Whoa ! Moro

BluErf · 30th April 2006, 10:32 PM

Hey Tim, that's a great repair. Maybe you want to stain the wood to match the original wood colour? Don't worry, people would still be able to see that it was repaired.

Battara · 2nd May 2006, 01:55 AM

Ok folks, here I go (by request).

I was one of the bidders for these puppies but dropped out. I was thinking of restoring them. I do agree that the money paid is toooooo much (though I haven't got that much anyway). I was looking at repairing the way Ian had suggested. Yes, pre-ban ivory is exensive, but for the money I was willing to spend (half of what was paid?) it would have evened out (especially after selling the other one). Who ever got it will be paying more than it is worth now (especially if any restoration is done). The hardest part would be matching the grain, and that can not be done perfectly anyway. Yes some trim to the original, or certainly there will be a break line no matter what. I can live with that if it were not too obvious. I will never know now.......

The other one - new head and new wrap. (silver for me

).

Spunjer · 19th May 2006, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Ok folks, here I go (by request).

I was one of the bidders for these puppies but dropped out. I was thinking of restoring them. I do agree that the money paid is toooooo much (though I haven't got that much anyway). I was looking at repairing the way Ian had suggested. Yes, pre-ban ivory is exensive, but for the money I was willing to spend (half of what was paid?) it would have evened out (especially after selling the other one). Who ever got it will be paying more than it is worth now (especially if any restoration is done). The hardest part would be matching the grain, and that can not be done perfectly anyway. Yes some trim to the original, or certainly there will be a break line no matter what. I can live with that if it were not too obvious. I will never know now.......

The other one - new head and new wrap. (silver for me ).

how about the color? would it match? it is indeed a beautiful junggayan.

D Wilke · 19th May 2006, 07:59 AM

I'll throw my own two centavos in here. I completely agree with Kris and BluErf. These blades are continually being repaired and redressed and as long as it is done in the traditional style (or better yet within the same culture by their craftsmen using traditional methods) there is no loss of value or history only an increased esthetic. Who wouldn't want a complete blade with complete dress that showed the glory or the height of that culture in their collection as opposed to one with pieces missing.

I had Hajiri build me a new scabbard for my barong and rewrap the handle with silver braid, all the materials were from Sulu and he and his Grandfather did the work. It is a much more visually stunning blade now and better represents the true Tausug craftsmanship as opposed to the tail-less colored-ribbon wrapped scabbard it came in.

That doesn't negate my preference for an intact old piece, I just usually can't finance those

Dan

Battara · 20th May 2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

how about the color? would it match? it is indeed a beautiful junggayan.

The color would be a little difficult, but could be carefully worked to come close to the color. The grain would be the most difficult part by far.

Pangeran Datu · 4th June 2006, 03:35 PM

Hi All.
I apologise if any of you think that I'm flogging a dead horse. I just wanted to find out what you thought about the huge variation in prices for pieces. There is such a wide band. Especially when it comes to ivory pommels! The prices don't seem to follow any particular logic. In my travels, I've seen the same/similar pieces vary in price from a few hundred to almost a couple of thousands. There was even a hilt (only the hilt) with ivory kakatua pommel (not the full kakatua ceremonial form) priced at several thousands.
It may be useful to, at times, have posts about what 'reasonable' prices to pay are. People may be able to use it to build personal confidence in making offers/bids.

Regards.

Battara · 4th June 2006, 08:28 PM

Certainly eBay is not the most accurate indication of true value since it varies more than the auction houses. It would appear that several of us so far think that the pieces in question are way too high for their condition.

I could see that this price for the ivory one if it had a complete pommel and scabbard, and it were in perfect condition (gold work would be a great addition

).

Rick · 4th June 2006, 08:44 PM

It is a fascinating thing to compare the prices things fetch on ebay with what a similar piece will fetch at an auction house auction with bidders on the floor .
So far in my experience ebay auctions can often be the better value plus there is no "Buyer's Premium"

to tack another 15-20% on to the high bid price .

I often wonder if it is the heat of the moment on the auction floor that drives pieces to such heights whereas bidding on ebay is a solitary detached kind of experience .

I definitely would not have bid the price those fetched (unless I had a nice big chunk of ivory or two to send to Battara

)

19th May 2006, 07:59 AM	#4
D Wilke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Okinawa, JN Posts: 22	Culturally correct repairs I'll throw my own two centavos in here. I completely agree with Kris and BluErf. These blades are continually being repaired and redressed and as long as it is done in the traditional style (or better yet within the same culture by their craftsmen using traditional methods) there is no loss of value or history only an increased esthetic. Who wouldn't want a complete blade with complete dress that showed the glory or the height of that culture in their collection as opposed to one with pieces missing. I had Hajiri build me a new scabbard for my barong and rewrap the handle with silver braid, all the materials were from Sulu and he and his Grandfather did the work. It is a much more visually stunning blade now and better represents the true Tausug craftsmanship as opposed to the tail-less colored-ribbon wrapped scabbard it came in. That doesn't negate my preference for an intact old piece, I just usually can't finance those Dan

4th June 2006, 03:35 PM	#6
Pangeran Datu Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 79	Kris price variation Hi All. I apologise if any of you think that I'm flogging a dead horse. I just wanted to find out what you thought about the huge variation in prices for pieces. There is such a wide band. Especially when it comes to ivory pommels! The prices don't seem to follow any particular logic. In my travels, I've seen the same/similar pieces vary in price from a few hundred to almost a couple of thousands. There was even a hilt (only the hilt) with ivory kakatua pommel (not the full kakatua ceremonial form) priced at several thousands. It may be useful to, at times, have posts about what 'reasonable' prices to pay are. People may be able to use it to build personal confidence in making offers/bids. Regards.

30th April 2006, 10:32 PM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hey Tim, that's a great repair. Maybe you want to stain the wood to match the original wood colour? Don't worry, people would still be able to see that it was repaired.

2nd May 2006, 01:55 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Ok folks, here I go (by request). I was one of the bidders for these puppies but dropped out. I was thinking of restoring them. I do agree that the money paid is toooooo much (though I haven't got that much anyway). I was looking at repairing the way Ian had suggested. Yes, pre-ban ivory is exensive, but for the money I was willing to spend (half of what was paid?) it would have evened out (especially after selling the other one). Who ever got it will be paying more than it is worth now (especially if any restoration is done). The hardest part would be matching the grain, and that can not be done perfectly anyway. Yes some trim to the original, or certainly there will be a break line no matter what. I can live with that if it were not too obvious. I will never know now....... The other one - new head and new wrap. (silver for me ).

4th June 2006, 08:28 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Certainly eBay is not the most accurate indication of true value since it varies more than the auction houses. It would appear that several of us so far think that the pieces in question are way too high for their condition. I could see that this price for the ivory one if it had a complete pommel and scabbard, and it were in perfect condition (gold work would be a great addition ).

4th June 2006, 08:44 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	It is a fascinating thing to compare the prices things fetch on ebay with what a similar piece will fetch at an auction house auction with bidders on the floor . So far in my experience ebay auctions can often be the better value plus there is no "Buyer's Premium" to tack another 15-20% on to the high bid price . I often wonder if it is the heat of the moment on the auction floor that drives pieces to such heights whereas bidding on ebay is a solitary detached kind of experience . I definitely would not have bid the price those fetched (unless I had a nice big chunk of ivory or two to send to Battara )