How to tighten a Kaskara hilt?

trenchwarfare · 26th January 2014, 09:52 PM

This may be considered sacrilege but on some loose hilts, I just fill the thing with white glue. Watch for, and seal off any areas where it might escape. Then drive some appropriate sized wooden wedges in to tighten the whole thing. In this case, you could probably drive them deep enough, to replace the fabric wadding. This one might be tricky, with the leather being so light colored. The wetness of the glue, will darken the leather. With, or without glue, I'd still use wedges. Cedar works well, cuz it's soft, and conforms to shape. It also snaps off clean.

blue lander · 27th January 2014, 03:47 PM

The yarn is as hard as a rock, so I think somebody might have already poured some sort of adhesive down there. I'll try to remove it and replace it with some cedar shunts.

Edster · 27th January 2014, 05:27 PM

Can't say about the age. The hilt has a little taper and is indicative of being "older" than the 1960's or so. The "X" isn't necessarily diagnostic.

Does the blade have any markings? A blade made of lorry leaf springs would would be pretty springy. Based on the current info I don't think the age can be determined with any confidence. Others may have better insights.

Ed

blue lander · 27th January 2014, 06:27 PM

I don't think the blade has any markings. I attached a picture of what looked like markings on the blade at first, but I think they're just failed laminations or flaws in the steel. They're only on one side of the blade. The hilt does taper, but the ends aren't very well shaped.

I don't know if you can tell anything from the kind of rings used on the scabbard, but I included a picture anyways. They have a channel running down the middle of them.

Edster · 28th January 2014, 12:45 AM

I have a feeling that the blade is "locally" made from ferrous metal other than spring steel. How does it sound when you tap the tip on a hard surface; a kind of a ring or a dull thud-like sound?

Scabbards are made by a separate craft guild from sword and knife makers. The rings are likely made from scrap metal even nails bent in a crude circle. Your rings are interesting, but probably not diagnostic. Likely made from what useful metal on hand.

Take care,
Ed

blue lander · 28th January 2014, 02:49 PM

It rings a little, but it's mostly a dull "thunk". The very loose hilt might be contributing to that, though.

27th January 2014, 06:27 PM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	I don't think the blade has any markings. I attached a picture of what looked like markings on the blade at first, but I think they're just failed laminations or flaws in the steel. They're only on one side of the blade. The hilt does taper, but the ends aren't very well shaped. I don't know if you can tell anything from the kind of rings used on the scabbard, but I included a picture anyways. They have a channel running down the middle of them. Attached Images

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26th January 2014, 09:52 PM	#1
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	This may be considered sacrilege but on some loose hilts, I just fill the thing with white glue. Watch for, and seal off any areas where it might escape. Then drive some appropriate sized wooden wedges in to tighten the whole thing. In this case, you could probably drive them deep enough, to replace the fabric wadding. This one might be tricky, with the leather being so light colored. The wetness of the glue, will darken the leather. With, or without glue, I'd still use wedges. Cedar works well, cuz it's soft, and conforms to shape. It also snaps off clean.

27th January 2014, 03:47 PM	#2
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	The yarn is as hard as a rock, so I think somebody might have already poured some sort of adhesive down there. I'll try to remove it and replace it with some cedar shunts.

27th January 2014, 05:27 PM	#3
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 452	Can't say about the age. The hilt has a little taper and is indicative of being "older" than the 1960's or so. The "X" isn't necessarily diagnostic. Does the blade have any markings? A blade made of lorry leaf springs would would be pretty springy. Based on the current info I don't think the age can be determined with any confidence. Others may have better insights. Ed

28th January 2014, 12:45 AM	#5
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 452	I have a feeling that the blade is "locally" made from ferrous metal other than spring steel. How does it sound when you tap the tip on a hard surface; a kind of a ring or a dull thud-like sound? Scabbards are made by a separate craft guild from sword and knife makers. The rings are likely made from scrap metal even nails bent in a crude circle. Your rings are interesting, but probably not diagnostic. Likely made from what useful metal on hand. Take care, Ed

28th January 2014, 02:49 PM	#6
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	It rings a little, but it's mostly a dull "thunk". The very loose hilt might be contributing to that, though.