acasubtime

I understand what your saying, and I also understand that not just blood can cause luminol to "light", but based on what I've seen and the scrapings that I took, I can tell you for certain it is not rust, and I have seen aged blood before, and that I was 99% sure prior to the luminol test. Thanks though. Jesse

I agree! So to get the blade completely clean... I am still curious is the 100% vol. alcohol the same as rubbing alcohol? Also, another post recommended Opps cleaner... I cannot find this anywhere online only a cleaner called Oops? Is it possible that oops is correct? Thanks, Jesse

By 100% Vol. Alcohol are you talking about rubbing alcohol or something different? After cleaning the blade with the alcohol what is the best anti rust oil I should lightly apply? Thanks so much for the information! I am thinking the blood on the blade is from when a Japanese officer was using this sword in WW2, there is a gunto tsuba on the sword now.

I can't see any visible blood on the handle, primarily the blade has blood stains here and there. My grandfather who has now passed gave me this sword that he had brought back from Japan during the war. When I first recieved it, I asked him about the substances on the sword. He said that when he obtained the sword that was already on the blade, he never packed it in cosmoline or anything else for that matter. I am probably going to scrape more of the blood off and put into a vial for keepsake. I want to then bring the blade back to clean, it is in great shape for an old sword. doesn't look to have any rust and is still razor sharp.

I finally had time to carefully scrape some of the different deposits off from my authentic B.O.S. sword. Most of the deposits were a sticky substance with what looked like small bamboo fibers mixed in..... but some of the others looked exactly like dried blood. I tested all the samples with Luminol for blood. 3 of the smallest scrapings glowed with signs of blood. I was very interested to find out if I was correct about the blood, but now I feel I need to clean the blade free of all stains and deposits. What is the best method or substance I should use to clean the blade without causing any damage? Thanks, Jesse

What time period would that fall into? Also any idea on the tsuba? It has two characters very clear. I believe the sword has dried blood on the blade, is this unusual? Any other thoughts on the mei of the sword or is that the consensus? thank you so much for the help on this! Jesse

what would that stand for? date/sword maker?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46367437@N08/4253626015/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/46367437@N08/4253532133/ Trying the links to the pictures again. Thanks. [/url]

Great info! I will take pictures with the talc and post soon. Not sure where you can get a raking light? Thanks for the help!

I have an authentic sword. The blade is in excellent shape. I removed the handle and could barely make out what was left of the mei. Is there anything I can do to help bring out what's left of the characters. I lightly rubbed some of the rust off with a paper towel and a small plastic brush, which did help slightly... but any ideas or help would be great. I do not want to damage the sword, but at the same time I will never part with this sword, so value does not matter to me, I would love to know its history. thanks.