Many people buy a katana thinking it's a strong and quality sword that will be preserved for years to come. True, it is a quality sword, but owners tend to get dissapointed thinking they bought a low quality sword, when in fact they know nothing about it's proper maintenance.
First of all, one should never touch the blade of a samurai sword, as it will lead to rusting.
The best way to prevent rust and to preserve sword's flawless polish it to keep the sword lightly oiled.
Light oil, one that does not soil the scabbard must be used.
Katana swords should be held in a dry, constant and non-salt armosphere. However, that is not always possible.
The oil should be applied no more than once a month if the sword is kept in a salty atmosphere. In mountainous areas you should apply the oil once every three months.
Before you apply new oil to the blade, you should wipe the old oil with a very soft fabric, and use a special oil removing powder, or talcum powder.
Don't use metal polish or it will deteriorate the blade. The tang and tsuba (guard) should also never be polished.
Samurai swords should be handled with care and respect they deserve.
Hopefully these tips will help you to preserve the value of your swords and enjoy them even more.
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