I'm tempted to use Brasso to clean a blade

[robsawitski]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am considering using a metal cleaner called Brasso (avalaible at the local Home Depot in the Detroit area) to wipe down a blade. I have used it on many knifes and it does a fantastic job of removing all the stains and discolored stuff. It doesn't seem to do anything to the original polish, other than making it brighter.

 

I don't want to do anything foolish with this sword. Yes, Brasso may be a very foolish thing to use. I have a Japanese sword cleaning kit, which I haven't used yet. But, I can't imagine it working anywhere near as good as Brasso.

 

So, please let me know you're thoughts. I'd like to understand why it would be a bad idea to clean the blade with this metal cleaner.

 

Thanks.

[Veli]

Hi Rob,

 

I would use only uchiko. Metal cleaners may have acidic or other corrosive components (meant for oxide removal) that may penetrate the dislocations in the metal and kind of open the steel surface - though on a scale that is difficult to see by a naked eye.

 

We are extremely conservative on this forum, as you have noticed - and for a good reason

 

Veli

[robsawitski]

Ok. Thanks. Now that you mention it, the surface grain is quite open (i.e. several smalls pores).

 

Like I said, I have no idea what this stuff would do to such an old, historic item. Better to ask first, ususally.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[Justin Grant]

Brasso is acidic and an abrasive, it removes material and it is not for use on a traditional blade. Not a good idea, this is not a western made or machine made blade.

 

Ingredients

 

The label of Australian Brasso lists "Liquid Hydrocarbons 630g/L; Ammonia 5g/L", whereas the Material Safety Data Sheet for Brasso in North America lists: isopropyl alcohol 3-5%, ammonia 5-10%, silica powder 15-20% and oxalic acid 0-3% as the ingredients.[2]

[robsawitski]

Ok. Glad I didn't use it. Thanks for the information.

 

I come across old knives quite often (not Japanese, but hunting/military). I assume 99% of these are machine made as nothing I've found so far is older than 1910. Any idea if Brasso is OK on this items?

 

Thanks.

[Stephen]

if you have a blade of no great importance and you just want to clean off some crud you can use

 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... E8Q8wIwAg#

 

edit to add, not to be used on a new polish

[Curran]

As Stephen said, veteran collectors had me use NeverDull on my first starter blade.

With consistent use over a period of time, it cleaned up the grey and let me see enough of a hamon to decide to have it professionally polished.

 

Just for beater blades out of the woodwork.

[Grey Doffin]

NeverDull will make an old sword look like a Gunto; the surface will be bright and featureless.

Grey

[robsawitski]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll wait until it's been through a shinsa before I decide what to do with it (i.e. NeverDull or polish).