UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum Cleaning Saber Grip Wire

Let me preface this by saying that i'm a firm believer in cleaning army sabers. Patina on 'em just doesn't do it for me. Daggers and Luft fleigerschwerts are another story.

Do most of you clean you saber grip wire? How 'bout the sabers themself?

It's difficult to see from this photo as the case inhibits the picture quality, but the grip wires and very shiny.

How do you go about shining the grip wire? What about the aluminum wires? I do like the look.

Mike W.

I sparingly use Semichrome with both q-tips and a soft brush. I then remove the semichromse with a soft rag and then apply a coat of Renwax to the entire grip portion.

The Renwax gives both the wire and the celluloid grip a nice luster and added sheen while protecting the wire from fingerprints and the elements.

I've noticed, that typically, the aluminum type grip wire usually stathes off corrosion and oxidation on its own. However, Semichrome will produce similiar results as well on the aluminum type wire as well.

Thanks for the info. I think the grip wires look much better cleaned. Also, how do you go about cleaning the brass hilts using sudsy ammonia? Sparingly, full strength with a very soft brush? What effect does the ammonia have if it comes in contact with the black celluloid grips?

I am a Scharnhorst, a Blucher and a Fr. von Stein away from an all brass hilted Eickhorn Field Marshall series. I wish Bill Shea's sword stands held nine swords instead of just seven.

Best..

Mike W.

Yea Mike,
that would work well. I've got a few of Bills sword stands. Best out there by a longshot.

I've never used the sudsy amonia meathod. All results i've seen really look good. The brass hilted sabers that are missing thier gilting, i just hit with Semichrome and brighten the brass. I really try to avoid buying sabers that are missing thier gilt as it ties ones hands. I will however, if I have no choice .


Here's a Holler devoid of gilt. i hit it with a bit of semichrome and replaced the grip wire.
I would be curious to see what kinda results I would have utilizing sudsy amonia.

Hello All,
Ahh another Sudsy Ammonia question. Sudsy ammonia works very good at cleaning the hilts and grip wire,simichrome works great for the blade but will spell disaster to gilting. I never tried to use simichrome on the grip wire but my first thought is that you will have some residue within the twisted wire that you will never get out (just my thought).
A few very knowledgable members have posted similar topics on Sudsy ammonia and cleaning of swords, check the Sword forum and Restoration Forum, or do a search under Sudsy Ammonia. A little time looking through old posts will give you the answers you might have.

Eric

Eric,
Very true regarding Semichrome and gilting. Extreme caution must be used. With time and dilligence, I have been able to get almost all of the Semichrome from the grip wire, evern the springy kind. That being said, the next saber i acquire, i'm going to give the sudsy amonia a try.