Sulphur staining a keris Bugis

A. G. Maisey · 6th February 2021, 01:46 AM

Looks pretty OK to me.

A. G. Maisey · 6th February 2021, 01:49 AM

I did this method years ago. A lot of years.

My memory is that it went onto the blade like a paste and when I took it out of the plastic, some of the sulphur & stuff stuck to it, which then needed to be gently removed with water and a brush.

David · 6th February 2021, 02:21 AM

Nice result and very nicely presented. Thanks!

Jean · 6th February 2021, 09:09 AM

Very interesting, thanks! The "sweet" smell of rotten eggs and the black colour of the blade are indicating the production of hydrogen sulphide and iron sulphide on the blade respectively.

jagabuwana · 7th February 2021, 10:46 PM

Thank you everyone

Jean - thanks for sharing that. Now I am curious as to whether this would work without the salt and/or the starchy water.

Alan - yes that was my experience too. The staining stuff was pretty sticky and caked onto the blade.

I would be interested to do the same thing on a blade that is less grainy and porous as this one. But at the moment I don't have an appropriate candidate.

Jean · 8th February 2021, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagabuwana

Jean Now I am curious as to whether this would work without the salt and/or the starchy water.

Hello Jaga,
I don't know but probably not.
Regards

GIO · 8th February 2021, 10:56 AM

I tried this method with one of the very first kerises of my collection, more or less 35 years ago. I started with a Bali Keris with an almost undiscernible pamor and an uniform light grey colour. After one week treatment and a terrible smell all around, I found that the iron was corroded, while the nickel of the pamor was left intact and in relief, in great contrast with the blackish iron.
The result was good and there was no need to make further treatments to the blade, except rinsing and oiling. I have somewhere the pics taken before and after, shall publish them soon.

6th February 2021, 01:46 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Looks pretty OK to me.

6th February 2021, 01:49 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	I did this method years ago. A lot of years. My memory is that it went onto the blade like a paste and when I took it out of the plastic, some of the sulphur & stuff stuck to it, which then needed to be gently removed with water and a brush.

6th February 2021, 02:21 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Nice result and very nicely presented. Thanks!

6th February 2021, 09:09 AM	#4
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Very interesting, thanks! The "sweet" smell of rotten eggs and the black colour of the blade are indicating the production of hydrogen sulphide and iron sulphide on the blade respectively.

7th February 2021, 10:46 PM	#5
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 290	Thank you everyone Jean - thanks for sharing that. Now I am curious as to whether this would work without the salt and/or the starchy water. Alan - yes that was my experience too. The staining stuff was pretty sticky and caked onto the blade. I would be interested to do the same thing on a blade that is less grainy and porous as this one. But at the moment I don't have an appropriate candidate.

8th February 2021, 10:56 AM	#7
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 328	I tried this method with one of the very first kerises of my collection, more or less 35 years ago. I started with a Bali Keris with an almost undiscernible pamor and an uniform light grey colour. After one week treatment and a terrible smell all around, I found that the iron was corroded, while the nickel of the pamor was left intact and in relief, in great contrast with the blackish iron. The result was good and there was no need to make further treatments to the blade, except rinsing and oiling. I have somewhere the pics taken before and after, shall publish them soon.