Nihonto Cleaning product question

[edzo]

Happy New Year to Members,

 

Dear Members,

I visited a new friend today at his home to feast on his art sword collection (30 years in the making). To me, it was impressive! He suggested I try this product, that he uses "Never-Dull" to clean up blades that he acquires. It comes in a tin and is in an impregnated batten form (swabs). I am reluctant to use anything (on a blade), without a consensus from experienced, and knowledgable input. Has anyone an opinion? His blades are pristine and include Koto and later. My impression is that it may be a good product and he demonstrated his technique to me. Any input will be appreciated, thank you in advance.

Ed F

[nagamaki - Franco]

Nevrdull is a product which should only be used sparingly on blades in very poor condition to begin with where the surface rust and grime are such that you cannot see much of anything anyway. It will not harm the steel and it will remove surface rust and heavy grime, but if overused, too much pressure, etc., it will obscure any activity you wish to bring out. When using nevrdull the wool pieces should be small and changed frequently so that you're not rubbing grime and rust into the surface of the blade. It should be used with much patience, rub and look, rub and look, wipe clean with kleenex frequently, so that you can see what you're doing. [Work in short lengthed sections at a time]. At the end of the sessions wipe thoroughly and go back to oil and uchiko. Again, NOT FOR POLISHED BLADES or CLEAN BLADES, only blades in very poor condition.

You say his blades are pristine using nevrdull, this makes no sense at all (at least to me), pristine in what sense, shiny like a chrome car bumper is what I suspect? Certainly not in a Japanese polish sense! When in doubt, don't use.

[Brian]

Exactly what Franco said. If you have a sword and can't see if it has a hamon at all, or is covered with patina, it can help get to the point where you can see if it is real and/or might have possibilities. If the sword is in even slightly good polish....don't use it. Not meant as a maintenance measure...more like accellerated uchiko to out of polish blades.

 

Brian

[edzo]

Dear Franco,

Thank you for your response and participation. Much of what you said was highlighted by J. He is interested in purchasing my collection, after having inspected it. I’m not sure that he uses this product on his best pieces, didn’t ask, but many of them have been recently polished and mounted professionally and don’t require cleaning. He showed them off-to me (a dozen or so, he is proud of them). He is very active and purchases at least 1 – 2 blades a month, in fact, he shared (with me), three collections that he acquired in whole. I’m concerned that I don’t damage a blade (with good intentions), should I attempt to clean them up myself, there are many.

[edzo]

Dear Brian,

Hoping u have a Happy and prosperous new year. Thank you for the response, I get it. I tend to be paranoid before i take any action because i appreciate the value of patina and other considerations. Preserve and Conserve! Ed F

[nagamaki - Franco]

should I attempt to clean them up myself, there are many.

 

Sorry, without seeing the blades cannot suggest or advise, again, when in doubt, don't. Another word about nevrdull, it's best to use hand protection like a surgeons glove or similar. Also, be extra careful not to slice yourself, because even out of polish swords regardless of condition are capable of hand and finger cuts requiring stitches before you even realize what's happened. And if rusty and grimy, you're looking at a tetanus shot.

[edzo]

Dear Frnco,

J has advised me that he only conducts this process with surgical cloves and is cautious. Thank you very much for your input, i have more of a comfort zone with his and your advice! Ed F

[runagmc]

You may already know this, but I'll say it anyway. NEVER CLEAN THE NAKAGO...LEAVE IT ALONE...