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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
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for years, i've been looking for a barung similar to this. not only are they hard to find, but when they do pop up, it's normally four figures...
well, my search is over. picked one up in Baltimore among European sabers. since it wasn't in the best condition, mr. seller decided to sell it for a song. whoever tried to fix it decided to use gorilla glue, and for some reason, decided to shave the ukkil at the bottom. fortunately whoever did it decided to leave a small part of the ukkil design intact. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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so first order of the day was to etch it....
blade is high quality, most likely chinese made. it has a real faint chopmark on side. pleasantly surprised to see patterns pop out. what got me is the somewhat similar to a katana's hamon. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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so finally it's back to it's former glory. ivory fixed, blade etched and metal shined. even found an extra scabbard that fit. it's just a matter re-wrapping it with rattan binds. as a plus, i found out using Weiman Silver Polish on ivory brings out the luster...
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#4 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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Very nice Ron, congrats.
Nice restoration as well... ![]() |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 60
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good evening, in mind that till now every barongblade i encounterd in its original condition it was polished like hell. i have read that by certain weapons as barongs, kamilans and the moro-keris it was the pride of the maker to polish them up so highly as possible. in thirty years looking at barongs in the netherlands not one was etched.I do not understand where this idee comes from to treat these barongblades with acids?they are not kerisblades which where washed in a ritual with a purpose. in my opinion they where always clean, sturdy and glittering in the sun. Maybe someone knows more details. thanks iskender
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#6 |
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thanks. normally, i'm not a big proponent of making up an ukkil just to make it complete. luckily, a set was left off close to the pommel and it's just a matter of repeating the pattern.
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#7 |
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iskender, not necessarily. in the jungle, it's counter-intuitive to have a shiny blade. on some of the blades, they even have patterns, much like an indonesian keris. i'm posting one as an example. as far as barungs, kris and such, they weren't washed like the keris, although back in the old day, i was told that coconut oil was used to these blades. over time it etches the blade, bringing out the pattern. nowadays the most common acid that's used to bring out the pattern is your household vinegar...
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jan 2016
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thanks , it gives sense , that cleaning a patternwelded blade in coconutsapp will show the pattern over time . as for the aspect living in the jungle these people had a very highstanding culture with agriculture,fishing gold and ironwork, trade , the larger fightingknives and swords ,parang, piras.ect. where manly for war and robbery in large groups or families in a clanwar.It was surly also a big showoff item when these guys went to drink and gamble in the lokal hangoutplaces. i think , there was no intention of the moros to darken a blade for camouflage in the night.for so far a nice barong is always a enjoyment to the eye. thanks for showing your outstanding repair on a interesting nice piece ,complements for your skill iskender
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,324
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Congrats with your find Ron!
For sure an amazing barong, and a very good restoration job! I'm sure it is in good hands now! :-) Kind regards, Maurice |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
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Great restoration Ron....back to its former glory is right! Terrific piece! I am amazed not only by the quality of the restoration, but the speed with which it was done.
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#11 |
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 373
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Wow. Nice piece and excellent restoration. Congrats!
What did you use to etch the blade? I am guessing you did not use a resist? |
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#12 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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Well Ron, this turned out to be a really nice piece!
Much better than when I saw it in Baltimore! And Iskender, there are pictures of Moros brandishing kris and other weapons, with dark etched blades. |
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#13 |
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Harry, i used my wife's vinegar, lol. micro it for a minute, then add a couple drops of dishwashing soap. no harsh chemicals were used.
thanks Jose! i saw a lot of potential with this barung |
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#14 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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What a fine score and addition to your collection Ron, especially after the wonderful restoration work. You did a great job of carving and replacing the missing ukkil as well as bringing out the pattern in the blade.
Best, Robert |
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#15 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,167
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Very nice, Ron. Your collection continues to grow with more and more fine pieces.
![]() Ian. |
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#16 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
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CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT FIND AND KUDOS FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT RESTORATION FEW COULD HAVE DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE PIECES OF IVORY AND TWO PIECES OF HORN OR IF THE HORN WAS APPLIED AS STRIPS IN GROOVES IN THE IVORY.? ITS UNUSUAL IN EITHER CASE. NOW YOU GUYS WITH IVORY HANDLED MORO WEAPONS CAN WEAR THEM AT LOUISVILLE SHOW AND PLAY DATU
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#17 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Hello Ron,
like all others have said already, very nice barong and great restoration at the ivory pommel. Would you willing to tell us how it was done? Which glue, reclacement piece ivory also, details of the new done carving and so on. I personally would have polished the blade a little bit more but that is a matter of opinion. Great luck to find a matching scabbard. Congrats for this nice find and great job! ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#18 |
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 456
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Hey Ron,
Yes, as Charles said, it looks great. Beautiful restoration, glad to see it brought back... and in appreciative, informed hands! Well done! Oliver |
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#19 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
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#20 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
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#21 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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Ho Spunjer, Amazing work, job well done all around!
Pretty gutsy using silver polish on Ivory, I've never heard of it. Thanks for sharing. |
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