New Hebridean club

Tim Simmons · 25th July 2011, 07:35 PM

This club was entomb in varnish. The hardest I have ever encounterd. It really looked a sorry sight. After a 2-3 hours work it is looking good. The varnish was so difficult to remove I wonder is the patination under the varnish suffered a little. On the other hand it may not have been heavily patinated at the time of collection. If varnished not long after collection it would not recieve further handing patination.

Just over 40 inches long. Both the club shown were released from varnish entombment.

Robert · 25th July 2011, 08:39 PM

Great looking clubs Tim. And a great job in removing the old varnish. I would be interested in knowing what you used to remove the varnish on these two, denatured alcohol, paint stripper or something else? A wonderful new addition to your ever growing collection.

Robert

Sajen · 25th July 2011, 09:17 PM

Special the more simple carved club seems to have a nice patination. Two nice clubs, congrats!

Regards,

Detlef

katana · 26th July 2011, 02:44 AM

Looks really good Tim ...congrats.

I'm glad that Tim posted the double ended club ...has anyone any information as to the techniques of use ...the martial arts of Oceania are not well documented.

Kind Regards David

Indianajones · 26th July 2011, 11:10 AM

Hello, one can easily remove varnish -indeed- with paintstripper. This is very chemical and biting substance, BUT the good thing is it only reacts with the applied varnish and NOT with natural substance (like wood n patine). Though with taking off the shrumbled residu and dissolved varnish it is very dificult -to my experience- to not effect the patine. I wash the residu off with hot water and dry immediately (otherwise the wood stains). One can also perhaps let the chemical residu dry totally until it can be taken off without using water, but I have never tried this actually (too impatience!).

Perhaps an (unorthodox) tip to regain some shine without using wax; take some big plantleaves and rub those in until they are smudgy and dirty looking. How strange it sounds; it leaves a natural plantoil behind; a very subtle and natural shine. I understand your sceptisism (I would be too); try it out on another piece of wood first.

Hopefully my experience is a help to any reader?!
My best tip for those restaurers; 'better think it out carefully, before you damage items permanently!'

fearn · 26th July 2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Looks really good Tim ...congrats.

I'm glad that Tim posted the double ended club ...has anyone any information as to the techniques of use ...the martial arts of Oceania are not well documented.

Kind Regards David

Perhaps something akin to the martial art referred to in this discussion? I know it's not from New Hebrides, but people got around.

F

Tim Simmons · 27th July 2011, 07:58 AM

Thank you fearn, this link had entered my mind-

http://books.google.com/books?id=HtI...%20art&f=false

I have recently heard the small Australian double pointed sticks named as "spindle clubs" To me they are more of a double ended hand spear stabbing weapon. They are not really long enough to be a two handed weapon.

The large club would be perfect for the fighting style "fearn" very studioulsy brought to our attention. I say it is New Hebriean as it appears to fit and display aspects similar to other New Hebridean club forms. This could be wrong? I do not know? All the referance I have does not show a New Heb club with quite the same double point ends. Here is an illustration of the nearst form I can find, it is 9cm longer than the example I have. It seems likely New Heb but I would not be surprised if it was from a Micronesian island, after the article fearn gave notice to.

25th July 2011, 07:35 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	New Hebridean club This club was entomb in varnish. The hardest I have ever encounterd. It really looked a sorry sight. After a 2-3 hours work it is looking good. The varnish was so difficult to remove I wonder is the patination under the varnish suffered a little. On the other hand it may not have been heavily patinated at the time of collection. If varnished not long after collection it would not recieve further handing patination. Just over 40 inches long. Both the club shown were released from varnish entombment. Attached Images

27th July 2011, 07:58 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Thank you fearn, this link had entered my mind- http://books.google.com/books?id=HtI...%20art&f=false I have recently heard the small Australian double pointed sticks named as "spindle clubs" To me they are more of a double ended hand spear stabbing weapon. They are not really long enough to be a two handed weapon. The large club would be perfect for the fighting style "fearn" very studioulsy brought to our attention. I say it is New Hebriean as it appears to fit and display aspects similar to other New Hebridean club forms. This could be wrong? I do not know? All the referance I have does not show a New Heb club with quite the same double point ends. Here is an illustration of the nearst form I can find, it is 9cm longer than the example I have. It seems likely New Heb but I would not be surprised if it was from a Micronesian island, after the article fearn gave notice to. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 27th July 2011 at 08:20 AM.

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25th July 2011, 08:39 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Great looking clubs Tim. And a great job in removing the old varnish. I would be interested in knowing what you used to remove the varnish on these two, denatured alcohol, paint stripper or something else? A wonderful new addition to your ever growing collection. Robert

25th July 2011, 09:17 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Special the more simple carved club seems to have a nice patination. Two nice clubs, congrats! Regards, Detlef

26th July 2011, 02:44 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Looks really good Tim ...congrats. I'm glad that Tim posted the double ended club ...has anyone any information as to the techniques of use ...the martial arts of Oceania are not well documented. Kind Regards David

26th July 2011, 11:10 AM	#5
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hello, one can easily remove varnish -indeed- with paintstripper. This is very chemical and biting substance, BUT the good thing is it only reacts with the applied varnish and NOT with natural substance (like wood n patine). Though with taking off the shrumbled residu and dissolved varnish it is very dificult -to my experience- to not effect the patine. I wash the residu off with hot water and dry immediately (otherwise the wood stains). One can also perhaps let the chemical residu dry totally until it can be taken off without using water, but I have never tried this actually (too impatience!). Perhaps an (unorthodox) tip to regain some shine without using wax; take some big plantleaves and rub those in until they are smudgy and dirty looking. How strange it sounds; it leaves a natural plantoil behind; a very subtle and natural shine. I understand your sceptisism (I would be too); try it out on another piece of wood first. Hopefully my experience is a help to any reader?! My best tip for those restaurers; 'better think it out carefully, before you damage items permanently!'