Advice for New Tantō Owner?

[Big Jimp]

Hello all, I’m a new member and this shall be my inaugural post.

 

After some saving and as a university graduation present to myself, I have acquired a tantō signed “保則 (Yasunori)” and attributed to gendai smith Motomura Yasuhiro by Mr. Tsuruta of Aoi Art.

 

The blade is in decent condition and original polish, I had a shirasaya and tsunagi made for it while I awaited the export permit. Currently, I have the koshirae in a sword bag in a wooden drawer of my china cabinet and the tantō in shirasaya in a sword bag, cutting edge facing up, in a watertight box with foam internal structuring. 
 

Are these acceptable storage practices? Additionally how frequently should I oil the blade to keep it preserved? I have been removing the old oil with alcohol and applying new oil once to twice a week (once weekly and when I unsheathe it) for the three weeks that I’ve had it, since I live in a very humid environment. Is this acceptable? I have attached images both for storage reference and to show the tantō.

 

 

Thank you in advance

 

,James O.

[Katsujinken]

Hi James,

 

Congratulations, it’s a fine piece.
 

With a proper shirasaya you can clean and re-oil a blade about twice a year and be just fine. Of course if you want to study the blade you can do the same procedure. This is sufficient even in a humid climate (Japan is quite humid after all). Oil and shirasaya are old technologies, but they work very well as far as creating and maintaining microclimates go.  
 

Enjoy!

[Michaelr]

  Very nice

  MikeR

[Soshin]

The storage of the tanto looks fine to me. I generally like to inspect and oil my blades at minimum four times a year as the seasons change. If I examine the sword or show someone the sword I will clean off old oil and reoil the blade before putting it away. Where I live the temperature and humidity levels change with the seasons.