I have just gotten a sword. The sword itself is great, but the sword sticks about 90% of the way into the scabbard, and when I remove it it has splotches of congealed grease. What is the best way to clean it out?
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Ottomaton,
First of all, if it is a leather scabbard with metal mounts use step 1, 2, and then skip to step 5, as detailed below. Use a clean patch to try to remove the grease. IF YOU PUT KEROSENE IN A LEATHER SCABBARD YOU WILL DESTROY IT!!! Leather scabbards when not taken care of, have a tendency to shrink. This causes the blade to not seat all the way in the scabbard, make sure FIRST that this not your problem. Even better make sure it is the original scabbard to the sword as a different original may just be too short for the sword.
If it is an all metal scabbard, there is more you can do. (1)First remove the screw retaining the throat of the scabbard very carefully using penetrating oil and the right size screwdriver so that you do not bugger it. Do not be ham fisted with it or it may wring off. Do not use heat, if it is a painted scabbard it will damage the finish. (2)Remove the throat using a wooden block and mallet so that you do not damage it. Some scabbards have wooden inserts to protect the blade. These should then slide out, but may take a little coaxing. Do not force them or they will break and leave you with more of a problem than you started with. Once you get to this point it gets much easier. (3)Take a small amount of kerosene and pour it into the scabbard. It will not harm the metal and should help cut through the grease. (4)Next take a small metal rod 1/16, 1/8 inch or so, (preferably brass but steel will do) that is long enough to reach to the inside tip of the scabbard. Do not use wood, if you break it, good luck getting it out! Take the rod and insert it into the scabbard with the kerosene. then move the rod around to try to break up the old oil (now gummy grease). This step may have to be done several times to get all of the grease out. Once it is out, pour out the kerosene. (5)Then take a small caliber cleaning rod with a patch and try to remove as much of the of the left over kerosene as possible. Once this is done, follow it with a patch with gun oil to prevent any future rust. When done, carefully reassemble.
IF AT ANY TIME YOU DO NOT FEEL YOU CAN DO THIS WITHOUT DAMAGING THE SWORD, STOP!!! I have used this method with success a few times on swords and bayonets, but it is not for the faint of heart or those not mechanically inclined. Use this at your own risk, I will not be held accountable for your mistakes, acts of God, etc.
Dan Murphy
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