Dragon Blade Forge · Care Guide
How to Maintain Your Katana.
A properly maintained blade lasts centuries. The routine is simple. The most common failures come from skipping it.
What You Need
Three items. No excuses.
These three handle the complete maintenance routine for any hand-forged carbon steel blade.
Choji Oil
Light mineral oil with a small percentage of clove oil. Applied in a thin, even coat after every cleaning. Creates a barrier against oxidation. Do not substitute with cooking oil or standard mineral oil — they leave residue and go rancid.
Uchiko Powder Ball
Fine stone powder in a silk ball. Applied by patting gently along the blade to remove old oil, fingerprints, and light surface oxidation. Used before applying fresh oil. Do not press hard — it is not an abrasive for scratches.
Soft Cotton or Rice Paper
Used to wipe off uchiko residue and apply oil. The cloth must be clean and dry before every use. Fingerprints contain acid. Any bare-hand contact with the blade requires immediate cleaning.
What Damages a Blade
What to avoid.
Fingerprints left uncleaned
Skin acid etches carbon steel within hours in humid environments. Wipe immediately after handling.
Storage without oil
A dry blade in a saya in a humid climate can show rust spots within days. Apply fresh oil before storage. Check monthly if sealed long-term.
Cutting before the blade is sharp
A dull blade requires excessive force. Rolling accelerates bevel damage. Sharpen to a working edge before each cutting session.
Long-term storage in the shipping bag
Shipping bags retain moisture. Transfer to the wooden saya within a week of arrival. Do not leave carbon steel sealed in fabric for extended periods.
Five steps. Ten minutes.
01Draw and inspectDraw slowly from the saya. Check the edge for nicks, chips, or rolling. Note any surface discoloration. Catch problems early, before they compound.
02Wipe off old oil and debrisUsing a clean, soft cloth, wipe from spine to edge, working from the base toward the tip. One direction only. Do not wipe toward your body.
03Apply uchikoPat the uchiko ball gently along both sides. The powder absorbs remaining oil, fingerprint acid, and light oxidation. Do not press. Wipe off with a clean cloth.
04Apply fresh choji oilA few drops on a clean cloth. Wipe a thin, even coat across both sides. The oil layer should be just visible, not pooling. A heavy coat picks up dust and leaves residue in the saya.
05Sheath and storeReturn to the saya slowly, edge up. Never force a blade into a saya. Store horizontally, edge facing up. If vertical, kissaki points down so gravity keeps oil on the blade.
06Monthly check if storedFor blades not in regular use: draw, inspect, clean, re-oil, return. Monthly is the minimum. Sayas sealed long-term accumulate moisture from the wood grain.
A well-maintained blade lasts generations.
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