Antique Tips

Question: Need help with techniques to clean my antique sword!?

(Posted by: Nannerpus on 2009-12-24 16:16:59)

I do not want to polish my sword, it is a masonic templar sword made in mid 1800's, past down to me by my grandfather, i would like to know some household things i can use to clean and preserve the sword, the blade is acid etched, so abrasive cleaning techniques are out, i have heard the following technique works but i am not sure: - wipe blade with non- lint cloth - wipe on a thin layer of baking soda and water solution, then wipe off - finally wipe on a thin layer of vaseline/ petroleum jelly i dont know if this works, anyone have ideas? remember no abrasive techniques, and no polishing that will remove the patina, i also do not like all the harsh chemicals

Posted by: littlemissknowitall on 2009-12-24, 17:15:12

Go online and look at the Japanese samurai and military sword collectors sites for more info. The best thing you could do is leave it alone and make sure that it doesn't rust. Oil is a good idea, but vaseline is probably not the best oil. There are sword restorers who could give you better information. Take a look at those sites. Merry Christmas!

Posted by: ♥ ♥ C.J. ♥ ♥ on 2009-12-24, 16:27:59

If you clean it incorrertly you may damage the finish and reduce the value. You probably can clean it with some oil that you get at a gun store. Lightly oil it to protect finish.

Posted by: Person76 on 2009-12-24, 17:07:53

Just leave it alone. Every man-made thing will decay, whether or not you die before it decays. I don't mean to sound insensitive, but admire it for what its background, not its appearance.

Posted by: Linda on 2009-12-26, 03:03:26

Here is my information page on care of an antique sword chinese-swords-guide.com/ antique-sword.html