Atayal Knife

[drac2k]

JeffS, I've been reading about your progress in the cleaning of your very nice and rare sword, and the only advice that I feel qualified to give you is"DO NOT REMOVE THE STAPLES."They will break, the wood will splinter and they will never go back in the way they came out. I would gently use the brass casing first and then sandpaper; make sure that the metal strips are supported from the underside as you softly apply pressure from the top.

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by drac2k

JeffS, I've been reading about your progress in the cleaning of your very nice and rare sword, and the only advice that I feel qualified to give you is"DO NOT REMOVE THE STAPLES."They will break, the wood will splinter and they will never go back in the way they came out. I would gently use the brass casing first and then sandpaper; make sure that the metal strips are supported from the underside as you softly apply pressure from the top.

Good advice on supporting the staples from underneath. I hope to be able to remove the active rust but not lose all the dark patina.

[kahnjar1]

I agree with Drac. I had not thought of the staples being brittle. Leave them in and support from underneath.
Stu

[JeffS]

Here it is after finishing rust removal, oiling dry stuff and fixing cracks. Also, below is a close-up of blade detail. It looks like a layered construction versus an inserted edge to my novice eye. I find the perpendicular gaps interesting that track some of the layers.

[kahnjar1]

Hi JeffS,
What a difference!! Great job if I may say so.
Stu

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi JeffS,
What a difference!! Great job if I may say so.
Stu

Thank you for all of the help Stu!

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by JeffS

Thank you for all of the help Stu!

You are very welcome. Feel free to PM me if you need any other help.
Stu