a Sewar cross-dressing as a Badik?

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by kai

Your blade does seem to be a genuine antique sewar. To be frank, the heavy pitting seems to be from excessive etching (and/or neglect). If it were not looking like a pretty much lost case, I would think about reworking/repolishing/staining the blade. I don't think this is feasible with this piece though.

The fittings (including the hilt) look newly crafted to me and may well be Malay "repair" attempts.

Regards,
Kai

Dear Kai,

Now I think I've got it right already.

Looking at it, definitely the edge was heavily corroded. To commissioned a reworking is a futile effort, I afraid, as the sewar's edge would be taken away too much from its original body, and that would not proportioned with the thick spine.

The hilt, FYI, was a white akar bahar. And I am also in the thinking that it is new and I believe you are right.

But then again I would like to ask, is the polished form (the clean, steel looks) is really a desirable state on any sewar? I've seen numerous examples on the net was in that state...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Looking at it, definitely the edge was heavily corroded. To commissioned a reworking is a futile effort, I afraid, as the sewar's edge would be taken away too much from its original body, and that would not proportioned with the thick spine.

The hilt, FYI, was a white akar bahar. And I am also in the thinking that it is new and I believe you are right.

But then again I would like to ask, is the polished form (the clean, steel looks) is really a desirable state on any sewar? I've seen numerous examples on the net was in that state...

Hello Moshah,

don't be afraid to do it byself, I have done it several times. Use sandpaper, first maybe 400 and go down to 1000 but do it with oil, you only get dirty fingers by this. After you have removed the corrosion etch it with hot vinegar. The complete procedure will take some time but is worth the effort. By this you can carefully reshape the edge also.

Regarding the hilt material I would say what I can see by your pictures that t is molar and not akar bahar.

Regards,

Detlef

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by Sajen

don't be afraid to do it byself, I have done it several times...

Regarding the hilt material I would say what I can see by your pictures that t is molar and not akar bahar.

Hi Detlef,

Thanks for the tips.

Well, the hilt looks like molar but it is akar bahar indeed. It is light, and there is a small hole on top which nesting some jagged thick, hairy-kind of material like braided ropes. I don't think molar would produce this.

White akar bahar was indeed even harder to find than sea ivory IMHO. It could be a pleasant surprise if it was an older hilt. Since it was brand new, it would be less valuable and "inanimate" - in terms of the Malay folks belief of it's otherworldly perks...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Hi Detlef,

Thanks for the tips.

Well, the hilt looks like molar but it is akar bahar indeed. It is light, and there is a small hole on top which nesting some jagged thick, hairy-kind of material like braided ropes. I don't think molar would produce this.

White akar bahar was indeed even harder to find than sea ivory IMHO. It could be a pleasant surprise if it was an older hilt. Since it was brand new, it would be less valuable and "inanimate" - in terms of the Malay folks belief of it's otherworldly perks...

You hold it in your hands and when you know both materials I have no doubt that you are correct. Also when it is new it's still a very rare material.

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Also when it is new it's still a very rare material.

Indeed it is but sea ivory still commands higher price over here


Your 4th badik from the left, was it sea ivory? I can see a slight pinggang / waist somewhere near the base before it started to get back to shape until tapering at the tip. Is that true or just my imagination?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Your 4th badik from the left, was it sea ivory? I can see a slight pinggang / waist somewhere near the base before it started to get back to shape until tapering at the tip. Is that true or just my imagination?

I think what you see is imagination. And it is what I believe hippo ivory. See the close up from the hilt.

Regards,

Detlef

[T. Koch]

It also looks like the concentric layers are visible in the uppermost part of above picture? In this case I agree with you Detlef - certainly looks like hippo tusk. The size and curvature also fits for a tusk split down the middle and worked into a hilt.

The patina is delicious btw!


- Thor