Restoration Workshop Library.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by RDGAC

A fair concern, David, but I suspect (sadly) that any "trade secrets" held on this board are already out in the hands of fakers and charlatans anyway; this being a public forum, it's hardly the sort of place where security is particularly tight. I admit that this thread would effectively put all the eggs in one easy-to-reach basket, however; perhaps, if the security concern is paramount, we could do as suggested above.

A password-protected sub-forum is an obvious solution, which has only the debit points of increased Moderator workload and restrictiveness to consider. Unfortunately, whilst I'm no philosopher, I worry that restricting access to such information would perhaps be a betrayal of what I can best term the spirit of this forum; is it not here that the curious, the learners, and the lucky owners of antique arms, may benefit from the knowledge herein regardless of whether or not they elect to join up?

It seems a pity to close the doors to our library.

"do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible"

Salaams

~Well put !! Perhaps a modicum of security would suffice though I'm with you on the spirit of the forum absolutely.

Fakers are like poachers : expert in creating the desired effect through good field craft skills consequently I dont think we are going to teach that fraternity anything since I suspect they already know it. On the contrary it is many of the skills of the faker that we are after, though, for a different reason. (Some of the best art fakes are made by expert art restorers).

Most forum articles have a degree of restoration attached to them therefor it is an important part of the entire specialisation but the problem is how to set it up ? For minimum maintenance I suggest a mega thread similar to the blade mark issue set up by Jim onto which every contributor simply pours their tried and tested tips ideas on restoration. Perhaps when it achieves about 20,000 inputs it can be logically reorganised unless there is a clever way of alphabetic organising from the get go..

It only requires the techniques and tips not neccessarily the full blown restoration on for example a 400 year old cannon barrel since that would go to forum as normal... Just the specific ideas technique\s and tips is what we need on anything from basic cleaning to rust removal and polishing.

I just found an excellent leather nourishing product from an old source in the UK MADE BY BEES ! It is superb and we use it on all our equestrian leather, tack etc Its great on Terrs shields, scabbards, bayonet and sword frogs and bodrics etc RENAPUR (TYPE INTO COMPUTER SEARCH) Marvellous !!

To give the finished leather article a polish up just buff with a dry cloth and vaseline. Vaseline !! Theres a simple tip !!

Tips for shifting rust off blades can be graded ... I mean the most non invasive thing to do is nothing... except oil the blade; but what is the next least invasive technique ? Coka cola(1) (how long?) and the next? aluminium rubbing (2) (brilliant trick) and the next? lemon salt(3) and the next? the lightest abrasive(4) and the next etc etc ~ So that a logical sequence can be viewed by novices and experienced players alike however it comes down to experience so that the more advanced can go straight to say technique (8) and work back to (0) leap frogging techniques as they see fit whilst less experienced learners can move slowly through the techniques and so on...

It certainly does not replace the forum discussion on various restoration projects moreover it enhances the process ~ I mean hardly anyone would start messing with a wootz blade if they didnt know the workshop techniques and the advice on highly specialised stuff like that to beginners is going to always be "preserve don't invade". Preservation wax or Sewing Machine Oil and a clean cloth. Even after wiping the blade off with a clean cloth Japanese sword masters throw away the cloth. ( That was another tip)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.