Old African knives

gp · 17th September 2020, 11:16 PM

a few pics from a century ago : a Salampasu group, twice Boa with their short swords / long knives from around 1910-1920

gp · 18th September 2020, 02:46 PM

so as promised the result of some elbow grease... first a bored cat due to lack of attention...

(although the cat and the cane corso thought my fingers interesting: indeed they did smell like smoked beef when cleaning the animal fat of both blade and handle)

the only issue I met was at the top of the handle :
when cleaning it, a " V " or " M "- like pattern came forward. Just like on the blade. But whereas the blade has the " V " or " M "- like pattern only once at each side of the blade, here it is found circular all around.
I cleaned it as much as I could but refrained from going any further in order not to damage or erase this. Hope this all meets your approval or otherwise please advise what I should have done or not, thnx a lot , merci , grazie mille !

gp · 18th September 2020, 02:58 PM

1 after and before cleaning

gp · 18th September 2020, 02:59 PM

2 after and before cleaning

gp · 18th September 2020, 03:00 PM

3 after and before cleaning

gp · 18th September 2020, 03:00 PM

4 after and before cleaning

gp · 18th September 2020, 03:01 PM

5

Yvain · 18th September 2020, 07:42 PM

Hi GP,

I don't know if you've tried that yet, but in my (limited) experience, alcool with fine steel wool (0000 / wood finishing) works wonder for old grease, dried out oil, and dirt. However, be careful to not let it touch any organic parts (wood, hide, leather, etc...) !

gp · 18th September 2020, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvain

Hi GP,

I don't know if you've tried that yet, but in my (limited) experience, alcool with fine steel wool (0000 / wood finishing) works wonder for old grease, dried out oil, and dirt. However, be careful to not let it touch any organic parts (wood, hide, leather, etc...) !

merci beaucoup, thnx a lot ! I did work on the wooden handle with fine steel wool (0000 / wood finishing) and the result is as you see very well except for the top.
As these inscriptions are not that deep, I do not want / dare too go any deeper and leave it as it is in order to save these inscriptions.

Yvain · 18th September 2020, 10:11 PM

I posted my reply before seeing your new pictures after cleaning. Indeed, I would not clean it further either, but if you ever happen upon another old weapon caked in old grease, alcool (pure 90° proof) will help you to remove it with ease (by dissolving it), without having to resort to more abrasive cleaning methods.

gp · 18th September 2020, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvain

I posted my reply before seeing your new pictures after cleaning. Indeed, I would not clean it further either, but if you ever happen upon another old weapon caked in old grease, alcool (pure 90° proof) will help you to remove it with ease (by dissolving it), without having to resort to more abrasive cleaning methods.

je Vous merci ! Much obliged ! and no problem / pas de souci: I certainly can do with all these tips bein' the new kid in this group and also new to cold weapons restauration

17th September 2020, 11:16 PM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 884	a few pics from a century ago : a Salampasu group, twice Boa with their short swords / long knives from around 1910-1920 Attached Images

18th September 2020, 02:46 PM	#2
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 884	so as promised the result of some elbow grease... first a bored cat due to lack of attention... (although the cat and the cane corso thought my fingers interesting: indeed they did smell like smoked beef when cleaning the animal fat of both blade and handle) the only issue I met was at the top of the handle : when cleaning it, a " V " or " M "- like pattern came forward. Just like on the blade. But whereas the blade has the " V " or " M "- like pattern only once at each side of the blade, here it is found circular all around. I cleaned it as much as I could but refrained from going any further in order not to damage or erase this. Hope this all meets your approval or otherwise please advise what I should have done or not, thnx a lot , merci , grazie mille ! Attached Images Last edited by gp; 18th September 2020 at 09:30 PM.

18th September 2020, 02:58 PM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 884	1 after and before cleaning Attached Images Last edited by gp; 18th September 2020 at 09:38 PM.

18th September 2020, 02:59 PM	#4
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 884	2 after and before cleaning Attached Images Last edited by gp; 18th September 2020 at 09:38 PM.

18th September 2020, 03:00 PM	#5
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 884	3 after and before cleaning Attached Images Last edited by gp; 18th September 2020 at 09:38 PM.

18th September 2020, 03:00 PM	#6
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 884	4 after and before cleaning Attached Images Last edited by gp; 18th September 2020 at 09:39 PM.

18th September 2020, 03:01 PM	#7
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 884	5 Attached Images

18th September 2020, 07:42 PM	#8
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 181	Hi GP, I don't know if you've tried that yet, but in my (limited) experience, alcool with fine steel wool (0000 / wood finishing) works wonder for old grease, dried out oil, and dirt. However, be careful to not let it touch any organic parts (wood, hide, leather, etc...) !

18th September 2020, 10:11 PM	#10
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 181	I posted my reply before seeing your new pictures after cleaning. Indeed, I would not clean it further either, but if you ever happen upon another old weapon caked in old grease, alcool (pure 90° proof) will help you to remove it with ease (by dissolving it), without having to resort to more abrasive cleaning methods.