Nice old Moro budiak head for comments

Ian · 15th February 2023, 10:07 AM

I agree xas, it's uncommon (perhaps rare) to find a hole in the tang. I believe this one is at least 19th C. However, I tend to be conservative with dating, and it might be pre-1800. It has the appearance of an antique blade with stable small areas of oxidation, etc. The blade has a nice patina and I refrained from over cleaning it. Just a little vinegar to bring out the faint twist core and a little rubbing with an organic solvent to see what covered the bolster under the black goop.

kai · 15th February 2023, 12:42 PM

Congrats, a neat old budiak, Ian!

The hole in the tang looks machine-made and seems to have pretty crisp edges: Not consistent with the other worn surfaces which might point to at least first half of the 19th century.

I'd posit this hole was a later modification - maybe for securing it to a replacement pole or even mounting on a wall...

Regards,
Kai

Sajen · 15th February 2023, 01:38 PM

Hello Ian,

Very nice twist core budiak, congrats! And I am with Kai on the hole in the tang, it doesn't look old to my eyes.

Regards,
Detlef

xasterix · 15th February 2023, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Congrats, a neat old budiak, Ian!

The hole in the tang looks machine-made and seems to have pretty crisp edges: Not consistent with the other worn surfaces which might point to at least first half of the 19th century.

I'd posit this hole was a later modification - maybe for securing it to a replacement pole or even mounting on a wall...

Regards,
Kai

Hullo Kai, I'm genuinely curious- supposing the hole was made in modern time, what specific machine can do this? I'm not a smith by any chance, so I'd like to know how it's done. I've also seen such holes in kris and Lumad tangs, and I've always been curious how that was managed.

kai · 15th February 2023, 05:10 PM

Hullo Ray,

Since the tangs are not hardened, pretty much any metal drill will do - either hand-driven or power tool.

Regards,
Kai

15th February 2023, 10:07 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	I agree xas, it's uncommon (perhaps rare) to find a hole in the tang. I believe this one is at least 19th C. However, I tend to be conservative with dating, and it might be pre-1800. It has the appearance of an antique blade with stable small areas of oxidation, etc. The blade has a nice patina and I refrained from over cleaning it. Just a little vinegar to bring out the faint twist core and a little rubbing with an organic solvent to see what covered the bolster under the black goop.

15th February 2023, 12:42 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Congrats, a neat old budiak, Ian! The hole in the tang looks machine-made and seems to have pretty crisp edges: Not consistent with the other worn surfaces which might point to at least first half of the 19th century. I'd posit this hole was a later modification - maybe for securing it to a replacement pole or even mounting on a wall... Regards, Kai

15th February 2023, 01:38 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,212	Hello Ian, Very nice twist core budiak, congrats! And I am with Kai on the hole in the tang, it doesn't look old to my eyes. Regards, Detlef

15th February 2023, 05:10 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hullo Ray, Since the tangs are not hardened, pretty much any metal drill will do - either hand-driven or power tool. Regards, Kai