The Cleaning of Blades

jagabuwana · 24th May 2018, 11:50 AM

Would be interesting to see your post-etching results, Rick.

Rick · 24th May 2018, 02:01 PM

Yes it would; if I had anything that could produce a warangan type of etch.

I'm reasonably happy just to see a contrast between the metals; the EPA doesn't want me to possess arsenic trioxide.

David · 24th May 2018, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Yes it would; if I had anything that could produce a warangan type of etch.

I'm reasonably happy just to see a contrast between the metals; the EPA doesn't want me to possess arsenic trioxide.

Though i do believe you said you were going to try a solution of strong coffee, though perhaps "etch" is not the correct word for such a bath. At least i hope not since i am bathing my stomach in some pretty strong coffee right now. LOL!

Rick · 24th May 2018, 05:31 PM

I bought a small jar of instant and made a paste, applied it to the blade and all that happened was an increase in contrast between the pamor and the core.

Not really worth belaboring the board with another tombak picture..

Fernando K · 24th May 2018, 08:36 PM

Hello everyone

The only way to remove the oxide is the electrolysis and the zinc-soda method, without attacking the base metal (iron or steel). It is the method used in the museums (besides the ultra-sound) and in the objects recovered from the sea

Affectionately. Fernando

David · 24th May 2018, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fernando K

Hello everyone

The only way to remove the oxide is the electrolysis and the zinc-soda method, without attacking the base metal (iron or steel). It is the method used in the museums (besides the ultra-sound) and in the objects recovered from the sea

Affectionately. Fernando

Forgive me Fernando, but i become highly skeptical whenever anyone starts a sentence with "the only way to..."

I do see from a search of the "zinc-soda" method that you have been informing these forums of this "only" method since 2011. In fact you seem to be the "only" person to have mentioned it over the years on our forums. However, each time all i can find is a mention of the name and no description of the process. Have you personally used this method? If so, can you describe the steps? Thanks!

A. G. Maisey · 24th May 2018, 10:13 PM

David, I believe that from the perspective of the curation of highly valuable objects, that perhaps Fernando is correct in his claim that electrolysis is the only way to remove corrosion on ferric material without in some way affecting the material.

I have had people send me descriptions of how they have used this method, I have had discussions with a couple of museum curators on the pros and cons of using it, and I think that there was a lengthy discussion on its use in this Forum some years ago.

In short, I know about it, but I have never used it, and I doubt that I ever will.

Why would I not use such an apparently excellent method?

Simply because compared with the method I have used for more than 60 years it is too much trouble, and for the type of things I need to clean there is no material advantage.

If I needed to clean a very old, very valuable, very fragile, irreplaceable artifact, I would probably investigate the electrolysis method and consider using it. But for the type I things I need to clean, I consider this state of the art method to be unnecessary.

So I do not use it, for much the same reason that I do not use cabinet maker's tools to replace a paling in a fence:- it is overkill.

24th May 2018, 05:31 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	No Big Deal I bought a small jar of instant and made a paste, applied it to the blade and all that happened was an increase in contrast between the pamor and the core. Not really worth belaboring the board with another tombak picture..

24th May 2018, 11:50 AM	#1
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 290	Would be interesting to see your post-etching results, Rick.

24th May 2018, 02:01 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Yes it would; if I had anything that could produce a warangan type of etch. I'm reasonably happy just to see a contrast between the metals; the EPA doesn't want me to possess arsenic trioxide.

24th May 2018, 08:36 PM	#5
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 671	Hello everyone The only way to remove the oxide is the electrolysis and the zinc-soda method, without attacking the base metal (iron or steel). It is the method used in the museums (besides the ultra-sound) and in the objects recovered from the sea Affectionately. Fernando

24th May 2018, 10:13 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	David, I believe that from the perspective of the curation of highly valuable objects, that perhaps Fernando is correct in his claim that electrolysis is the only way to remove corrosion on ferric material without in some way affecting the material. I have had people send me descriptions of how they have used this method, I have had discussions with a couple of museum curators on the pros and cons of using it, and I think that there was a lengthy discussion on its use in this Forum some years ago. In short, I know about it, but I have never used it, and I doubt that I ever will. Why would I not use such an apparently excellent method? Simply because compared with the method I have used for more than 60 years it is too much trouble, and for the type of things I need to clean there is no material advantage. If I needed to clean a very old, very valuable, very fragile, irreplaceable artifact, I would probably investigate the electrolysis method and consider using it. But for the type I things I need to clean, I consider this state of the art method to be unnecessary. So I do not use it, for much the same reason that I do not use cabinet maker's tools to replace a paling in a fence:- it is overkill.