How and when to clean up antique weaponry is, by far, the most common question I receive. Each collector has their own preferences—some like to leave their items completely untouched while others will happily use a grinding wheel to make them look as though they just left a parade ground. For me, the correct level of restoration lies somewhere in the middle and each item must be assessed individually. This guide is the sum total of my experience cleaning up and playing about with hundreds of swords and other antique weapons that had varying conditions and I hope it is useful. For your convenience, I have included links to any products the first time they are mentioned in the text and then also at the end of the article.

Before we begin, it’s important to state clearly that working on antiques can reduce their value drastically—if you have something precious or you’re unsure about restoration please contact an expert or send a direct message to me for guidance. You alone are responsible for your items and, sometimes, the best course of action is to do nothing. I also thoroughly recommend wearing appropriate personal safety equipment.