Binding Rattan

Oriental-Arms · 4th July 2006, 01:09 PM

Charles asked for instructions for binding rattan, so I took few photos and send him. He tried it on a newly made barong scabbard and this is what came out:

Not bad for a novice restorer (or may be the cookbook is good). Charles suggested to post the binding instructions on the forum so all could benefit, and here they are:

Tools: Good scissors, long (not sharp) needle, sharp knife (I use a medical scalpel)
1) Immerse the rattan in room temperature water for about 20 min. until it is soft and flexible

2) The rattan has two sides: the front side which is shining and the back side which is rough

3) Start the binding from the back side of the scabbard, always going from the narrow part of it toward its wider part.

4) Start with the rattan rough side up; fold it 90 degrees so the front side is up now (see photo 1):

5) Continue binding until you get the required width of binding

6) Push the long needle below the last three-four bindings (Photo 2):

7) Push the end of the rattan fiber below the last three bindings (Photo 3)

8) Pull out the needle and tight the rattan fibers (Photo 4)

9) Fold the rattan upward and push it below the last binding (Photo 5)

Oriental-Arms · 4th July 2006, 01:11 PM

10) Fold the rattan back down and with the aid of the needle push it below the bindings (Photo6)

11) Tighten the rattan, and with a sharp pointed scalpel cut the excess fibers (Photo 7)

12) The finished band (Photo 8)

Hope it helps

Spunjer · 4th July 2006, 01:21 PM

thx artzi!

so how do you attain the 'antique look' on the rattan?

Oriental-Arms · 4th July 2006, 01:38 PM

After binding, drying cleaning and light polish with very fine sandpaper I apply to it any one of the many brands of commercial wood stain.

S.Al-Anizi · 4th July 2006, 02:11 PM

Thanks alot Artzi!

I always liked your instructional threads, such as the one where you restored that killic hilt, and this one.

Ferguson · 4th July 2006, 03:04 PM

Thank you Artzi. That's an excellent tutorial.

Now if I could learn to braid the thin rattan around the scabbard or the hilt of a sundang, I would be a happy man.

Steve Ferguson

nechesh · 4th July 2006, 03:07 PM

Thanks Artzi, this will be very helpful indeed!

Of course i'd also love to fogure out those fancy braided wraps as well.

4th July 2006, 01:09 PM	#1
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Binding Rattan Charles asked for instructions for binding rattan, so I took few photos and send him. He tried it on a newly made barong scabbard and this is what came out: Not bad for a novice restorer (or may be the cookbook is good). Charles suggested to post the binding instructions on the forum so all could benefit, and here they are: Tools: Good scissors, long (not sharp) needle, sharp knife (I use a medical scalpel) 1) Immerse the rattan in room temperature water for about 20 min. until it is soft and flexible 2) The rattan has two sides: the front side which is shining and the back side which is rough 3) Start the binding from the back side of the scabbard, always going from the narrow part of it toward its wider part. 4) Start with the rattan rough side up; fold it 90 degrees so the front side is up now (see photo 1): 5) Continue binding until you get the required width of binding 6) Push the long needle below the last three-four bindings (Photo 2): 7) Push the end of the rattan fiber below the last three bindings (Photo 3) 8) Pull out the needle and tight the rattan fibers (Photo 4) 9) Fold the rattan upward and push it below the last binding (Photo 5)

4th July 2006, 01:11 PM	#2
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Binding Rattan ( Cont.) 10) Fold the rattan back down and with the aid of the needle push it below the bindings (Photo6) 11) Tighten the rattan, and with a sharp pointed scalpel cut the excess fibers (Photo 7) 12) The finished band (Photo 8) Hope it helps

4th July 2006, 01:38 PM	#4
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Rattan After binding, drying cleaning and light polish with very fine sandpaper I apply to it any one of the many brands of commercial wood stain.

4th July 2006, 01:21 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	thx artzi! so how do you attain the 'antique look' on the rattan?

4th July 2006, 02:11 PM	#5
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	Thanks alot Artzi! I always liked your instructional threads, such as the one where you restored that killic hilt, and this one.

4th July 2006, 03:04 PM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thank you Artzi. That's an excellent tutorial. Now if I could learn to braid the thin rattan around the scabbard or the hilt of a sundang, I would be a happy man. Steve Ferguson

4th July 2006, 03:07 PM	#7
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Thanks Artzi, this will be very helpful indeed! Of course i'd also love to fogure out those fancy braided wraps as well.