removing clear varnish from a old blade

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by werecow

I have a kabeala that has been varnished in its entirety, including the blade and the wood(?) of the hilt and scabbard, rattan bindings and all. It wasn't expensive, but nevertheless, what can happen to the wood with this way of cleaning, worst case scenario?

Try it carefully with one of the liquids at a not visible place, I've done it before without harming the material. When you have removed the varnish, polish it with oil, I use linseed oil and polish it with a soft cloth, normally it works without any harm to the material.

Regards,
Detlef

[werecow]

Alright, thanks for the pointers!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by werecow

Alright, thanks for the pointers!

You're welcome! BTW, it's a nice Kabeala, nice grain to the wooden handle. Attached is my own, similar example.

Regards,
Detlef

[werecow]

Originally Posted by Sajen

You're welcome! BTW, it's a nice Kabeala, nice grain to the wooden handle. Attached is my own, similar example.

Regards,
Detlef

Ah, that is almost identical! Do you have any more information on it by any chance (age, etc)?

[JoeCanada42]

I recently cleaned a Mandau, and it came out very nice, maybe it was varnished of some sort in the past. I have read that once a year ceremonialy the blade was coated with oils etc. likely that ritual was also for reasons to protect the blade

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by JoeCanada42

I recently cleaned a Mandau, and it came out very nice, maybe it was varnished of some sort in the past. I have read that once a year ceremonialy the blade was coated with oils etc. likely that ritual was also for reasons to protect the blade

Hello Joe, where did you read this ?

[JoeCanada42]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Hello Joe, where did you read this ?

possibly on this forum, or one of a few other websites I checked out recently.
I am Shure I read about it. something along the lines of the same time every year, almost like a holiday everyone does it. think I also heard it mentioned on Youtube... and just today actually on another sword forum I read someone talk about the sword receiving the incense and oil treatment.

[JoeCanada42]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Hello Joe, where did you read this ?

"likely that ritual was also for reasons to protect the blade"

this I did not read or hear, this i am saying, maybe, like years upon year of dried oil could work as a laquer,

I remember it was done to keep the spirits in the blade appeased maybe, something along the lines of need to keep the sword happy or it loses it magic power, apparently they point the swords at the ground before enactment fighting to nullify the magic.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by werecow

Ah, that is almost identical! Do you have any more information on it by any chance (age, etc)?

Kabealas are still in use on Sumba so you can find quiet recent/vintage examples in nearly identical appearance. I get my one from a friend in GB, judging by the wear and patination I guess around WWII or short before.
It was shown before in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=kabeala

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

A very good indicator of good age are always the small cracks in rotan bindings,
see the attached pictures from some of my items, just use a good magnifying glass!

[werecow]

Originally Posted by Sajen

A very good indicator of good age are always the small cracks in rotan bindings,
see the attached pictures from some of my items, just use a good magnifying glass!

Interesting. Would varnish protect against such cracks, or do they still form regardless?

FWIW I don't expect my kabeala to be particularly old. Does the presence of varnish itself say anything about the likely (minimum) age range, or people still do that today?