Chrome On Philippine Blades Question

Robert · 25th April 2011, 05:35 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of this item after the chrome was removed and a light etch applied to the blade. The blade does have an inserted hardened edge but it is hard to see in the pictures as I had to take them inside, it is raining here again today.

Now a light cleaning to the brass fittings and I'm done. Removing the chrome was a pain in the (insert appropriate word of your choice here) and I am very happy that I only have one more item that this needs to be done too.

Robert

Sajen · 25th April 2011, 05:51 PM

Hello Robert,

I have to revise my opinion in post #11, the blade looks much better than before and you have done well to decide removing the chrome.

Regards,

Detlef

Robert · 25th April 2011, 08:57 PM

Hello Detlef, I'm glad that you like the results. I just wanted to try to return it to something close to what it was intended to originally look like. The etching was more to remove some of the gloss from the blade left after removing the chrome than it was to try to find any pattern in the steel. Again I am glad that you like the how it turned out.

Robert

David · 25th April 2011, 09:20 PM

I'm glad you went ahead and removed it Robert. Looks much better...

Battara · 25th April 2011, 10:21 PM

Yes looks much better I agree.......

Robert · 28th April 2011, 04:37 AM

David and Jose, I am very happy that everyone so far likes the results of the chrome removal. Now that I have gone this far should I polish the brass fittings as well or leave them as they are? I have always wondered if on Philippine weapons if they would have been kept bright and shiny all the time or just cleaned as necessary to prevent rust?

Robert

ThePepperSkull · 28th April 2011, 05:24 AM

I'd say that with moro pieces, I would polish them if they were in need of a restoration and especially if they have precious metals on them like gold, suasa, or silver, but even then a lot of people have differing opinions about that.

In terms of visayan blades and Luzon blades though, I say leave it as-is if it's brass. I think it looks better that way, and the brass you polish will have dulled and tarnished within a short time anyways.

25th April 2011, 05:35 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Here are a couple of pictures of this item after the chrome was removed and a light etch applied to the blade. The blade does have an inserted hardened edge but it is hard to see in the pictures as I had to take them inside, it is raining here again today. Now a light cleaning to the brass fittings and I'm done. Removing the chrome was a pain in the (insert appropriate word of your choice here) and I am very happy that I only have one more item that this needs to be done too. Robert Attached Images

25th April 2011, 05:51 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Hello Robert, I have to revise my opinion in post #11, the blade looks much better than before and you have done well to decide removing the chrome. Regards, Detlef

25th April 2011, 08:57 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Detlef, I'm glad that you like the results. I just wanted to try to return it to something close to what it was intended to originally look like. The etching was more to remove some of the gloss from the blade left after removing the chrome than it was to try to find any pattern in the steel. Again I am glad that you like the how it turned out. Robert

25th April 2011, 09:20 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I'm glad you went ahead and removed it Robert. Looks much better...

25th April 2011, 10:21 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Yes looks much better I agree.......

28th April 2011, 04:37 AM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	David and Jose, I am very happy that everyone so far likes the results of the chrome removal. Now that I have gone this far should I polish the brass fittings as well or leave them as they are? I have always wondered if on Philippine weapons if they would have been kept bright and shiny all the time or just cleaned as necessary to prevent rust? Robert

28th April 2011, 05:24 AM	#7
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	I'd say that with moro pieces, I would polish them if they were in need of a restoration and especially if they have precious metals on them like gold, suasa, or silver, but even then a lot of people have differing opinions about that. In terms of visayan blades and Luzon blades though, I say leave it as-is if it's brass. I think it looks better that way, and the brass you polish will have dulled and tarnished within a short time anyways.