Jesse Luddington

I love this idea, and thought about doing that right after I had cleaned my blades. It's just good documentation, and it can let you know that you're doing well, which is a huge relief. I think it's important to feel that way because of the historical and artistic nature of the blades, it really is a stewardship. So it is beneficial to feel that responsibility. Thanks for the great advice. And I'm sure that mark was there before you received the sword as it sounds like you maintain them very well!

Alan, thank you so much for the advice! It is comforting that you think the rust development prior to my receiving the blade. I also agree that it was most likely developed in a small flaw of the blade, as it appears to be in a small fold/pit of the steel. Now that it is in my care I'll do my very best to fix the issue and maintain it. I will use some bone and carefully try to remove it. Also good point on not letting the rest drag across the blade! I hadn't thought of that. I think my environment is a good environment to eliminate the ingredients for rust, so I'm happy about that. Thanks again, the things I've learned from this forum are so valuable to me

That was definitely a good lesson for me to see that little fleck of rust. It just reinforces to me the importance of adhering to all the small details of care that add up. Glad to learn this so early in my collecting and on a nihonto that isn't papered or anything. I definitely will contact a togishi and see what they say. Thanks again for the advice, you all have incredible knowledge of something that most people would have no clue about, so I'm grateful for the knowledge and help.

Thanks so much for your help! I have some antler available to me and will give that a try. It definitely is a well polished blade otherwise, so that's my best bet. If I could just get that fleck off I'd be so relieved

Hahaha I know I was thinking the same thing. Since opening it (which was when I saw the spot) I have properly maintained it. I just couldn't get to opening it right away and then there is a small spot. I wonder if they ever open them in customs or something. It was just so well oiled when I received it but still had the spot

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I have only been using pure mineral oil as I'm afraid of additives, but I think a rust inhibitor of some kind would be beneficial

Would oiling it stabilize the rust? I've cleaned it and left a light layer of oil on it. I'm not sure if that is the best way to stabilize it

Thank you so much for your reply, it's very comforting to me! That's a perfect way to describe owning a nihonto for me, a mantle of custodian. I know it will survive generations after I am gone, so I want to do my best to keep them beautiful and preserved. I certainly do do my best to maintain them and respect them.

That is wonderful advice and thank you! I'm sure it is stabilized, and I have yet to try the antler or bone method, but have heard it works good. As for a Togishi my best bet is probably a few states away haha

I had read about that even before collecting, and I'm fortunate that my friend is a dentist, so he has given me boxes of masks to wear while cleaning and examining my sword, which I have always worn. It's one of those things I hate trying to explain to people if showing my nihonto because they don't understand how easily rust can form

Thank you for your reply, it's comforting to know that even very experienced collectors have some things that might bug them. But I'm grateful for all your experience that has been recorded on this forum, because it has been such a source of knowledge for me even long before I even acquired my first nihonto. So thank you!

I recently purchased a modern (made in 2013) nihonto wakazashi from AOI art Japan. It had just been delivered when I had a family tragedy that I had to go home for, so I never even opened the package. About a month later of taking care of family stuff I finally got home and took out the wakazashi to clean and oil it. It has a very small fleck of brown rust (maybe red) just above the habaki. The blade was nicely oiled, on shirasaya, and tightly wrapped in bubble wrap in a sealed package. It makes me wonder if it was there before, during, or after transit. I guess this is more of a question type of post, but do any of you ever have a feeling of failure or shame if something similar has happened to you? I just feel sick that it was probably me not opening the package in time that caused a flake of rust, like I don't deserve the responsibility of caring for these swords. I have 4 other nihonto and have had them for almost 2 years. I have always maintained them and they are as beautiful now as when I got them. But this one speck of rust just makes me feel so bad. Anyway, I appreciate all of the information and input on this forum. I don't post often but love this forum. I attached some pics of the blade for reference.

I have come across this, and I think it makes sense. They certainly know about keeping nihonto safe, and I'm sure that over the course of the life of the sword the nakago has probably been oiled. Thank you for your help, I appreciate so much wisdom in a message board on such an interesting topic

I also have read this, and I think it makes sense. After so many years of being handled it has had so many layers of rust stabilize from just the natural oils on hands. So I'll just handle it as normal and I think it should be fine. I appreciate your help!

Awesome, and thank you! I also thought that it was interesting as well. Sorry for the late reply, I've been figuring this message board out. Again, thanks for your thoughts! It helps me not worry about a treasure of mine

I am a little confused on where the nakago actually ends. It appears to me that the area under the habaki could either be a part of the blade or nakago. Do you oil in this section? Thanks for thr help!

Hello, I recently purchased my first nihonto. I can see that the mei has a little bit of red rust. In no way do I want to oil or clean the nakago, however I am anxious about it being an issue. Is this amount of rust on the pictures included something of concern? I don't want to lightly oil it, however I want it to be stabilized. I do not know how long that takes and if it's OK to just leave it for now. Thank you for any help!