Mike--
The Ren wax must have come from another owner?
I think the shop uses oil on them.
Either one would block the effect of the pickling, so cleaning with a good degreaser followed by hot-soap-and-water at the kitchen sink, then pickling, is what I think somebody recommended before.
I never pickled one, but admire the results shown here.
By the way, I don't remember if Capt. Chris mentioned the effects of the pickling on the hilt, and how to protect it????
Larry
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Larry W. Williams
RKCC #CM-041
ABKA #046
RKS #1246