Bill, you can clean a blade with just about any acidic agent--- vinegar, various fruit juices, dilute acids, Coca Cola---almost anything. But some things are better than others.
The same is true of staining. I taught myself to use asenic about 50 years ago. In my opinion it gives the very best results of anything. But there are other agents that can be used.
I think a lot has been written on this subject both in this Warung Kopi group, and in the old Forum. If you do a bit of digging I feel you might find a week's reading for yourself.
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