When a keris handle will not move it could be because of a number of reasons:-
it might be glued in place with a traditional adhesive
it might be glued in place with a modern adhesive, such as araldite
it might be rusted onto the binding of tang used to achieve a pressure fit
it might be rusted to the handle itself.
I suggest that you firstly try wrapping some cloth around the blade so you can grip it, then trying to twist the handle backwards and forth. Start gently and gradually increase pressure. If you can get just a little bit of movement you may find that you can gradually improve this.
If this does not work you must heat the sorsoran area of the blade gently, hold the blade a few inches back from the heat and don't let it get hotter than is comfortable for your hand, continually retry to twist the handle.
It is sometimes useful to let it heat up, let it cool down and then reheat a few times.
For a heat source I suggest you use a small kerosene lamp or a candle.
The risks you run are these:- if you force the handle too much you can break the tang; this is not a total disaster but its not good. Tangs can be repaired.
You may alter the appearance of the blade stain where it has been heated. This is not certain, but it is a possibility. If this happens you need to do a complete strip and restain.
This is an old ivory handle. You run the risk of splitting the handle when you twist, or having it completely come apart in your hand. There is the possibility that the seller used araldite to stabilise a handle that was on the edge of falling apart.
I suggest you consider the risks before deciding how to proceed.
|