Cleaning Cloth Question

[Justin Grant]

I have a blade that is still in great polish, and have not touched it in several months, other than to make sure it is not rusting once in a while. I want to oil it now, and this is the first time since having it that I will undertake this process with a polished blade. I don't want to put fine scratches in the polish and wondered what is the best, readily available cloth you can use to clean the blade of old oil before applying new oil? Will microfiber or other eye glasses cloth work? Will the use of rubbing alcohol aid this process? I have seen so many different processes listed, I honestly don't know.

 

On my other blade, it is in need of a polish so I don't worry so much, but I don't want to accelerate the need for a new polish on this Wakizashi.

 

Again, my main concern is putting scratches in the new polish so I want to know what the best material is to use to clear the old oil before applying the new oil.

 

Thanks

 

Justin

[Curgan]

I believe high quality uchiko or a lens microfiber cloth would do the trick.

[ububob]

I am a fan of the lens microfiber cloth ILO rice paper.

[Henry Wilson]

Personally I would avoid uchiko altogether and just use a micro fibre cloth. Uchiko is abrasive and will dull the new polish quickly.

[sanjuro]

For a sword in full or new polish, microfibre cloth only. Uchiko, even the highest quality, is a mild abrasive and should be used only infrequently and very sparingly. Each application of uchiko takes its toll on the polish, even when used with the greatest care.

The use of surgical or denatured alcohol to remove the old oil is not necessary unless the sword is badly soiled. A sword kept in shirasaya needs only to have the old oil wiped off and then replaced with new oil.

[Jean]

If I remember well Paul Martin had excellent cleaning clothes on sale for this purpose, this is the only one I use.