Where to get ivory to clean tsuba?

[chuck]

I just acquired a new tsuba three days ago, perhaps without examining it as closely as I should have, got it home and took it out to show a friend of mine, and I noticed several small spots of red rust on the back. Deep in carved grooves.

 

I'm not taking it back. I like it too much. Perhaps not wisely. It's one of those things, you know.

 

I know rubbing with ivory splinters are the best thing to use to get off rust spots, but I don't have the first idea where to get them.

 

Also, once the rust is out of the groove or wherever, there's a lot of rust dust on the tsuba (I tried rubbing with a wooden toothpick, then I figured I'd better do it right and see if I can get ivory). Is it ok to use a q-tip maybe wet with a little alcohol to get this off? (I know better not to do this without checking with the experts first.)

 

I'm between cameras so I don't have any pictures right now.

 

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[sanjuro]

It is a little difficult to get ivory. Bone is is far easier to get and is brittle but the shards hold a sharper point for longer.

[Grey Doffin]

Check with a piano tuner; you might be able to get some old keys. You won't need much; 1 key's worth of ivory will last a long time.

Grey

[Lorenzo]

You don't need ivory. Antler is fine for that.

[nagamaki - Franco]

hi, deer antler works very well for removing red rust especially in more open accessible areas by gently and carefully rubbing. Deer antler can usually be found at gun shows. For ivory, check out the Sunday morning flea markets for tables selling old sewing and knitting items, and ask for old antique (broken) ivory crochet hooks, which are excellent for working narrow crevices and difficult to get to areas. For general surface rust, purchase soft natural hair paint brushes, medium and small, and softly brush the surface over and over, even while watching television as long as you're still paying attention. This will remove loose surface rust and help to begin to bring out the patina over time, meaning weeks or even months. Maintain and keep the brushes clean.

[rkg]

Musical instrument makers - I picked up a pretty good sized bag of chips years ago from one of these guys...

 

rkg

(Richard George)

[chuck]

Is alcohol ok to rinse off the "rust dust", or should I just try to brush it out best I can with a soft brush?

 

Thanks for the help!

[dirk marshall]

I have ivory piano keys for sale which i think you can sell in the US.

I still like ivory best for cleaning, works great for cleaning mountains and water ripples

Dirk

[Grey Doffin]

Rather than using alcohol I'd use warm water and a soft brush. Tooth brush works well. I'd be hesitant to use alcohol fearing I'd find out the hard way that it disturbs the patina. Work the rust loose with sword oil and ivory/antler and wash it off with water and brush.

Grey

[chuck]

By "sword oil" I'm assuming you mean choji oil?

 

Ok, that makes more sense than trying to rub it dry. Good to know.

 

Thanks!

[ububob]

Go for the piano keys they are a good bet. A good horse hair brush similar to that used in print making is useful, it is referred to as maru bake. When it comes to tsuba cleaning less is always more. Check out Jim Gilbert's tsuba pages for cleaning detailed cleaning instructions.

I would not recommend oiling your tsuba although, as someone has said here, iron and oil are old friends.

[Pete Klein]

You can find them on Ebay but reference 'antique piano keys', not ivory as those adds are pulled. Also remember if you are bringing them across a boarder they might get confiscated. I also agree with Bob on the use of a good quality very stiff horse hair brush. It's best for removing the rust but never use oil with one or you'll contaminate it for good.

[bridgeofdreams]

I have a friend that supplies me with pre-ban ivory scrap, legal to sell in the U.S. (but not to export) and I will have some for sale at the Midwest Token Kai at the end of the month (as well as the usual selection of way too many books, of course with woodblock prints, tea bowls, netsuke, and whatever else isn't nailed down that might be of interest to like-minded folks.)

 

Stop by and say hello!

 

-Craig