Roman Dagger Restoration

ALEX · 24th February 2020, 10:38 AM

Here is the ARTICLE LINK that allegedly shows before and after photos of a relic Roman dagger. The found relic looked like a mass of corroded and deformed iron, and the end result shows most decorations intact. This is astonishing, and took 9 months. I am curious how was it possible to remove such advanced rust without damaging the inlay?

mariusgmioc · 24th February 2020, 10:51 AM

Wow! Wouldn't have thought it was possible.

NeilUK · 24th February 2020, 01:31 PM

That is almost unbelievable! I assume that for the 9 months it was soaking in some solution which dissolved the rust without affecting the original surface. Is the blade still intact? Can it be withdrawn from the sheath? Amazing.

ALEX · 24th February 2020, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilUK

That is almost unbelievable! I assume that for the 9 months it was soaking in some solution which dissolved the rust without affecting the original surface. Is the blade still intact? Can it be withdrawn from the sheath? Amazing.

Unbelievable indeed, the blade is intact and fully functioning... and it comes with the original belt!

Rick · 24th February 2020, 05:43 PM

An electrolysis bath can remove rust very efficiently; and when the rust has gone there is no further degradation to the iron that is revealed.

vilhelmsson · 24th February 2020, 06:05 PM

Check out the video at the bottom of this link of Vegard Vike's conservation of the Langeid Sword:

https://www.khm.uio.no/english/resea...m-langeid.html

I think this kind of work often requires mechanical cleaning like his micro chisel.

TVV · 24th February 2020, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vilhelmsson

Check out the video at the bottom of this link of Vegard Vike's conservation of the Langeid Sword:

https://www.khm.uio.no/english/resea...m-langeid.html

I think this kind of work often requires mechanical cleaning like his micro chisel.

This is my understanding as well - the cleaning needs to be done with a small drill and done slowly and carefully. Here is another video of a clean up, which preserves the silver decoration under all the rust deposits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw02-fWTJF4

vilhelmsson · 24th February 2020, 07:22 PM

I forgot to add: that is stunningly beautiful!

adrian · 24th February 2020, 07:48 PM

I find it very difficult to believe that the 'before' and 'after' photos are of the same item & strongly suspect that there has been a mistake made in that article.

fernando · 24th February 2020, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrian

I find it very difficult to believe that the 'before' and 'after' photos are of the same item & strongly suspect that there has been a mistake made in that article.

AMEN !!!

vilhelmsson · 24th February 2020, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrian

I find it very difficult to believe that the 'before' and 'after' photos are of the same item & strongly suspect that there has been a mistake made in that article.

Checkout the video on the cleaning of the Langeid Sword. Underneath that lump of rust is perhaps the most beautiful surviving Viking Age hilt in near perfect condition. And Vegard is meticulous in his documentation.

It's in very similar condition to this Roman dagger.

Battara · 25th February 2020, 04:46 AM

mariusgmioc · 25th February 2020, 06:13 AM

Yet, to my aging eyes, seems to be some slight discrepancies between the dimmensional proportions of the rusty piece and the final result. Like for example the width of the front bolster vs. the length of the hilt, or the hanging loops...

Anyhow... I am a quite skeptical about the accuracy of this article.

24th February 2020, 10:38 AM	#1
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Roman Dagger Restoration Here is the ARTICLE LINK that allegedly shows before and after photos of a relic Roman dagger. The found relic looked like a mass of corroded and deformed iron, and the end result shows most decorations intact. This is astonishing, and took 9 months. I am curious how was it possible to remove such advanced rust without damaging the inlay? Attached Images

25th February 2020, 06:13 AM	#13
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Yet, to my aging eyes, seems to be some slight discrepancies between the dimmensional proportions of the rusty piece and the final result. Like for example the width of the front bolster vs. the length of the hilt, or the hanging loops... Anyhow... I am a quite skeptical about the accuracy of this article. Last edited by mariusgmioc; 25th February 2020 at 07:38 AM.

24th February 2020, 10:51 AM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Wow! Wouldn't have thought it was possible.

24th February 2020, 01:31 PM	#3
NeilUK Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scotland Posts: 125	That is almost unbelievable! I assume that for the 9 months it was soaking in some solution which dissolved the rust without affecting the original surface. Is the blade still intact? Can it be withdrawn from the sheath? Amazing.

24th February 2020, 05:43 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	An electrolysis bath can remove rust very efficiently; and when the rust has gone there is no further degradation to the iron that is revealed.

24th February 2020, 06:05 PM	#6
vilhelmsson Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Bay Area Posts: 57	Check out the video at the bottom of this link of Vegard Vike's conservation of the Langeid Sword: https://www.khm.uio.no/english/resea...m-langeid.html I think this kind of work often requires mechanical cleaning like his micro chisel.

24th February 2020, 07:22 PM	#8
vilhelmsson Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Bay Area Posts: 57	I forgot to add: that is stunningly beautiful!

24th February 2020, 07:48 PM	#9
adrian Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 125	I find it very difficult to believe that the 'before' and 'after' photos are of the same item & strongly suspect that there has been a mistake made in that article.

25th February 2020, 04:46 AM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226