A couple of tsuba questions...

[Kevin Adams]

Hi all, I was hoping to tap into the collective wisdom of the board with a couple of questions...

 

I was given this tsuba to mount on my sensei's sword and was wondering how best to clean it up...there a few greenish stains visible in the lefthand picture and I am trying to figure out a gentle way to remove them, brighten up the gold/brass inlays while preserving the patina...a tall order, I know

 

Also, can anyone tell me anything about this tsuba i.e. is it anything of note? I'm not very knowledgeable about tosogu, but there seems to be a certain level of craftsmanship in the inlay, even though most of it has come loose and disappeared..

 

Thanks everyone!

[AndreasU]

I don't know if this is the best way but if you do a search for Tumbler or use this link: http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/616153

I think this is a very safe way to get it cleaned.

Some cheap ones can be found for around 70 US$ at ebay.The grain used should be "walnut shell" or corn cob. Never use silzium carbide!!!!!!!!

 

It is very soft, softer than brass and iron but is harder than oxyde and rust. So it will "wipe" off the rust and Oxyde but will not "polish" the Iron and brass. The result will look like a very fine laquered iron with patina. It will not remove the patina. These tumblers are used for bullet casings to clean them and to get away the gunpowder remains. You can imagine yourself that these precision casings are very delicate to handle and that every abrasive "polishing" will be dangerous.

 

The other methods are using wood sticks or bones to clean but these things are much more harder to use as you can very easily damage the inlays by using to much pressure.

 

 

I am sure that a lot of antique resellers are using these tumbler but of course will say that it was used by hand with bones and wood and sympathie and spirit and.............

 

Andreas

[nagamaki - Franco]

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/tsuba/tsubacln.htm

[Grey Doffin]

I don't think I'd try the tumbler. I'd be afraid I'd lose more of the brass and also that it might shine the brass a bit. Actually, I think I'd leave the tsuba alone; I like it the way it is.

Grey

[Brian]

I'm with Grey on this one. Having used tumblers for reloading before, I think that there is a huge risk of damage and overpolishing.

I also like it as is. Might consider the ivory method for a bit of the rust) but I wouldn't do any more than that. The patina on the brass is important and shouldn't be touched.

The rule with tsuba should always be: "when in doubt, leave it alone"

 

Brian