John C Posted January 15, 2023 Report Posted January 15, 2023 Hello: I have a tsuka with old mud and dirt on it. While I know cleaning is generally frowned upon, I don't see the need to preserve the mud. I was wondering if anyone has cleaned their tsuka or ito wrap and if so, how? What are the best methods? I believe the ito wrap used to be white. Thank you, John C. Quote
b.hennick Posted January 15, 2023 Report Posted January 15, 2023 I have used a clean older toothbrush and foam soap that is scent free. Easy does it. Let the soap do the work rather than the brush. You do not want to damage the ito. 1 Quote
John C Posted January 15, 2023 Author Report Posted January 15, 2023 Thank you, Barry. I saw a similar technique used by the lady on "The Repair Shop" series. She just used the bubbles from the soap to clean something delicate. John C. Quote
b.hennick Posted January 16, 2023 Report Posted January 16, 2023 Foam soap comes in a bottle. You press the plunger and comes out. Dollartree sells it. 2 Quote
Matsunoki Posted January 16, 2023 Report Posted January 16, 2023 John, just a word of caution as Barry says you don’t want to damage the Ito. It is very easy to damage old Ito. Over time it deteriorates naturally and a toothbrush, even a soft one could probably cause fraying. The “mud” on yours does look a bit like ingrained grease from handling over the many years and if it is then that is really tough to shift. The areas where the Ito is twisted or in the knot high points are especially vulnerable.It’s so easy to end up wishing you’d never started….. speaking from experience! All the best. Colin 1 1 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 17, 2023 Report Posted January 17, 2023 I had a wakizashi with a nasty stain on the tsuka. After staring at it for a yer, I used my wife's jewelry steam cleaner to slowly & carefully remove it. When it dried, there was no sign of the stain, & no damage, either. Quote
John C Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Posted January 17, 2023 Thank all of you. Didn't think of steam. John C. Quote
John C Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 4 hours ago, 1kinko said: Just an FYI on how a master does it. Thanks. I'll take a look. Maybe the benzene helps break down the old varnish layer (?). Though I suspect the dirt is fairly recent given the seller. John C. Quote
b.hennick Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 Benzene is pretty dangerous stuff. Quote
John C Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 1 hour ago, b.hennick said: Benzene is pretty dangerous stuff. Agreed. Denatured alcohol works just as well on lacquer. John C. Quote
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