How to Care for Expensive Samurai Swords

Keep your sword away from humid environments. Every point of contact is a potential place for water to condense. If rust develops on your blade, you should clean it off as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the deeper the rust will pit your sword. If you clean it quickly then you can usually restore the original polish.
Wooden handles may be treated with a light coating of lemon oil or tung oil to help prevent cracking.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
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   Use a sheet of harai gami or erufu to remove oil and debris from the blade. Hold the sharp edge away from you while working on the blade.
   A good sword cleaning kit is available at FXCollectibles.com

2. 
    
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   Tap the uchiko lightly against the blade. Continue tapping to the tip of the blade.

3. 
    
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   After powdering the blade, use a clean harai gami or erufu to polish the blade in a circular motion. Repeat until the powder dissolves

4. 
    
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   Repeat steps 1-3 for the other side of the blade.

5. 
    
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   Apply a few drops of oil along each side of the blade and use a piece of harai gami or erufu to spread the oil evenly over the blade.

6. Do not touch the blade before resheathing as the oils on your hand will promote rusting on the blade.

Resources

• FXCollectibles.com Sword Cleaning Kit & Swords