Welcome to the forum Mr. Workman. Don't know about the smell as i tend to find them more pleasantly scented with floral oils. But folks use all kinds of things to tighten up hilts. I've found all kinds if string, yarn and twine used and i have had a number of old keris that have used human hair for the purpose. I would not add any pine tar to the mix unless you plan on going into battle with your keris. I think it is better to leave it more moveable than not and pine tar will be sticky and messy, even if not exactly permanent. I generally cut linen cloth into long strips for securing hilts. I like to use natural fibers.
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