Little active rust in Mei

[Martin]

Hi all,

 

I have a sword that had a little active rust inside the signature deepening from the day I bought it.

It´s not very well visible in the pictures - you can see it mainly in the YOSHI Kanji.

I never paid much attention to it so far but is there any possible way to remove it?

I could try with antler or ivory splinter of course but some area are not very accessible. They need to be very very spiky and that makes them hard to handle :?

Or would it be best to leave it as it is?

 

Thanks for any helpful advice,

Martin

[Grey Doffin]

All I've ever heard is that you don't mess with the nakago, let alone the mei. If you fear the rust will grow and cause damage you might apply a tiny bit of clove (sword) oil to the affected spots, but that's as far as I'd go (if even there).

Grey

[nagamaki - Franco]

NBTHK sword care manual:

11. It is a good idea to apply oil to the surface of the tang with one's fingers. However, an excessive amount of oil must also be avoided here.

 

http://www.jssus.org/articles/7.html

 

 

Its not advisable to mess around with the mei

[Martin]

Hi and thanks for your replies.

I certainly won´t mess around with the Mei

Applied some Choji oil on the Nakago now and will keep watching this area.

 

regards,

Martin

[johnb]

I often see choji oil refered to as clove oil...I as I understand it, choji oil is predominantly a very light mineral oil with a couple of percent clove oil, primarily to scent the mineral oil.

Clove oil from the local pharmacy, I feel, is not good for swords.

Clove oil may also damage any Koshirae that has been finished with contemporary lacquers. I say...BEWARE THE CLOVE OIL!