New bolo - dahong palay & leather cleaning advice?

wildwolberine · 20th July 2023, 09:58 PM

New bolo! Kind of an impulse buy but I’m really pleased. Very similar to one i just posted (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28986). Xasterix kindly IDd that knife as a sinanbartolome profile from Laguna province, Luzon. Different maker’s mark (a “B” instead of a horizontal “P”), and the blade profile is more of a dahong palay?

Carabao hilt, through-tang (peened over), brass ferrule. There’s a tiny hole neatly drilled through the hilt, it must be for a lanyard as it couldn’t be insect damage). Leather sheath with attached belt. Thin, tapered blade. It does seem to have a chisel grind but it’s thin and hard to tell.

These are before-cleaning pics. Will clean the blade with WD-40 and 0000 steel wool and treat the horn with Hooflex. That’s duct tape residue on the leather. Any advice on removing it?

Age probably midcentury? Thanks!

Dimensions: 56 cm overall length, 41 cm by 4 cm blade.

RobT · 21st July 2023, 12:31 AM

Hi wildwolberine,

Does the hole in the hilt go all the way through? I ask this because, from your photo, it would seem to be drilled where the tang is. If it doesn't go all the way through, then it might have been drilled for a metal bail.

Sincerely,
RobT

Rick · 21st July 2023, 12:38 AM

Try Goo Gone adhesive remover; it's orange oil based.

wildwolberine · 21st July 2023, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi wildwolberine,

Does the hole in the hilt go all the way through? I ask this because, from your photo, it would seem to be drilled where the tang is. If it doesn't go all the way through, then it might have been drilled for a metal bail.

Sincerely,
RobT

Yes, it’s drilled through. Looks like it’s just below the tang.

wildwolberine · 21st July 2023, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Try Goo Gone adhesive remover; it's orange oil based.

Thanks! I think I have a bottle somewhere. I ordered a bottle of glycerine saddle soap, I may give that a shot first.

Rick · 21st July 2023, 07:22 AM

Doubt the glycerine saddle soap will remove the mastic maybe soften it; try the goo gone after the saddlesoap.
Leather Therapy is a very good product for preserving suppleness and preventing drying and shrinkage.

20th July 2023, 09:58 PM	#1
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 110	New bolo - dahong palay & leather cleaning advice? New bolo! Kind of an impulse buy but I’m really pleased. Very similar to one i just posted (http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28986). Xasterix kindly IDd that knife as a sinanbartolome profile from Laguna province, Luzon. Different maker’s mark (a “B” instead of a horizontal “P”), and the blade profile is more of a dahong palay? Carabao hilt, through-tang (peened over), brass ferrule. There’s a tiny hole neatly drilled through the hilt, it must be for a lanyard as it couldn’t be insect damage). Leather sheath with attached belt. Thin, tapered blade. It does seem to have a chisel grind but it’s thin and hard to tell. These are before-cleaning pics. Will clean the blade with WD-40 and 0000 steel wool and treat the horn with Hooflex. That’s duct tape residue on the leather. Any advice on removing it? Age probably midcentury? Thanks! Dimensions: 56 cm overall length, 41 cm by 4 cm blade. Attached Images Last edited by wildwolberine; 20th July 2023 at 11:40 PM. Reason: Added notes on blade grind

21st July 2023, 12:31 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 493	Bail? Hi wildwolberine, Does the hole in the hilt go all the way through? I ask this because, from your photo, it would seem to be drilled where the tang is. If it doesn't go all the way through, then it might have been drilled for a metal bail. Sincerely, RobT

21st July 2023, 07:22 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	YMMV Doubt the glycerine saddle soap will remove the mastic maybe soften it; try the goo gone after the saddlesoap. Leather Therapy is a very good product for preserving suppleness and preventing drying and shrinkage.

21st July 2023, 12:38 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Try Goo Gone adhesive remover; it's orange oil based.