Rusty Nakago Question

[Conway S]

Greetings, 

 

I am hoping for advice on removing light red rust from the nakago without altering the patina. The rust spots don't show up the best in the picture, but the areas in question are next to the 尾 and from 泰 down. I know the rust removal question has been raised many times before, but I just want to double check before I make any preservation missteps. Thanks. 

 

Conway 

 

  

[NewB]

I wouldn't do that personally 

Maybe ,if others agree, just lightly oil the nakago with pure choji oil without rubbing or scrubbing.

 

Anything else devalues the blade as I was told

 

J.

[Brian]

Leave it. Nothing to worry about. I would put a drop or 2 of oil on my thumb and rub it over the nakago occasionally to prevent further rusting. Patina will happen over time, but on newer swords like this i don't think preventing active rust is an issue.

[Conway S]

Thanks for the replies. I'll put a little choji oil on those spots. 

 

Conway

[Ford Hallam]

Although eventually we accept a well patinated nakago the use of choji oil, especially undiluted, is no longer recommended on swords as it can stain steel.

 

Camellia oil is the stuff to go for. Some people put a tiny drop of clove oil in the camellia because the smell is nostalgic, I must confess I do the same. 

 

afwiw; hard to be absolutely certain from the photo but I get the feeling the whole nakago has been subject to some sort of artificial rust promoting treatment. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Conway,

Is that a stamped number at the end of the nakago?

[Stephen]

40 minutes ago, Ford Hallam said:

I get the feeling the whole nakago has been subject to some sort of artificial rust promoting treatment. 

Agree

What I'd do is wash with very mild Soap solution(soft brush) run under hot, as you can stand, water to rinse.

It will dry fast that way.

Once dry I'd apply small drops of oil on forefinger an thumb. Lightly apply down until all is oiled.

Then wipe off with soft cloth.

If your rag is red you've stopped the bad rust...if no color it's been treated. 

[Conway S]

1 hour ago, Ford Hallam said:

Although eventually we accept a well patinated nakago the use of choji oil, especially undiluted, is no longer recommended on swords as it can stain steel.

I have put choji oil on a very poor shape arsenal mumei blade (not the one I posted about last week) before and it darkened the nakago. That's why I haven't touched this sword in the years that I have owned it. I didn't want to darken the tang.

 

@Stephen

 

Stephen's approach seems interesting, but like I said I am hesitant when it comes to tackling rust because I feel afterward it's always obvious the piece was fiddled with. 

 

Conway

[Conway S]

56 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Conway,

Is that a stamped number at the end of the nakago?

@Bruce Pennington that is the "delta punch" found on these Masayasu swords.Although, it's more of a circle on this one. It does have a mune stamped number which may or may not match the rest of the fittings. I think the 6 and 3 are upside down on the mune.  Note the small star and the "A."

 

Conway

 

[Conway S]

1 hour ago, Ford Hallam said:

Camellia oil is the stuff to go for. Some people put a tiny drop of clove oil in the camellia because the smell is nostalgic, I must confess I do the same. 

I appreciate your input and will look into camellia oil. 

 

Conway

[Bruce Pennington]

27 minutes ago, Conway S said:

I think the 6 and 3 are upside down on the mune.

Boy, this one is loaded with stuff I'm interested in!  Looks like Rinji tsuba, but the second ana in the nakago is filled?  Can I get a closeup of the delta stamps for the files, and one of the nakago mune numbers?

[Stephen]

44 minutes ago, Conway S said:

will look into camellia oil. 

 

Currently in vogue in Japan and here.

[Stephen]

56 minutes ago, Conway S said:

@Stephen

 

Stephen's approach seems interesting, but like I said I am hesitant when it comes to tackling rust because I feel afterward it's always obvious the piece was fiddled with. 

 

Conway

At least take a lightly oiled cloth and give swipe....red rust never sleeps. 

[Conway S]

Neil Young is right. I will post some more pictures of the fittings and the nakago stamps soon. 

 

Conway