A Barong with possible twistcore?
 

I purchased this from Mang Ven again the other day only because of the very faint possibility of twist core laminations in the middle. I shone a LED flashlight on it and there seemed to be an ever so slight twist in an area at the middle of the blade. I have tried my best to show it but even then, it's very very faint.

I normally etch after polishing in warm white vinegar, but in thise case, should I look for FeCL? Or do you think the vinegar would be enough?

Well, as you said I see something in the middle but to faint to tell. Could be twistcore could be lamination. I would go with the vinegar first, just my 2 cents.

Agree with Mross. Think is just very fine lamination. Nice barong.

Regards,
Detlef

Hello Joren,

This doesn't look like twistcore to me - would love to be proven wrong though!

In any case, the clear linear pattern is not that common and a good addition to any Moro collection.


While vinegar may be enough to reveal details, it may also take several rounds of polishing and etching.

A quick wipe with ferric chloride is faster for exploring laminations and pattern welding and completely reversible with ample neutralisation, and a final round of polishing and etching with vinegar (or coconut water). Just make sure that ferric chloride does't get into any cracks and crevices (especially at the base of the hilt), is washed off with copious amounts of water, and thoroughly neutralised since it is really corrosive and keeps nagging on any blade/tang (or many other metals as well as organic materials) if any traces are left.

Regards,
Kai

Ah, that makes me not want to risk FeCL on such a nice piece. I'll go the vinegar route. Actually I already started polishing one side so I suppose there's no turning back.

Clearly no twistcore, but a nice lamination indeed. I need to etch it deeper to bring out the full pattern but ran out of vinegar. Will continue the etch next week (and might re-polish the whole thing - there were plenty of deep scratches left from an old sharpening).

Joren

Edit: Pics didn't attach initially.

Laminations seemed to come out well on that one side!

Yeah that side was also better polished. I'll have to redo the side that didn't take.

Also out of vinegar so I'm gonna buy a bigger bottle.

Hello Croccifixio,

in my experience it's often the case that by one side the lamination come out better as by the other one. But the blade would benefit from a better and finer polish for sure.

Best regards,
Detlef

Hello Detlef,

I can't remember this for barung blades (quality can be quite different on each side though). I agree that several rounds of polishing often do the trick.

Joren, I would not try to polish out deep scratches since this would mean removing a lot of metal. It's often enough to remove the light scratches for getting a nicer look. And don't use power tools... ;)

Regards,
Kai

Noted Detlef, Kai, and many thanks.

Yes it took me a few hours' worth of 15 minute breaks at the office to get the polish to a decent level at 1000 grit on one side (spending 90% of the time on 600 grit). I might spend another few hours just to fix the less attractive side. The difference is quite stark in person.