Brass work for Gladius in process.

[M. Demetrius]

I used sifted wood ashes and a wet cloth to AMAZING success with brass that had begun to turn dull and brownish. Nearly nothing left on the surface after a wipe with a clean damp cloth. I think it's something upwards of a thousand grit abrasive. Very glad I tried it. It works better than anything I've used in the commercial chemical department.

Take ashes from a fire, sift them through a wire screen tea strainer, wet a cloth, dab it on the ashes, rub on the brass. You'll be astonished how well it works. Takes rust and the blackish discoloration off steel, too. Put a jar of wood ashes in your kit bag, and you'll be glad you did.