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