Sword cleaning - mistakes to avoid

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Interested Party

Yvain,
What about for the care of horn? Any suggestions out there?

Horn I rub and clean with linseed oil, it prevents the horn from cracking and it can close cracks and also ivory cracks.

[werecow]

I have a yataghan that has a horn hilt that was literally crumbling to dust when I picked it up, with small pieces coming out along the spine covering. Soaking it in neatsfoot oil for a day gave the grip a firm feel again and stopped more dust from running out.

[Yvain]

@Interested Party, I don't think grade matters, as long as there isn't any additives in it, I've used sunflower seed oil successfully for cleaning!



Regarding horn, as @werecrow said, I also use neatsfoot oil. The collagen (not keratin, my bad!) will bind with it and strengthen it (it will not fix splits though, of course).

[mariusgmioc]

I do not use anything but mineral oil. All plant-based and animal oils alter their properties quite fast and may even become rancid.

I spoke with very reputed Japanese swords dealers and they also recommend mineral oil as it is much more stable in time.

[mariusgmioc]

For cleaning/de-greasing a blade, white spirit and occasionally aceton are much more effective than alcohol as they effectively dissolve and remove all types of grease and wax.

[Marius66]

Hello,
Sesam oil is good too