When restoring rusty or dirty antique swords, in many cases wiping them with mineral oil will deliver surprising results without having to use abrasive compounds or more invasive processes.

In this video I go through the results of wiping three antique french swords with Ballistol. While this can help remove rust and dirt, i't also a good practice for regular maintenance of swords.

This is an easy process, but it is still delicate. Make sure you know what you are doing and do not use cloths or sponges that are overly abrasive. Also, make sure you dial-in the intensity of your work so that you don't damage the blade, etchings, engravings, or the original patina.

Do not attempt any action on blued or gilt sections of a blade, they are very delicate!