Question about blade scratches

[Matt D]

The attached photos show scratches on a blade forged in 1980’s. My first thought was they came from usage, but the saya, koshirai, and tsuka ito are in such pristine condition, I doubt if it’s ever been used. The koiguchi also lacks the wear that I would expect from drawing and resheathing.

 

Are scratches such as these likely from usage (iaido practice), improper cleaning, crud in the saga, or some other reason. Does anyone have any other thoughts?

[Lewis B]

Can't be 100% certain from those pictures but have you considered that it might be a forging feature? Was it there when you got the blade?

[Toryu2020]

Thats gotta be something in the saya...

 

-t

[reinhard]

There was a time, not so long ago, when many collectors and dealers switched from washi to micro-fibre tissues for sword care.

The disadvantage was:

This kind of synthetic tissue picks up loose particles of rust from the tang and rubs them over the blade, producing ugly scratches.

 

just an idea

 

reinhard

[atm]

57 minutes ago, reinhard said:

This kind of synthetic tissue picks up loose particles of rust from the tang and rubs them over the blade, producing ugly scratches.

This is the wrong way to wipe off a blade regardless of the material used. One should start safely above the rust on the nakago to wipe up toward the kissaki. The small area above the nakago not covered in the wipe up should be wiped down toward the nakago.

[Scogg]

The lines are really straight and long. I’m inclined to agree with Thomas, that it’s something with the saya 

 

Could it simply be from improper drawing of the blade from the saya on its side? Rather than drawing it along the mune? The koiguchi wouldn’t necessarily show wear if it’s just being drawn for show and tell. 

-Sam 

[Matt D]

Thank you everyone for the input. The blade came with those scratches. My main concern at this point is not making it any worse. I wonder if I can brush the inside of the saya with a rifle cleaning rod with a nylon brush.

[Brian]

3 hours ago, atm said:

This is the wrong way to wipe off a blade regardless of the material used. One should start safely above the rust on the nakago to wipe up toward the kissaki. The small area above the nakago not covered in the wipe up should be wiped down toward the nakago.

Yes, but those cloths can pick up particles from everywhere, not just the blade. Put the cloth down on a table or wherever you store it, and you have to be careful you don't get some dirt grains on it. Best to store it in a clean small box or something, and even then make sure you keep it clean.

I'm inclined to agree with Tom. Something in the scabbard at some point. Maybe gone now. But could have happened at any point. Blow out the saya with a compressor carefully. Tap it upside down on a table. Whatever did it might be gone now, but you'll need to pay careful attention.

[Tohagi]

Hello,

As stated above,

The scratch being paralel to the mune, it's probably a drawing issue with a hard dust in the scabbard.

That scratch is thick and dark, did anyone use sandpaper to adjust the saya? Could come from that...

[Jacques]

To clean the inside of a saya, you can use the nylon brush in a rifle cleaning kit.

[jsv]

 

Black lines top of the hamon and lower down in the hamon, its a feature of kiyomaro school.

Maybe the smith liked kiyomaros work?

 

 

[Matt D]

Thank you for your input. Given that the marks are so straight and long, I’m pretty sure they are scratches.