Roman Dagger Restoration

[Rick]

An electrolysis bath can remove rust very efficiently; and when the rust has gone there is no further degradation to the iron that is revealed.

[vilhelmsson]

Check out the video at the bottom of this link of Vegard Vike's conservation of the Langeid Sword:

https://www.khm.uio.no/english/resea...m-langeid.html

I think this kind of work often requires mechanical cleaning like his micro chisel.

[TVV]

Originally Posted by vilhelmsson

Check out the video at the bottom of this link of Vegard Vike's conservation of the Langeid Sword:

https://www.khm.uio.no/english/resea...m-langeid.html

I think this kind of work often requires mechanical cleaning like his micro chisel.

This is my understanding as well - the cleaning needs to be done with a small drill and done slowly and carefully. Here is another video of a clean up, which preserves the silver decoration under all the rust deposits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw02-fWTJF4

[vilhelmsson]

I forgot to add: that is stunningly beautiful!

[adrian]

I find it very difficult to believe that the 'before' and 'after' photos are of the same item & strongly suspect that there has been a mistake made in that article.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by adrian

I find it very difficult to believe that the 'before' and 'after' photos are of the same item & strongly suspect that there has been a mistake made in that article.

AMEN !!!

[vilhelmsson]

Originally Posted by adrian

I find it very difficult to believe that the 'before' and 'after' photos are of the same item & strongly suspect that there has been a mistake made in that article.

Checkout the video on the cleaning of the Langeid Sword. Underneath that lump of rust is perhaps the most beautiful surviving Viking Age hilt in near perfect condition. And Vegard is meticulous in his documentation.

It's in very similar condition to this Roman dagger.

[Battara]