Polishing and etching: when and how?

Croccifixio · 3rd September 2015, 04:42 AM

Good day to you all. I posted recently about my first Moro Kris (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20420) and have begun restoration work on the blade while I take my daily lunch.

My question has been asked previously, but I could find no clear guideline on polishing old blades. Specifically, the state of preservation of this blade is good, apart from the active rust spots. The surface is quite smooth and doesn't have scratches that I would normally polish and buff out. However, when I removed the active rust, the steel near the spots shone brightly and contrasts the subdued hue of the rest of the blade. So I'm in a bit of a quandary: should I just polish the whole thing and etch it in warm vinegar? Or do I leave the blade as is?

Additionally, I am loathe to take sandpaper to this blade, as an uncle who also collects told me that sandpaper (even high grits) ruins the patina and devalues the antique. I read here that Spunjer (I think) uses 600-1000 grit to polish, and he makes the most remarkable restorations. So should I just ignore my uncle?

Thanks again, everyone! I'll attach pictures of the blade's current state in a few minutes.

3rd September 2015, 04:42 AM	#1
Croccifixio Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 33	Polishing and etching: when and how? Good day to you all. I posted recently about my first Moro Kris (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20420) and have begun restoration work on the blade while I take my daily lunch. My question has been asked previously, but I could find no clear guideline on polishing old blades. Specifically, the state of preservation of this blade is good, apart from the active rust spots. The surface is quite smooth and doesn't have scratches that I would normally polish and buff out. However, when I removed the active rust, the steel near the spots shone brightly and contrasts the subdued hue of the rest of the blade. So I'm in a bit of a quandary: should I just polish the whole thing and etch it in warm vinegar? Or do I leave the blade as is? Additionally, I am loathe to take sandpaper to this blade, as an uncle who also collects told me that sandpaper (even high grits) ruins the patina and devalues the antique. I read here that Spunjer (I think) uses 600-1000 grit to polish, and he makes the most remarkable restorations. So should I just ignore my uncle? Thanks again, everyone! I'll attach pictures of the blade's current state in a few minutes.