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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 227
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First of all, sorry for the picture quality – I am still perfecting my photography skills. I just wanted to share one of my recent clean-up projects done in the past month. As you can see, this is a Qajar period small Indo-Persian axe with a hidden stiletto. It arrived covered in a thick layer of rust and grime. The goal was to remove the gunk without affecting the patina or the inlay. I think I did OK. What is your opinion? My only regret is having a bent tip on the top spike – I though of straightening it with a ballpeen hammer but I am afraid to cause further damage. Any pointers in regards to this would be appreciated.
BEFORE: Last edited by Stan S.; 9th December 2011 at 05:45 PM. |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 227
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AFTER:
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#3 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Wow! Great job Stan it came out great.
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 227
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![]() Basically, I start with scrubbing the item with abrassive steel wool of the gauge ranging from #00 to #2. I will use heavier grade on plain steel and finer grade on anything with coftgari, bone or wooden grips, etc. I have to say that I've developed a good eye for this sort of thing and will decide on scrubbing dry or with addition of WD-40 depending on the type of rust, it's "depth", and the overall condition of the weapon I am dealing with. In doing so I avoid letting any chemicals come in contact with anything other than metal or stone. Once the residual rust is off, I switch to scrubbing with NevrDull (this stuff is great!). NevrDull both cleans and polishes the metal. It has a tendency to leave a whitish reidue on some types of steel, and so in the end I wipe my item down with a paper towel soaked in mineral oil. I don't use wax, but will inspect and oil each piece in my collection once or twice a year if needed. That's all there is to it. Working on this axe for example took a total of 2 hours and some muscle. It could be done quicker if I didn't take any smoke breaks in between ![]() When it comes to restoration, I enjoy to learn new tricks and to experiment. For example, back in September I attempted to clean 2 old tulwars using lemon juice and vinegar. Both swords were in a near relic condition and were just a step above munion grade in quality, so I wasn't too concerned with damaging them. Unfortunately this experiment did not go too well. Perhaps I will share the "before and after" once I upload the pictures. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
Posts: 2,928
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Looks great Stan, Wire wool, WD40 and metal polish are things I always use too.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 227
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Thanks! I was always under an impresion that WD40 is known to damage certain compounds (including some metals). However, so far I am lucky enough to never experience this
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#8 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
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#10 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Salaams all ~ I forgot to add that the decoration is a good example of split palmette design and displaying the fleur de lys finials ... some contention as to where that originates but it occurs in European and Eastern weapon decoration. Trio in Juncta ? The Three Tribes of the Book etc.
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