Refinishing a Shirasaya after addition of Sayagaki

[Lewis B]

When Tanobe sensei wrote his sayagaki he removed the original finish on the wood so that the ink would penetrate. There is now a colour contrast between the handle and the saya plus a slight roughness along the surface and the wood is now vulnerable to stains, oils etc. What is the best product to use to protect the wood and preserve the kanji? Would something like Nordicare Furniture Oil be suitable? Or better to leave as is and just be more careful when handling?

 

https://www.nordicar...oduct/furniture-oil/

[Alex A]

They should be left untreated.

 

If it were me i would remove the finish from the rest of the shirasaya

[Lewis B]

7 minutes ago, Alex A said:

They should be left untreated.

 

If it were me i would remove the finish from the rest of the shirasaya

Good idea. Do you know what he might have used to take off the old lacquer?

[Alex A]

I dont know.

 

In the past i have used fine/very fine grit sandpaper to remove stains and cello tape marks from shirasaya

 

Tape marks seem very common, some folks are unawares of the stains they cause.

 

Anyways, if you go this route you need to be ultra careful nothing goes into the shirasaya, 

 

Again, carefully does it, vacuum as you go.

 

 

[Lee Bray]

It's likely a wax of some form.
Ibota wax is sometimes used in Japan to finish shirasaya. It allows the wood to 'breathe' yet gives a mild sheen to it.

[Mark S.]

I would reach out to someone like Bob Benson who has lots of contacts with different artisans who may be able to offer advice assuming he doesn’t already have the answer. Not sure if anyone here on NMB has contacts in Japan of someone who might be able to ask Tanobe Sensei directly?

[Grey Doffin]

If it is wax on your tsuka - and this is more likely the case than lacquer, which is uncommon on shirasaya - it should come off with alcohol. You can try just a drop on the tsuka to see if it will work, before going after the whole tsuka.

Grey

[Lewis B]

It feels more like a wax polish. Tanobe probably applied an alcohol wipe to remove the wax before writing the sayagaki. I don't get the impression he had to use something super aggressive.

[Brian]

Yeah, I wouldn't do more than wax. Any other liquid runs the risk of penetrating and smudging the writing. Proceed with care. I agree...ask Bob or someone like John Tirado or even reach out to Tanobe sensei.

[Lewis B]

I will ask the dealer in Japan to find out more and get a recommendation for a suitable wax product. 

[atm]

Please let us know what you learn from the dealer. He did the same to one of mine, although it looks like he used something more aggressive as there are some scuff marks on the adjacent buffalo horn. I think I can easily (and carefully) buff those scuffs out.

[b.hennick]

I was happy that Tanobe sensei left the patina on part of the shirasaya. It took hundreds of years to get that colour.