Maintaining your Katana

A traditional katana requires attention and vigilance. Improper maintenance could alter the quality of the blade and its sharpness.

Don’t worry, we’ll give you the best tips for maintaining your katana. You will have all the secrets to obtain a beautiful and efficient blade for your training.

Key points of Katana maintenance

Here are some essential points that will allow your katana to last over time . Follow these tips carefully:

• Avoid touching the blade If you touch it all the time, it will rust. Perspiration or natural oils from your fingers can collect on your blade. Over time, these small elements can damage your sword and make it look and feel less sharp.
• Coat the blade with oil This is one of the best ways to protect the blade from damage. We recommend coating it with choji oil.
• Oil your wooden handle your wooden handle must be treated in the same way as your blade. The latter absorbs or releases moisture very well depending on where it is stored. The oil keeps your sword handle looking consistent.

Take the katana out of its sheath

Take your katana out of its scabbard and observe it at least once a week. This weekly inspection allows you to identify early wear and tear and treat it as soon as possible.

In addition, it is necessary to remove the blade from its sheath from time to time. A leather sheath will easily store moisture from the air. If you don’t take it out for a while, rust and corrosion may appear.

How to clean the blade and the handle of a katana?

To clean your katana, you will need a maintenance kit. This will prevent cracks, oxidation and other inconveniences on your Japanese sword.

Clean the blade

Start by using a microfiber cloth to remove oil from your blade. Once the oil is removed, use the “uchiko”, a ball of chalk that you must tap on the tip of the blade.

You can then use the cloth to polish the blade and remove the excess powder. To finish, simply apply the oil along and on each side of the blade with a sprayer or a very soft brush. Do not touch the blade until you replace it in its sheath.

How often should I clean my katana?

Your Japanese sword should always be kept in its oiled sheath. But this oil is not enough to protect your blade for an indefinite period. You need to take your katana out of its scabbard to get rid of the moisture.

Depending on where you live, maintenance will vary. :

• Dry location For those who live in a dry area, the protective layer should be replaced every 3 to 4 months.
• Wet location For wet locations, you can clean your katana more frequently, about once every 1-2 months.

Common mistakes in the maintenance of a katana

It would be a pity to damage your katana by not knowing the subject. There are a few rules to follow if you want to keep your katana as long as possible :

• Use abrasive wheels or grinders Always use a water stone for this kind of process. The latter will not cause damage to your blade unlike other materials.
• Use of chemicals Never use products that are not appropriate for your shinken or katana. Blades are fragile and need mild products that do not cause corrosion.
• Hold the blade with your fingers Always use a soft, clean cloth for your blade. Any fingerprints you may leave on it will promote rusting. Finally, do the cleaning in a quiet place so you won’t be distracted.

To buy your first Japanese sword, don’t hesitate to visit our katana store.

Finally, if you still have trouble finding your way around the technical vocabulary of the katana, we’ve put together a lexicon that details everything.