Humid vs. Arid conditions

[Justin Grant]

Humid vs. Arid conditions

 

I live in the Midwestern US. During the summer, we have a very humid environment, reaching 90+%, and in the winter months, it gets very dry, to the point, doors shrink in the frames… Wood floors start to make awful noises, and noses crack and bleed.

 

With these wonderful conditions, how would one go about preserving the investment in Nihonto? I oil the blades, but am concerned about the disparate climate conditions the saya, tsuka, and other fittings experience.

 

Short of building a very large humidor and putting the items inside like neatly packed cigars, what do others do to ensure the preservation of the wood based items? I would hate to see these things shrink and crack after a few years.

 

Thanks

 

Justin

[huntershooter]

Good question. I also live in the midwest (USA) and humidity variance is extreme; 70+% in summer to 10% in winter. Common for sayas/tsukas to split with those extremes.

I've installed a commercial grade dehumidifier in my home and out building (where the gunsafes are located). Maintaing a constant 20-30% humidity has helped a great deal.

[loui]

If you keep them in safes you can always go to an electronics/computer store and ask for the large bags of desiccant - throw them in your safes and it will help. You can dry them out (desiccant) in the oven when the wife isn't home as well.

 

Humidity of 20-30 percent is dry enough, any dryer and things will start to dry out.

 

Louis

[Curgan]

BTW, as I am thinking of setting up a humidifier/dehumidifier system in a room (35m2), which model and configuration would you suggest?

[ububob]

John, for a room that size you buy a satisfactory unit at your local drugstore. I am fortunate living near the coast where it is rare to have humidity greater than 40%-50%.

[Curgan]

It might sound dump but anyway... are there units that can handle both tasks?

[IanB]

Don't forget guys that the lacquer on the saya and any textiles need around 60% humidity to remain sound. I can envision blades almost permanently locked in shirasaya if you overdo the de-humidification.

Ian Bottomley

[Stephen]

live in the same mid west, very rarely take my swords out and wave them around in the air, I get no rust with a very very light coat of oil. my take is they (sword and koshirae) need to breath, there keep in the corner of the living room out of sunlight and we get along quite well.

[moss]

Hello all,

 

I'm with Stephen on storing in a non artificial climate.

 

Today (Winter) 62% and 25C(77F)

In the summer the humidity goes through the roof along with the temp. (and tempers)90% > and 40C>

Only once I had a rust issue when a piece of paper was found inside the saya and holding the moisture to the blade.

 

 

And no we don't have air-con in my house just open up the windows and catch the breeze.

 

 

I actually enjoy the process of occasionally cleaning and oiling.

It is a good oportunity for a relax and a cold beer.

 

On that note

Cheers

Moss

[johnb]

I lived in Sydney for years where the humidity is around 70% plus. Then Jakarta for 5 years...very humid and now Singapore for over 6 months where the humidity is 80% plus.

 

I have around 20 swords all stored in an old English chest of drawers. They are cleaned an oil...probably not as often as they should be. Not a spot of rust to be seen.

 

I'm all for a good circulation of air.