Menuki Cleaning

[william m]

I have recently taken this pair of menuki from a wakizashi I plan to re-wrap.

The menuki have some kind of staining/oxidisation, which is coming though as a kind of light green. I have tried detergent and a toothbrush but has had little effect so far.

Any other methods I could use?

 

Thanks!

William

 

[Ford Hallam]

Hello William,

 

the green deposit is verdigris, it's a natural copper corrosion product on copper alloys. In this case it's nothing to be alarmed about, the process on these sorts of alloys ( unlike some bronzes )is very slow, and mild. I'd suggest nothing more than a delicate rub with a damp toothpick. Once you're happy with the amount you've managed to eliminate rinse it in warm water and a little fairy liquid, the clean water, dry and then warm them with a hair-dryer until too hot to hold ( wear thick cotton gloves ). Now you can very sparingly wipe on some renaissance wax with an ear bud. As they cool wipe off as much of the excess wax as you can using a clean ear bud and then gently rub to a soft sheen using clean kitchen paper towel.

 

Hope that's of some help.

 

regards, Ford

[william m]

Fantastic, I will try that as soon as I find some toothpicks.

Thank you very much!

 

Regards,

William