Tombak Opinions Wanted

A. G. Maisey · 19th May 2006, 08:30 PM

Fifty or so years ago I tried a Malay method reported by an Englishman in the 19th century, that used rice water, sulphur and possibly something else. It worked OK, but I only tried it once or twice.

If you wish I will locate the book and pass it on. Might take me a few days.

Tim Simmons · 19th May 2006, 08:40 PM

That would be very interesting. I have plenty of sulphur based products. If I was to try with sulphur presumably I can soak in juice again if I do not like the results. The sulphur based products can be used at various temperatures so some trial and error would have to be expected.

Henk · 19th May 2006, 09:20 PM

Tim.

I did a test with an old and worthless kerisblade at school with sulphuric acid. The chemistry teacher thought it was a nice experiment and was glad to help me with the stuff. She used a concentration lower than the acid in a car battery to control the process better. It worked, the pamor raised but the iron turned more greyish. Maybe if a stronger concentration was used the iron might turned darker, but in my opinion although it was fun to see the result nothing beats the result of the arsenic.

Tim Simmons · 19th May 2006, 09:29 PM

Perhaps the solution should have been heated. In my work the colouring of metals {precious metals mainly} is quite common. I have a sulphur based solution for the colouring of silver and bronze which I will try. I can get other colouring solutions. I will have to soak the blade agian as I have already oiled it. I will post the results.

Rick · 19th May 2006, 09:34 PM

Would that be Liver of Sulphur Tim ?

Tim Simmons · 19th May 2006, 09:44 PM

Gosh Rick that is a bit technical

I should think it is something like that, only specially formulated. I will try this one at different temperatures, and on a price check I might try others. It is usually only the odd job that makes you get these things.

Rick · 19th May 2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Gosh Rick that is a bit technical

I should think it is something like that, only specially formulated. I will try this one at different temperatures, and on a price check I might try others. It is usually only the odd job that makes you get these things.

Just wondering 'cause my jeweler gave me a small can of chunks of some form of sulphur that he said he used to patinate silver and other metals .
The label said Liver of Sulphur ; I tried it on steel many years ago ; I know it darkened it but I can't remember whether it was grey , black or brown .

I think I'll save the rest for my neighbor's swimming pool when it gets noisy late at night .< evil grin >

19th May 2006, 08:30 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Fifty or so years ago I tried a Malay method reported by an Englishman in the 19th century, that used rice water, sulphur and possibly something else. It worked OK, but I only tried it once or twice. If you wish I will locate the book and pass it on. Might take me a few days.

19th May 2006, 08:40 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	That would be very interesting. I have plenty of sulphur based products. If I was to try with sulphur presumably I can soak in juice again if I do not like the results. The sulphur based products can be used at various temperatures so some trial and error would have to be expected.

19th May 2006, 09:20 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Tim. I did a test with an old and worthless kerisblade at school with sulphuric acid. The chemistry teacher thought it was a nice experiment and was glad to help me with the stuff. She used a concentration lower than the acid in a car battery to control the process better. It worked, the pamor raised but the iron turned more greyish. Maybe if a stronger concentration was used the iron might turned darker, but in my opinion although it was fun to see the result nothing beats the result of the arsenic.

19th May 2006, 09:29 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Perhaps the solution should have been heated. In my work the colouring of metals {precious metals mainly} is quite common. I have a sulphur based solution for the colouring of silver and bronze which I will try. I can get other colouring solutions. I will have to soak the blade agian as I have already oiled it. I will post the results.

19th May 2006, 09:34 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Would that be Liver of Sulphur Tim ?

19th May 2006, 09:44 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Gosh Rick that is a bit technical I should think it is something like that, only specially formulated. I will try this one at different temperatures, and on a price check I might try others. It is usually only the odd job that makes you get these things.