Tombak Opinions Wanted

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, it looks like you might have some pamor there.

Now you`ve started there is no question of stopping. You now continue through to perfection.

The little hard bits of rust can be dug out with something like saddlers awl. Dig and soak, dig and soak. Hard old rust can take a long time to get rid of, but it is necessary.

Looking at that blade before you started, I reckon it would have taken me about a week to ten days to get it clean using a pineapple juice soak.

I feel that this handle has not been in place for more than perhaps 30-40 years at the outside. In keris terms, only yesterday. A bit of rust may have built up through the cloth and be causing it to stick a bit, but the heat trick will allow you to move it. Its just a gently-gently, patience-patience thing. Heat it, twist the handle back and forth at the same time pulling---doesn`t want let go? Let it cool right down, and repeat----and repeat and repeat until it comes loose.

There`s no can of worms involved. What you`ve got is a simple pressure fit. Even if you discover something a little unfortunate like rotten tang that has been bodgied up with araldite or something, its no big deal, getting the handle off will give you the opportunity to repair it properly. Everything is fixable.

When you put the handle back you use knitting wool to give a pressure fit.

Its all easy Tim. Just take gently and slowly.

[Tim Simmons]

Easy, handle off. I can even reuse the piece of cloth. Now for a long bath in pineapple juice. I hope the staining materials are cheap and easy to get hold of. Back in a few days, stay tuned in .