Removing hardened oil?

[SwordGuyJoe]

All,

Stupid question - well maybe more to the point, someone else is stupid and I have to fix it. Someone let oil harden between the blade and the habaki. How do I remove the oil without damaging the blade? Thanks!

[John A Stuart]

I use white gas, (naphtha) to remove gunked oil and cosmoline etc. and have never had any discolouration after the post dry residue is removed. Put some in a container and soak a bit and give it a couple of tries until it frees up. Why white gas? It has no additives that would increase the toxicity. Outside of course. This strips all oils and as soon as possible the blade must be cleaned and oiled. Oh, and don't smoke while doing it if that is your proclivity. John

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Joe,

I've always used sword (clove) oil to soften old cosmoline on swords; maybe it would work on old oil as well. If not, you could try some alcohol, but make sure to thoroughly clean up the alcohol after use because it usually has picked up water from humid air. If neither of these solutions work you might need professional (polisher) help. Whatever you do, don't use anything the least bit abrasive.

Grey