How to Make Your Own Sword-Cleaning Kit
Maintaining a collection of swords to display with pride requires attention to many details. While there are many different types of swords, there is one constant: proper, timely cleaning of swords is essential. In order to do this, the right tools must be at hand to complete the task. A variety of kits are available for purchase but it is simple to create your own kit. All of the items can be found at online merchants and at local hobby shops.
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Things You'll Need
- 1 bottle Japanese choji oil (or a light mineral oil)
- 2 lint-free, soft white cotton cloths or rice paper
- 1 powder ball
- 1 small container for storing items
- Newspapers
Instructions
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Purchase one bottle of Japanese choji oil. This is a traditional oil used for cleaning blades appropriately. A light mineral oil is a satisfactory substitute, but for the true enthusiast the choji oil is a must for any sword cleaning kit. Choji oil can be found at any website or hobby store that deals in cutlery.
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Add two soft white cotton cloths to your kit. These cloths are essential and should always be the lint-free type. Rice paper is a traditional accessory for the sword-cleaning kit; however, cotton cloths are not only acceptable, they also are preferred by some people. Use them to clean the oil off the blade.
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Obtain a powder ball and add it to your kit. These are available at hobby stores or websites that deal in cutlery. This is a handy tool used for applying a small amount of powder to the blade that is removed with the soft cloth.
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Complete your kit with a small container for storing your items. A pre-assembled kit will always include a small wooden box, but you can use any number of items in its place, such as a plastic box from a dollar store or a sturdy shoebox.
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Gather a few discarded newspapers to keep on hand for use with your kit. They will come in handy as a drip guard for the oil when you do the actual sword cleaning.
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Tips & Warnings
Japanese choji oil is composed of 99 percent mineral oil and 1 percent clove oil. The clove oil is included to prevent rusting and for mild fragrance.
Clean your blades on the average at monthly intervals, but more often if handled frequently.
Do not use pure clove oil purchased from a drugstore as it can rust the blade.
Use extreme caution while cleaning your sword because the blade may slip.
Avoid dismantling your sword for cleaning as this may cause the blade to develop a loose grip as the pins wear.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
