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How to Restore a Japanese Samurai Sword

The Japanese katana or "samurai sword" is considered by many to be one of the most elegant weapons ever created. For this reason, it is often sought out by both art and antique collectors. However, although these swords are surprisingly durable, if they were once used in combat, or simply left unchecked for long periods of time, rust spots and other damage can still accumulate over the years. Restoring these swords can be a difficult process that requires a degree of skill, but with the right tools you can do it at home without having to call a professional.

Things You'll Need

Chemical cleaner
Cotton based cloth
Dry soft cloth
Protective glove
Fine-grain whetstone
Sword oil
Fine mesh stainless steel cloth
Wrapping material (cloth, leather, silk, etc.)
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect the sword. Thoroughly examine the sword and make note of any scratches, notches, or rust. These areas will require the most attention when restoring the blade.
- 2
  Remove visible rust. Apply a small amount of chemical cleaner to a cotton-based cloth and use it to rub away any rust you see on the blade. It is important you only use the chemical cleaner on rusted areas as it can cause discoloration if you use it on the full length of the blade. Wipe the chemical cleaner off with with a dry cloth to remove the rust.
- 3
  Smooth out any notches. Put on a glove so you can hold the blade steady in one hand and, with your other hand, gently run a fine-grain whetstone along the length of blade to smooth out and remove the edges of each notch.
- 4
  Polish the blade. Apply a few drops of sword oil to each side of the blade and rub it in using a fine mesh stainless steel cloth. Use long, smooth strokes and carefully rub the length of the blade until all the tarnish and visible scratches are removed.
- 5
  Repair the handle. Check the handle for cracks and other degradation. If it is too badly damaged, it may need to be repaired for safety reasons. However, if the core of the handle is still in good condition, you can re-wrap the handle using cloth, leather, or silk and then use a screwdriver to tighten the bolts that fasten the blade to the handle. If the handle was originally painted, you can give it a touch up or completely repaint it before wrapping.
- 6
  Polish the hand guard. Many Japanese swords are fitted with a protective metal hand guard. Restore the hand guard by applying some of the sword oil to it and rubbing it in with the fine mesh steel cloth.
- 7
  Store the sword with care. Return the sword to its sheath and store it in an area that is free of moisture. Make sure to check the condition of the sword every two or three months to see if it requires additional maintenance.

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