Restoration of a Sulawesi alameng

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by Maurice

I think you'll get the same effect as when using steel wool 0000?
(That's what I usually use)

Am I just not patient enough with 0000 (or 000) wool? I find it almost never removes anything but the most superficial rust, but I'm not sure if I give it enough time. Am I supposed to keep going even if I feel like I have not made noticeable progress after a few minutes? Also, I'm curious on the type of stone and method you (Detlef) use for deep rust pockets. If soft enough I will use a metal pick but often find rust crusts to be extremely hard and need abrasive anf/or repeated acid washes (vinegar) to remove.

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by JeffS

Am I just not patient enough with 0000 (or 000) wool? I find it almost never removes anything but the most superficial rust, but I'm not sure if I give it enough time. Am I supposed to keep going even if I feel like I have not made noticeable progress after a few minutes? Also, I'm curious on the type of stone and method you (Detlef) use for deep rust pockets. If soft enough I will use a metal pick but often find rust crusts to be extremely hard and need abrasive anf/or repeated acid washes (vinegar) to remove.

Yes, only for superficial rust ofcourse. And I use it combined with oil. Works perfect for me. If the blade has more rust than superficial rust, steel wool 0000 will not work anymore at some point.

[Sajen]

It's cleaned now, here are some pictures. The last two pics show it together with two other similar Sulawesi swords from my collection.

[Maurice]

That's a cool Celebes grouping you've got their Detlef!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Maurice

That's a cool Celebes grouping you've got their Detlef!

Thanks Maurice! The "new" one is a very massive chopper with heavy lamination. I've rubbed the blade with lemon juice but it needs a stronger etchant to show it better. Here a pic without flash to get an impression.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Thanks Maurice! The "new" one is a very massive chopper with heavy lamination. I've rubbed the blade with lemon juice but it needs a stronger etchant to show it better. Here a pic without flash to get an impression.

Best regards,
Detlef

Thank you for the photo which shows the lamination of your alameng. Celebes had imo top blacksmiths!

Regards,
Maurice

[Sajen]

Another short alameng entered the collection with another handle form. One side of the blade is cleaned from surface rust, when the other side is also cleaned I will post a new group picture. The blade was badly bent but I was able to straighten it again perfectly.
48 cm long with a blade from 38 cm.