Question about a Co jang

[Sajen]

Have got this Co jang with a feature I never have seen before by a Co jang. The not sharpened areas of the blade are blackened as well as the spine of the blade. My question to the Aceh specialists: was this common? Or shall I remove this? I would like to remove this at the spine since there are nive engravings which are nearly not visible while I want to let it on the flat areas. What you think? I have attached a picture together with my other Co jang for comparison.

[VANDOO]

IT APPEARS TO BE EITHER A LAYER OF VERY OLD STABELIZED RUST EXCEPT WHERE THE BLADE EDGES WERE SHARPENED OR A BLACK FORGED FINISH THAT IS INTACT AND RUSTED OVER EXCEPT FOR THE SHARPENED AREAS. NO DOUBT THE ITEM WAS CARRIED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND COLLECTED THAT WAY LONG AGO.
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO FORGES BLADES LET THEM TAKE A LOOK AND GET THEIR OPINION. THE BLACK FORGED FINISH IS COMMON IN AFRICA BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT FROM SUMATRA. THIS LOOK AND FINISH SETS THIS COJANG APART FROM ALL OTHERS I HAVE SEEN SO I WOULD CONSIDER THAT BEFORE CLEANING IT UP TO LOOK LIKE ALL THE OTHERS. IF ACTIVE RUST IS PRESENT STABELIZE IT REGARDLESS OF YOUR DECISION AND YOU COULD PICK SOME OF THE BLACK OFF THE DESIGNS TO MAKE THEM CLEARER WITHOUT CHANGEING IT MUCH. A INTERESTING SWORD.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

IT APPEARS TO BE EITHER A LAYER OF VERY OLD STABELIZED RUST EXCEPT WHERE THE BLADE EDGES WERE SHARPENED OR A BLACK FORGED FINISH THAT IS INTACT AND RUSTED OVER EXCEPT FOR THE SHARPENED AREAS. NO DOUBT THE ITEM WAS CARRIED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND COLLECTED THAT WAY LONG AGO.
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO FORGES BLADES LET THEM TAKE A LOOK AND GET THEIR OPINION. THE BLACK FORGED FINISH IS COMMON IN AFRICA BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT FROM SUMATRA. THIS LOOK AND FINISH SETS THIS COJANG APART FROM ALL OTHERS I HAVE SEEN SO I WOULD CONSIDER THAT BEFORE CLEANING IT UP TO LOOK LIKE ALL THE OTHERS. IF ACTIVE RUST IS PRESENT STABELIZE IT REGARDLESS OF YOUR DECISION AND YOU COULD PICK SOME OF THE BLACK OFF THE DESIGNS TO MAKE THEM CLEARER WITHOUT CHANGEING IT MUCH. A INTERESTING SWORD.

Hello Barry,

thank you for your thoughts about the Co jang. It is for sure no old rust and you are correct, it has the same view like by african weapons I have seen/handled so it may be the black forged finish. And like you I never have seen this before. So my question to our Aceh specialists if this was common.

In the moment I am inclined to clean only the sharp areas and the spine to make the engravings visible.

Regards,

Detlef

[Sajen]

The engravings will look very similar to this nice examples Willem has shown in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=cojang

[asomotif]

Hello Detlef,

I never saw a sumatra blade that was black due to forging.

Occasionally I have seen recent mandau blades that where black forged, probably chinese machine made blades. But never on real indonesian blades.

How is the black near the handle ?
My guess is leaning towards black paint.
If it was mine I would probably clean it...

Best regards,
Willem

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Hello Detlef,

I never saw a sumatra blade that was black due to forging.

Occasionally I have seen recent mandau blades that where black forged, probably chinese machine made blades. But never on real indonesian blades.

How is the black near the handle ?
My guess is leaning towards black paint.
If it was mine I would probably clean it...

Best regards,
Willem

Hello Willem,

have hoped that you comment! Like you I never have seen this. Could be painted, I am very unsure. What I have found out in the meanwhile that the blade is waxed also. The black goes until the handle, there isn't seen any different. I have cleaned the the sharp areas and the spine with the engravings. Will post some pictures soon as I find the time.
The removing can be done every time, for the moment the blade will keep the black surface.

Regards,

Detlef