Khanda / Hindu Basket Hilt - RUST under grip

SidJ · 28th January 2023, 05:26 PM

I would say that fabric grip is equally if not more deserving of protection and conservation given they perish. A professional conservator would be best as they might know how to preserve both rather than damaging one massively.

Jim McDougall · 28th January 2023, 08:01 PM

This in beyond remarkable to find one of these that seems to have been static in some location for many years, if not generations. Absolutely all the material deserves to be conserved as it is great for the opportunity to keep it original.
If I may, one of the most skilled conservators of edged weapons in my opinion is Philip Tom, who writes here on occasion.
I would suggest reaching out to him if he does not see this.

Please keep us posted on the outcome with this!!!

werecow · 28th January 2023, 11:41 PM

Yeah, if you get an answer and it's not through here, please share it if you can!

Ren Ren · 29th January 2023, 05:08 AM

An aqueous solution of tannin helped me in a similar situation. I needed to stop the corrosion of the steel and not damage the wood. The active brown rust turned into passive black rust and I'm happy with my result. But of course my experience is amateur, not professional.

John Hsiya · 29th January 2023, 07:28 AM

Thank you everyone for all the input so far!

I completely agree with the importance of preserving the grip as much as possible. It's actually the main thing that drew me to the sword & I'll be darned if I fail as its custodian.

I will most certainly keep everyone updated.

shayde78 · 22nd March 2023, 02:37 AM

I'm curious if anyone knows more about the textile wrapping on the grip. It looks very much like that found on my Pappenheim hilted sword discussed here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Pappenheim

Does anyone know if this is a European way of covering the grip, or might my Pappenheim spent some time in South Asia?

werecow · 22nd March 2023, 04:13 PM

Given that there is a single turkshead knot remaining and it is painted black, my guess would be that that rapier would've originally had a wire wrap and the textile is a later replacement.

22nd March 2023, 02:37 AM	#6
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	I'm curious if anyone knows more about the textile wrapping on the grip. It looks very much like that found on my Pappenheim hilted sword discussed here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Pappenheim Does anyone know if this is a European way of covering the grip, or might my Pappenheim spent some time in South Asia? Attached Images

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28th January 2023, 05:26 PM	#1
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	I would say that fabric grip is equally if not more deserving of protection and conservation given they perish. A professional conservator would be best as they might know how to preserve both rather than damaging one massively.

28th January 2023, 08:01 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	This in beyond remarkable to find one of these that seems to have been static in some location for many years, if not generations. Absolutely all the material deserves to be conserved as it is great for the opportunity to keep it original. If I may, one of the most skilled conservators of edged weapons in my opinion is Philip Tom, who writes here on occasion. I would suggest reaching out to him if he does not see this. Please keep us posted on the outcome with this!!!

28th January 2023, 11:41 PM	#3
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 553	Yeah, if you get an answer and it's not through here, please share it if you can!

29th January 2023, 05:08 AM	#4
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	An aqueous solution of tannin helped me in a similar situation. I needed to stop the corrosion of the steel and not damage the wood. The active brown rust turned into passive black rust and I'm happy with my result. But of course my experience is amateur, not professional.

29th January 2023, 07:28 AM	#5
John Hsiya Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: United States Posts: 3	Thank you everyone for all the input so far! I completely agree with the importance of preserving the grip as much as possible. It's actually the main thing that drew me to the sword & I'll be darned if I fail as its custodian. I will most certainly keep everyone updated.

22nd March 2023, 04:13 PM	#7
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 553	Given that there is a single turkshead knot remaining and it is painted black, my guess would be that that rapier would've originally had a wire wrap and the textile is a later replacement.