Searching for a Coftgari artist in Europe

mariusgmioc · 19th August 2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hi Detlef my friend,

yes they are from rhino horn but totally corroded, partially almost mineralized.

I'm still unsure whether I make them from buffalo horn or grenadill ebony wood. Grenadill is much more beautiful than buffalo horn but I afraid not really traditional.

Regards,
Roland

Hello Roland,

Fantastic blade and in very good condition. But didn't see too much of the koftgari.

Maybe Grenadil is not traditional, but I have certainly seen Kilij swords with antique wooden scales, although the scales may have been old replacements as well. So maybe dark dyed walnut or ebony would be better than grenadil.

The problem with buffalo horn is that it would be rather difficult to find the adequate size and quality in Europe. You may need to look to Nepal or India for replacements.

Roland_M · 19th August 2016, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello Roland,

Fantastic blade and in very good condition. But didn't see too much of the koftgari.

Maybe Grenadil is not traditional, but I have certainly seen Kilij swords with antique wooden scales, although the scales may have been old replacements as well. So maybe dark dyed walnut or ebony would be better than grenadil.

The problem with buffalo horn is that it would be rather difficult to find the adequate size and quality in Europe. You may need to look to Nepal or India for replacements.

Hi Marius,

I have this very old wooden club. The wood is heavy, dense and has a fantastic color, perfect for the Pala. Very simpel and archaic shape. But it is a very old (up to hundreds of years old) and very rare club, so I think the club is too good for that purpose.
The club still has an old inhabitant, a mummified maggot, which was trapped inside by a resin cover. The resin cover got lost during exercising and the maggot mummy "saw" the first daylight after maybe 500 years

.

What do you think is it a sacrilege?

Sajen · 19th August 2016, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roland_M

What do you think is it a sacrilege?

Yes!!!

Sajen · 19th August 2016, 03:11 PM

It don't will be a great deal to get black horn in the correct size!

Roland_M · 19th August 2016, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes!!!

Sure, I will not touch the club.

It was just because such a fantastic russet ebony wood is unavailable nowadays.

Roland_M · 19th August 2016, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello Roland,

Fantastic blade and in very good condition. But didn't see too much of the koftgari.

Hello Marius,

this is all what's left over. Enough Information for a new koftgari.

mariusgmioc · 19th August 2016, 04:43 PM

Well, I don't know if it is sufficient information for new Koftgari. It seems to be rather faint to me.

As with regards to the scales, while ebony may be hard to find, you certainly have alternatives to the grenadil. Walnut is rather easy to find. Mahogany and palisander are also quite easy to get from old, broken furniture. In the end, I guess that any kind of hardwod would do since it can be dyed to look almost like ebony, but...

... probably will look better with black buffalo horn.

David · 20th August 2016, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Well, I don't know if it is sufficient information for new Koftgari. It seems to be rather faint to me.

Personally i would have to agree with Marius on this one. While i do understand that we all have our own ideas as to what restoration is i don't see that you really have enough of the koftgari left on this blade to legitimately "return" it to its past splendor. It would be very unlikely the whatever pattern you would have an artist place on this blade would be anything like what was there before. So you would not be "restoring" the blade in that context, but inventing it anew. It's yours to do with as you please i suppose, but that might be somewhat misleading to the next generations that might become its caretaker in the future.

ariel · 20th August 2016, 02:44 AM

I agree. New koftgari will stick out as a sre thumb. It will be not authentic.
Same with the handle. This sword has history in it. Do not destroy it.

Rick · 20th August 2016, 04:02 AM

Well, if you really must; maybe something to inspire the artist whoever he might be?
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=kilij

A. G. Maisey · 20th August 2016, 05:28 AM

If you want good quality black ebony, I suggest that you do the rounds of musical instrument makers, especially stringed instrument maker.

EDIT

See item 75, "Imported Timbers ---"

http://www.trendtimbers.com.au/complete-timber-list.php

I have dealt with these people in the past, they have always been obliging and cooperative.. Quite simply, they are timber fanatics.

You could try these people too, going back a few years I was able to buy some very large slabs of ebony from them.

http://anagote.com/timbers-sydney/

asomotif · 20th August 2016, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

I agree. New koftgari will stick out as a sre thumb. It will be not authentic.
Same with the handle. This sword has history in it. Do not destroy it.

Dear Ariel,

The hilt looks like relic state to me.

What do you suggest ?

ariel · 20th August 2016, 03:44 PM

Not only relic: ruined.

But the attraction is in the blade.
If one could fin a rhino handle ( by itself or on a cheap ruined blade), I would seriously consider using it. But making a new handle..... I am uncomfortable about it.
Just as drawing a new koftgari.

20th August 2016, 05:28 AM	#11
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	If you want good quality black ebony, I suggest that you do the rounds of musical instrument makers, especially stringed instrument maker. EDIT See item 75, "Imported Timbers ---" http://www.trendtimbers.com.au/complete-timber-list.php I have dealt with these people in the past, they have always been obliging and cooperative.. Quite simply, they are timber fanatics. You could try these people too, going back a few years I was able to buy some very large slabs of ebony from them. http://anagote.com/timbers-sydney/ Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 20th August 2016 at 01:34 PM.

19th August 2016, 03:11 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	It don't will be a great deal to get black horn in the correct size!

19th August 2016, 04:43 PM	#7
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Well, I don't know if it is sufficient information for new Koftgari. It seems to be rather faint to me. As with regards to the scales, while ebony may be hard to find, you certainly have alternatives to the grenadil. Walnut is rather easy to find. Mahogany and palisander are also quite easy to get from old, broken furniture. In the end, I guess that any kind of hardwod would do since it can be dyed to look almost like ebony, but... ... probably will look better with black buffalo horn.

20th August 2016, 02:44 AM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I agree. New koftgari will stick out as a sre thumb. It will be not authentic. Same with the handle. This sword has history in it. Do not destroy it.

20th August 2016, 04:02 AM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Well, if you really must; maybe something to inspire the artist whoever he might be? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=kilij

20th August 2016, 03:44 PM	#13
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Not only relic: ruined. But the attraction is in the blade. If one could fin a rhino handle ( by itself or on a cheap ruined blade), I would seriously consider using it. But making a new handle..... I am uncomfortable about it. Just as drawing a new koftgari.