How to Clean a Samurai Sword Without Ruining the Blade

If you're wondering how to clean a samurai sword, you probably just realized that high-carbon steel is surprisingly high-maintenance and doesn't play well with humidity. Unlike your kitchen knives, a real katana—whether it's a modern reproduction or a genuine antique—is a living piece of metal that breathes, reacts to the air, and, unfortunately, starts to rust the moment you stop paying attention to it. ...

February 20, 2026 · 7 min · Yer Curbilié