A Saturday afternoon African riddle

Martin Lubojacky · 27th March 2012, 11:18 AM

Hi Iain,
Regarding the hilt, I would suggest to clean it with soft brass brush in hot water solution of soda saleratus in aluminium pot (mechanical cleaning + electrolytical reaction). You would remove all impurities and the surface would have uniform, not shiny colour (it could be shiny immediately after the cleaning, but it would receive soft yellow colour in a few days again, after such treatement).
Regards,
Martin

Iain · 27th March 2012, 11:26 AM

Hi Martin,

I will maybe try it. I am undecided if I prefer to leave it looking old with this patina so it will match the blade better (since the blade will never look perfect I think)?

Do you have some suggestion where to find the brass brushes in CZ?

Martin Lubojacky · 27th March 2012, 12:35 PM

Any hardware store (or OBI, Hornbach etc), but you also need more gentle brushes, so it is better to contact suppliers of goldsmiths through internet (you will "google" it). Goldsmiths use iron brushes, but very very soft ones(and also expensive in comparision what you can find in hardware store)
Regards,
Martin

Iain · 27th March 2012, 12:38 PM

Thanks Martin, I've tried looking in my local OBI before but never found anything soft enough. I will try with the jewelry suppliers online.

27th March 2012, 11:18 AM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Hi Iain, Regarding the hilt, I would suggest to clean it with soft brass brush in hot water solution of soda saleratus in aluminium pot (mechanical cleaning + electrolytical reaction). You would remove all impurities and the surface would have uniform, not shiny colour (it could be shiny immediately after the cleaning, but it would receive soft yellow colour in a few days again, after such treatement). Regards, Martin

27th March 2012, 11:26 AM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Hi Martin, I will maybe try it. I am undecided if I prefer to leave it looking old with this patina so it will match the blade better (since the blade will never look perfect I think)? Do you have some suggestion where to find the brass brushes in CZ?

27th March 2012, 12:35 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 845	Any hardware store (or OBI, Hornbach etc), but you also need more gentle brushes, so it is better to contact suppliers of goldsmiths through internet (you will "google" it). Goldsmiths use iron brushes, but very very soft ones(and also expensive in comparision what you can find in hardware store) Regards, Martin

27th March 2012, 12:38 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	Thanks Martin, I've tried looking in my local OBI before but never found anything soft enough. I will try with the jewelry suppliers online.