just fine if its out of polish

[SwordGuyJoe]

Its just fine if its out of polish

Agreed

[ggil]

I only have the stuff to use to make up a lapping compound, but if your going to get some at least from a REAL source. I agree, uchiko on a polished blade is a good way to undo the polisher's fingerstone work, put a bunch of light scratches down the blade , and of course make it harder to study. I am also learning that blades dont need oil either, but rather need to be clean and dry. This last one is hard for me to accept, with my days of maintaining electrical devices and the gains realized with anti-corrosion grease, over time. I may never be able to swallow the last idea, and my blades may forever have a nasty oil sheen on them, and all my sayas full of crud.

[b.hennick]

The idea is to use a minimal amount of oil.