Cleaning a brand new shinsakuto

[piryohae3]

I read Darcy's articles about the evils of uchiko and the benefits of using microfiber cloth. I saw on every togishi video, mukansa or not, that they always use uchiko on swords be it antique or a brand new shinsakuto. Suppose I just received a freshly made shinsakuto. Should I assume that there is still uchiko on it? If there is then should I dispose of the microfiber cloth after wiping off the uchiko?. Can that be washed off in the washing machine?

[Brian]

Uchiko is a powder. A wipe or 2, and it is gone. It is not left on the blade. You are thinking of choji which is oil.

[David Flynn]

Only traditionalists use Uchiko on polished or very clean swords.  Most now use Micro fibre and Isopropyl 100%.  Uchiko is crushed stone, so it's abrasive and can eventually dull the features

[nagamaki - Franco]

1.  A Microdear cloth with anhydrous 99% + Isopropyl alcohol is the way to go, especially on polished swords or swords in good condition.

 

2. A Microdear cloth can be washed, use a fragrance free baking soda based detergent. I use Arm and Hammer.

 

3. If using uchiko, wipe only once and in one direction. Uchiko can and will scratch if not used absolutely properly! And while many of these scratches are too fine to see under normal conditions, a very bright light and especially a quartz light will leave many sword owners regretting ever having used uchiko. 

 

4. Care instructions should have been given with the sword. 

[w.y.chan]

I'm almost certain the uchiko ball from Fujishiro are not made from uchigumori stone but powdered deer horn and less likely to scratch the blade.