Binding Rattan

[Oriental-Arms]

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]

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]

thx artzi!

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

[Oriental-Arms]

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]

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

[Ferguson]

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]

Thanks Artzi, this will be very helpful indeed!
Of course i'd also love to fogure out those fancy braided wraps as well.