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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2010 19:21:42 GMT
I see a lot of how to clean the blade and how to dis-assemble my katana, but what do I do with the rough tang? Should I oil it or use something else?
I don't want to mess up the wood, but also don't want it to rust.
any help?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2010 19:25:05 GMT
DO NOT OIL OR CLEAN THE NAKAGO. Its supposed to get surface rust. Oiling the nakago can ruin your tsuka. Look at all but the most newly made katana and you'll see rust...its a normal part of the tsuka/nakago interface.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2010 19:41:31 GMT
so I've got to ask... what is the point of dis-assembling a katana? All the blades now say "can be taken down for cleaning" but why?
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Post by Dan Davis on Jan 26, 2010 19:59:13 GMT
The area under the habaki needs to be cleaned on a regular basis; during normal oiling a small amount of oil will run under the habaki and collect there, accumulating dirt, grime and moisture. If left alone, the buildup will eventually ruin the blade.
The primary reason you want to disassemble your katana is for inspection. As you use the sword or even as it sits and ages the tsuka core can shrink or expand and the tsuba can loosen over time. It is important to keep all of the fittings tight, so inspect on a regular basis and add/replace/adjust seppa as needed to keep things fitting nice and tight.
The tsuka is designed to fit your blade using friction, so adding oil to lubricate it is counterproductive. Instead, wipe the nakago with a clean, dry cloth before reassembling.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2010 20:04:59 GMT
That clears up a lot for me. Thanks for the help.
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