In very rusty condition ...but is this a Khanda??

Ian · 2nd March 2007, 04:35 PM

Hi katana:

Cleaning heavily rusted steel is always a challenge. One method that I have found very useful at times is mild abrasive blasting using an agent that is not likely to remove the underlying metal. This excludes potent abrasive materials like sand. It is possible to use peanut shells and other organic matter, or a proporietary product such as "Black Beauty." I put masking tape over delicate areas such as koftgari to prevent them being hit by the abrasive as it may dislodge delicate koftgari work or loose inlaid pieces -- hand rubbing is safer.

Of course, you need an abrasive blasting cabinet with good ventilation. I have a friend who lets me use his cabinet -- lucky me -- but if you also have access to such a cabinet it can save hours of hard work and creates a matt finish on the metal after rust removal. I always polish by hand afterwards and use no power tools.

Good luck with that project. I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised.

Pukka Bundook · 6th March 2007, 01:31 PM

Hi Katana.
How's the cleaning coming along?
Have you found a source for "metal etch" yet?
I'm still looking for a local source, but I'm in western Canada.

I know what you mean about it "appreciating' the cleaning,...........
But if they Do haul you off to the 'funny farm'.....Can I have it?!?

katana · 8th March 2007, 07:26 PM

Hi Jens,
thanks for your suggestions.....I have further cleaned the blade...but I do not want to go 'too far'. There is still pitting on the blade but feel that removing all the 'pits' would mean removing too much metal. I appreciate that if I etch now, it would not be perfect, but feel it would be worthwhile as the blade will still show its age and the blade construction.
Is it a good idea ???

Hi Ian,
thanks for the info, unfortunately I do not have access to suitable cabinet Would have certainly saved some 'elbow grease'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Hi Katana.
I know what you mean about it "appreciating' the cleaning,...........
But if they Do haul you off to the 'funny farm'.....Can I have it?!?

Hi Richard,
I may be mad....but I'm not insane.........YET

...
Cleaning seems to be coming on well.....the hilt has been a major headache...trying to preserve the remaining koftgari has been almost impossible a lot of the remaining gold was 'held' in the rust (the rust must have got behind it and lifted it).

Hi Spiral,
your suggestion of using 'baby oil' was a good one, thanks

. I have also used it to lubricate the abrasive paper. Several advantages... it is 'kind' to your hands (mine are now lovely and soft

So if the Mrs complains about her dry hands, this is the way to get her to clean your blades

).
And as it is colourless, it is clear when first applied and darkens as you clean ...giving a good 'indication' as to how much dirt/rust you are removing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hello David, I'm sure that after a lot of work you will be very happy of this piece!! Good job!!!

Hi Flavio, thankyou, I am very pleased with this sword.

I have posted some pics....not best quality....

Jens Nordlunde · 8th March 2007, 08:41 PM

Katana,

You have done a very good job, and I know about the work behind what you have done, but when you see the finish – it is worth all the work.

When a weapon is very rusty, and you try to clean it, you will unfortunately loose a lot, if not all, of the decoration, that being kroft gari or inlay, as the rust has gotten unter the decoration, and I kow that it is a rotten dession to make – do I want to clean the blade and loose what is left of the decoration, or do I leave it as it is.

You have done it well, but I think, that I for my own curiossity, would try to etch part of the blade – just to know – it is removeable.

Jens

katana · 9th March 2007, 01:18 PM

Thanks for your comments Jens. Your are right about the decoration, I am certain that there was some decorative etching to the blade....but the rust had all but destroyed it (not enough to 'work out' what it could be)

and now the cleaning has totally removed it all.
I may be lucky, perhaps there may be a chance that after an etch there may be some 'shadows' of these designs......but I'm not 'holding my breath'

Hopefully, my next pictures will show a wootz pattern.......

katana · 17th March 2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Hopefully, my next pictures will show a wootz pattern.......

Well this is as far as I have got ( and not through lack of effort either)
I feel that I will not be able to remove all the pits without removing too much thickness from the blade. So , other than the final 'sanding' with the finer grades of paper I will not be 'cleaning' anymore. Pictures below show the best side of the blade, the other side is more deeply pitted but should still look OK when etched.
Finding etchant (in small quantities...... has been difficult...but now have some on order) So hopefully mid week I will get to see that 'WOOTZ'

Now, I really need to find more info on this Khanda.....it has been suggested that this could be an early example....has anyone got any ideas as to date, region etc.........I would be greatly appreciated

Regards David

Jens Nordlunde · 17th March 2007, 10:35 PM

Katana,
Funny to se a ricasso on the blade, I did not see it before. I think it may be a Rajasthan khanda, and I believe it has quite some age to it, how much, I will let others be the judges of that.

2nd March 2007, 04:35 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Nice old warrior! Hi katana: Cleaning heavily rusted steel is always a challenge. One method that I have found very useful at times is mild abrasive blasting using an agent that is not likely to remove the underlying metal. This excludes potent abrasive materials like sand. It is possible to use peanut shells and other organic matter, or a proporietary product such as "Black Beauty." I put masking tape over delicate areas such as koftgari to prevent them being hit by the abrasive as it may dislodge delicate koftgari work or loose inlaid pieces -- hand rubbing is safer. Of course, you need an abrasive blasting cabinet with good ventilation. I have a friend who lets me use his cabinet -- lucky me -- but if you also have access to such a cabinet it can save hours of hard work and creates a matt finish on the metal after rust removal. I always polish by hand afterwards and use no power tools. Good luck with that project. I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised.

6th March 2007, 01:31 PM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Hi Katana. How's the cleaning coming along? Have you found a source for "metal etch" yet? I'm still looking for a local source, but I'm in western Canada. I know what you mean about it "appreciating' the cleaning,........... But if they Do haul you off to the 'funny farm'.....Can I have it?!?

8th March 2007, 08:41 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Katana, You have done a very good job, and I know about the work behind what you have done, but when you see the finish – it is worth all the work. When a weapon is very rusty, and you try to clean it, you will unfortunately loose a lot, if not all, of the decoration, that being kroft gari or inlay, as the rust has gotten unter the decoration, and I kow that it is a rotten dession to make – do I want to clean the blade and loose what is left of the decoration, or do I leave it as it is. You have done it well, but I think, that I for my own curiossity, would try to etch part of the blade – just to know – it is removeable. Jens

9th March 2007, 01:18 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks for your comments Jens. Your are right about the decoration, I am certain that there was some decorative etching to the blade....but the rust had all but destroyed it (not enough to 'work out' what it could be) and now the cleaning has totally removed it all. I may be lucky, perhaps there may be a chance that after an etch there may be some 'shadows' of these designs......but I'm not 'holding my breath' Hopefully, my next pictures will show a wootz pattern.......

17th March 2007, 10:35 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Katana, Funny to se a ricasso on the blade, I did not see it before. I think it may be a Rajasthan khanda, and I believe it has quite some age to it, how much, I will let others be the judges of that.