Collecting antique Japanese swords could be an expensive hobby. That is why extra care should be given when handling or storing these unique pieces. If you have your own collection of antique Japanese swords, here are the things that you should do.
• If the blade looks dull, do not try to sharpen it. If you will use any sharpening objects such as a sharpening stone or grinding wheel, this will lose some of its market value among the collectors. You can make the blade shinier and sharper but not in that very crude way. There are special procedures that you should know in handling antiques.
• Try not to scratch the blade’s parts especially the nakago or tang with rough objects such as emery paper, steel wool, or sand paper. This will lessen the value of your antique Japanese sword.
• The tang or nakago is one very important part of the sword because it serves as its identification. Even if you are itching to remove the rust from that part, control yourself. An altered nakago will diminish the price of the antique sword by half!
• Do not use your antique Japanese sword in cutting objects other than flesh, which, of course, you should not do as well. It will damage the blade if you will use it to cut branches of trees and even shrubs.
• The blades should not be touched using your bare hands. This could form rust on the blade because of the oil and acid that your hand has. Use a clean cotton fabric to handle the blade. But as much as possible, try not to touch the blade because it is very sharp. One slip and you might lose your finger, or even your hand.