cleaning the saya interior

[guillx]

hey I just got got my masahiro elite musashi katana and I am really pleased with it. But when i take the saya off there is always some wax stains or something like that on the blade witch is in the saya. Should I let it there ?I kind want to clean it up because I always have to take a tissue and clean it up witch takes of the oil.How could I clean the saya or tell me if I should let it like it is . thank you

[bobO]

You should try to clean it. The best why I found(kudo's to swordboy) was to use a gun cleaning rod. They come with both a brush and a attachment that you can put a colth on. Works like a charm, just don't go banging it on the bottom of the saya. Good Luck

[Brian Brazier]

That is a good idea Bobo. I have a few Masahiro's and know exactly what your talking about, a waxy white buildup, I still get a little here and there on my swords and they are a couple years old, it dosen't appear to stain or affect the finish of the swords. You can also try taking off the saya and bumping it against your hand, that should help get some of the stuff out.

[Dotanuki]

The gun cleaning rod works quite well, one thing I noticed with the Masahiro's is, that they sometimes pack the bottom of the saya with bubblewrap, I guess to keep the sword from rattling during shipment. This could be the source of the wax if there is a lot of it. I recently bought 4 Masakage's from Jason during his closeouts, and 3 of the 4 had bubblewrap in the bottom of the saya. The bubblewrap was the major source of the wax buildup. The bubble wrap did not come out easy either, I only found out by accident when the rod seemed to be hung up on something, only by twisting the brush and entangling the bubblewrap did it come out.
The only problem is, guillx is 15 years old and might not have access to a gun cleaning kit, as many other people who don't own guns.
guillx, just so you know, the wax won't hurt the sword if you can't get it out right now. Just wipe it off and oil it as usual until you can find a gun cleaning kit later.

[Jason Moore]

guillx is 15 years old and might not have access to a gun cleaning kit, as many other people who don't own guns.

You can also ask your dad to use his if he has a gun. (The cleaning kit, not the gun)=)

[guillx]

ok I'll think about that, oh and by the way my saya still sticks but its getting looser and looser,I tried to put some electric tape in the saya to make it bigger so it would stick but its the tape that didn't stick..... soo what should I do

[Brian Brazier]

here are some detailed instructions http://www.zwaardstunter.nl/WKCcare.htm be sure to throughly clean the interior throat of the saya with paint thinner or nail polish remover and let it dry before gluing in a shim, the glue residue from the tape you put in the saya will damage your sword (do not let the paint thinner come in contact with the saya lacquer). The wood veneer is included in this maintenance kit http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=96 or at a Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

[guillx]

wow that really helps thanks

[bobO]

And guillx The only time any kind of tape should go on your sword,saya etc, is if you work for mythbusters!! Dotanuki,Thanks for the heads up on the bubble wrap!

[Nanshoji]

Thats strange, both of my katanas are masahiro brand, and I have never had that problem, Ive got the philosophy and elite fuji, I wonder if they made then different.

[guillx]

ok so um I tried that out but instead of a wood shim I took a piece of craft foam , is that ok? I took wood glue but im not sure if the foam will stick on it ill see that in in a minute lol its drying wile im writing

[Jason Moore]

A wood shim would definetely work best as the foam may break apart easily when drawing your sword. How did it work out for you?

[Brian Brazier]

I agree with Jason, a wood shim is the best way, take your time when filing it to get the best possible fit, I just did my Paul Chen PPK Elite and it took about 5 hrs of filing to get the fit I wanted, but it is well worth the work

[bobO]

And I agree with Jason and Brian. Don't use sandpaper and don't force the sword into the saya as it can and will split on you. Just file a little at a time and keep checking the fit.

[Nanshoji]

Hey Bobo, you got a new avatar, you go through them faster than I do. Ive only had two, while I think you have had three or four.

[bobO]

Well, four if you count the one that was on for a minute or two. Of course if it's a post to avatar thing your way a head of me.I made this one.