New Rencong Meucannge comments and advice

A. G. Maisey · 23rd May 2013, 12:09 AM

Detlef, I have done this repair on hilts more times than I can remember, mostly keris hilts, but also a couple of rencongs and more than a few assorted knives. I have also done similar repairs on statuary and furniture.

It does require care, and it does require precision.

If the alignment of the pins is out by a few thousandths of an inch you simply enlarge the hole a little and fill with the adhesive, which when set is at least as strong as most hilt materials. A small misalignment can be hidden by recarve and stain.

Superglue will work, and superglue is what would be used in Indonesia --- well, not super glue exactly, but a similar product called Alteco. The problem with super glue is that it dries out after a few years and the joint comes adrift. If all you want to do is to recycle something on ebay, or sell out of a warung in some market in Jawa you use super glue. If you want a joint with integrity that will outlast you , you do a tradesman like job.

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23rd May 2013, 12:09 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Detlef, I have done this repair on hilts more times than I can remember, mostly keris hilts, but also a couple of rencongs and more than a few assorted knives. I have also done similar repairs on statuary and furniture. It does require care, and it does require precision. If the alignment of the pins is out by a few thousandths of an inch you simply enlarge the hole a little and fill with the adhesive, which when set is at least as strong as most hilt materials. A small misalignment can be hidden by recarve and stain. Superglue will work, and superglue is what would be used in Indonesia --- well, not super glue exactly, but a similar product called Alteco. The problem with super glue is that it dries out after a few years and the joint comes adrift. If all you want to do is to recycle something on ebay, or sell out of a warung in some market in Jawa you use super glue. If you want a joint with integrity that will outlast you , you do a tradesman like job.