Military Gunto Preservation And Repairs... How Do You Guys Do It!?

[Reddawn27]

So the more I look into the world of Japanese sword collection.. In the military camp of collectors.. What is allowed and abosolutly not allowed in preserving your sword concerning two parts...how to deal with cracks or splits in wood sayas and the proper way to care for leather cover guntos. I happen to love the way they look but most are always sadly in poor condition. Now I've read some threads and it would seem that the proper way to preserve swords with cracked or splitting sayas is to use Rice glue for the wood repair. As for leather care .. This one seems tricky.. I've read were the use of Saddle soap is Ok as long is it dose not have mineral oil or vaseline in the mix. Now I know and understand those say thing should be left as is and I'm all on board with that..but at the same time preserving also means maintaining .. .. So would using saddle soap or the like qualify as proper matinace for leather WWII swords??

[b.hennick]

I have used Leather CPR on many leather things but not scabbard covers. It works very well. Another good product is Lexol. 

[Bruce Pennington]

I have an NCO tassle that I broke the strap by handling the dern thing too much! I glued the ends back together and I use a leather cream my wife bought for her coat! I don't know what's in it though. I've had people recommend common hand lotion/cream.

[lonely panet]

its expensive but "renaissance wax" is good, but also Waproo renovationg polish, it contains all natural waxs.

both are good for many reasons.

 

1, they don't change the colour of the leather

2, they don't make the leather soft and likely to tear, like saddle soap

3, and things like Dublin do long term damage by sealing the leather to the point of the internal leather drys from not being able to breath

 

I have found the leather in the nco tassels are time bombs, unless they are in excellent condition just move them on, to prevent heart ache watching them fall apart

[Johnny Barracuda]

For renovating and rejuvenating old military leather, I use neatsfoot oïl, a very traditional product. You apply it on old leather with a handbrush, let it be absorbed for 24 hours, then apply another layer. With three layers, your leather should be perfect, if only a bit darker.

 

It is traditionally used for saddles and leather straps and also for horse feet and hooves. Therefore it is readily available from horse gear shops. It is also very useful for long-unused shoes that may crack when put on. The only downside is regarding light coloured leather, which tends to become slightly darker, specially uncoloured tan leather. 

 

I used it on family military gear from WWI and it worked perfectly. Dry straps that would break like twigs became souple and sturdy anew.

[lonely panet]

iv never tried neatsfoot, thanks for the hint, iv got a leather sword bag that needs help. I will post pics of before and after

[Johnny Barracuda]

Neatsfoot oil should do the trick for NCO tassels, as it worked perfectly for my great-grandfather's bayonette strap.