Removing Active Rust on Nakago

[CoastieMike]

Trying to find the safest way to remove active rust on nakago. I recently purchased this shinsakuto katana from police auction in Japan. Trying to not damage nakago/signature.Thank you

 

 

 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Mike, find a small piece of ivory (broken piano key), & gently scrape at that. In between, a small amount of choji oil won't hurt, really.

[Alex A]

As its a modern blade,

 

I would just get a rag and some oil, a gun oil with a rust inhibitor

 

Wipe it down gently for a good good while.

 

Where its deeper i would use a soft toothbrush at first, then use some 0000 steel wool with some oil on it.

 

Undesirable, especially on a modern blade, your going to be left with some marks and staining, but at least will end up stable.

 

DO NOT splash the blade, keep it covered

 

Then keep an eye on it

[b.hennick]

I would not use steel wool on any sword at any time.

[Alex A]

Hi Barry, its very fine and if used with oil and being very gentle it will not harm patina, not that patina is important in this particular case.

 

This sword being a new sword with active rust

[b.hennick]

My fear is that a person uses 0000 Steel wool and it is too slow for them so they use a coarser type then coarser still. I would rather that no steel wool is used. Many do not have a lot of patience. You can't easily undo the results of people trying to improve their blades. I have seen too much damage in my time collecting blades. I started in 1976. So I probably have seen more damage than you.

[Alex A]

Fair point Barry, would hope no one take a overzealous approach with anything like this, but you never know.

[Surfson]

You can also use a piece of antler horn if you don't have ivory available.  Antler's are plentiful in Japan, I would guess, and have few uses.

[ChrisW]

I agree with Robert here, get some antler to use.