cleaning a grubby tsuka

[loiner1965]

is it best left alone or could i use a tooth brush with a bit of woolite and warm water and damping off with a cloth etc.....your thoughts

[Grey Doffin]

I think it would help if we could see some pictures before we have to pontificate of the merits or otherwise of cleaning your tsuka.

Grey

[loiner1965]

sorry for the poor quality but if i use my canon digital it tends to ruffle brians feathers

[Stephen]

IMHO gunto tsuka that show signs of carry should be left alone, if it really bothers id have it rewraped.

[dhusker]

I have a 1943 and I wouldn't trade one nick or one inch of the tsuka that shows heavy wear for your sword. As Stephen says......it's the history! Seriously, I would not clean it....but that is just the retired history teacher in me speaking.

 

S

[Grey Doffin]

Steve,

If you're concerned about preserving value you should leave it alone. Militaria collectors want original condition, not cleaned.

I doubt that cleaning would make all that much difference any way. The ito would be a bit cleaner but it would also have a different patina, not necessarily one you'll be happy with. It could also suffer damage from being wet.

An old girl friend who is a fiber artist once told me that Woolite is 10% plain soap and 90% advertising; there are better soaps for cleaning fabric.

Grey

[loiner1965]

cheers for all the replies.....i will leave as original....many thanks lads