to restore or not to restore...

[JBG163]

A real problem with amateur restoration, even cleaning the red rust with 250 or 400 or 600 grit can smoothen an edge (I mean, an edge of a fuller, the two edges of the back etc...) when it is normally sharp. I have seen a lot of «*cleaned*» things, finally harmed more than cleaned. I would say that the best to clean active rust is to use dear antler and oil. And let the black rust and pitting to professional

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by JBG163

A real problem with amateur restoration, even cleaning the red rust with 250 or 400 or 600 grit can smoothen an edge (I mean, an edge of a fuller, the two edges of the back etc...) when it is normally sharp. I have seen a lot of «*cleaned*» things, finally harmed more than cleaned. I would say that the best to clean active rust is to use dear antler and oil. And let the black rust and pitting to professional

Yes, this I see similar! I've learned by my first job education to file a set square from a piece of iron so I know what I am doing and what I am not able to do I give to people who are able to do it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=visayan+kris I was sure that this blade was ruined by a real amateur restorer but a good friend was able to give the blade back it's original shape.
Another example is this Visayan knife which seems ruined by an amateur but Roland (our member Roland_M) gives it back the typical beveled edge.

Regards,
Detlef

[gp]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes, this I see similar! I've learned by my first job education to file a set square from a piece of iron so I know what I am doing and what I am not able to do I give to people who are able to do it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=visayan+kris I was sure that this blade was ruined by a real amateur restorer but a good friend was able to give the blade back it's original shape.
Another example is this Visayan knife which seems ruined by an amateur but Roland (our member Roland_M) gives it back the typical beveled edge.

Regards,
Detlef

very beautiful done. Question: as the blade looks like new now, what about the grip? Do you do something with or to the grip or leave it as is ?

FYI:
I treated the wooden handle of some pre 1870 pinfire revolvers with almond oil to feed the wood and avoid it from drying out...
Also bone handles of Bosnian ones I treat with a drop of virgin olive oil for the same reason.

Or is this not done with cold weapons?

[Sajen]

Hi Gunar,

I don't know about wich blade you speaking, the Visayan kris or the talibon similar blade in the pictures. And yes, both blades received a polish.

All bone, horn, ivory and wooden parts get linseed oil when I receive them. I have nearly closed a big crack in an ivory handle by long bath in linseed oil.

[gp]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Gunar,

I don't know about wich blade you speaking, the Visayan kris or the talibon similar blade in the pictures. And yes, both blades received a polish.

All bone, horn, ivory and wooden parts get linseed oil when I receive them. I have nearly closed a big crack in an ivory handle by long bath in linseed oil.

the Visayan knife is a beauty !Cantik.

[Sajen]

Terima Kasih!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by gp

...I treated the wooden handle of some pre 1870 pinfire revolvers with almond oil to feed the wood and avoid it from drying out...
Also bone handles of Bosnian ones I treat with a drop of virgin olive oil for the same reason.
Or is this not done with cold weapons?

Every time discussions were held here over how to preserve weaponry, among 'countless' suggestions, our finest member Matchlock (now deceased), always adviced olive oil as being the best stuff; that " old arsenal curators used it for centuries "
He also used to say:
"Forget about modern curators' hystery about acid substances in olive oil destroying iron! The Graz weapons with their original 300 to 500 year old surfaces preserved in best possible condition prove them all wrong".

... and also added that it was what Romans only had ... and it worked !

[David]

Originally Posted by gp

very beautiful done. Question: as the blade looks like new now, what about the grip? Do you do something with or to the grip or leave it as is ?

For me it is never a question of making a weapon look "new" as much as "whole".
I still believe that the less you do the better, but that sometimes it is better to do something than nothing at all.

[drac2k]

Wow, Sajen, great swords, and really nice restoration work!

[Tim Simmons]

Knives and swords like many weapons even modern technical weapons need maintenance and repairs often done in the field. Also even what may be called crude by us may have been relatively expensive to the owner so would be repaired and maintained even keeping it sharp is maintenance. So it is the same with collecting just depends no whether it is good or not good. Weapons are tools that always retain a function even if you do not use them. Coins are tokens only function when in legal circulation.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

... Weapons are tools that always retain a function even if you do not use them. Coins are tokens only function when in legal circulation.

That would depend on one's perspective.
Tools, with time passing, also become anachronic. We don't collect (old) weapons because of what they are, but because of what they used to be.
To each one his own taste. Collecting coins, for some, is a tasteless hobby; like collecting weapons for others, who find it senseless.
In the end, both are collectible symbols and both have value, even monetary ... for those who fancy them .

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Wow, Sajen, great swords, and really nice restoration work!

Thank you Drac2k!

[kahnjar1]

This restoration job has featured on the Forum before but a re airing would fit here quite well http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24394
One certainly would not leave this item as it was originally found...........As has been stated above, the extent to which one goes with restoring is entirely up to the individual.
Stu

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by David

For me it is never a question of making a weapon look "new" as much as "whole".
I still believe that the less you do the better, but that sometimes it is better to do something than nothing at all.

Hello David,

In most cases it's the question in which condition you find a weapon. When found in good condition is a cleaning and oiling enough.
By a good restoration you can see the age of a weapon and it's always important by a possible sale to mention restorations.

Regards,
Detlef