to restore or not to restore...

[Sajen]

Good that David come back to the topic.

This could become a very interesting thread. There are for sure different opinions about maintenance and restoration and it will be most intersting to read and discuss them.
So I have shown examples which have received maintenance and others which have received real restoration and hoped to discuss this but it seems that coins are more interesting!

[fernando]

Don't worry Sajen; the thread has not yet ended. And while some non weapons restoring considerations took place, be sure your examples are being appreciated .

[fernando]

Would you Gentlemem say that this kind of restoration should have not taken place ?

.

[JBG163]

A real problem with amateur restoration, even cleaning the red rust with 250 or 400 or 600 grit can smoothen an edge (I mean, an edge of a fuller, the two edges of the back etc...) when it is normally sharp. I have seen a lot of «*cleaned*» things, finally harmed more than cleaned. I would say that the best to clean active rust is to use dear antler and oil. And let the black rust and pitting to professional

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by JBG163

A real problem with amateur restoration, even cleaning the red rust with 250 or 400 or 600 grit can smoothen an edge (I mean, an edge of a fuller, the two edges of the back etc...) when it is normally sharp. I have seen a lot of «*cleaned*» things, finally harmed more than cleaned. I would say that the best to clean active rust is to use dear antler and oil. And let the black rust and pitting to professional

Yes, this I see similar! I've learned by my first job education to file a set square from a piece of iron so I know what I am doing and what I am not able to do I give to people who are able to do it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=visayan+kris I was sure that this blade was ruined by a real amateur restorer but a good friend was able to give the blade back it's original shape.
Another example is this Visayan knife which seems ruined by an amateur but Roland (our member Roland_M) gives it back the typical beveled edge.

Regards,
Detlef

[gp]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes, this I see similar! I've learned by my first job education to file a set square from a piece of iron so I know what I am doing and what I am not able to do I give to people who are able to do it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=visayan+kris I was sure that this blade was ruined by a real amateur restorer but a good friend was able to give the blade back it's original shape.
Another example is this Visayan knife which seems ruined by an amateur but Roland (our member Roland_M) gives it back the typical beveled edge.

Regards,
Detlef

very beautiful done. Question: as the blade looks like new now, what about the grip? Do you do something with or to the grip or leave it as is ?

FYI:
I treated the wooden handle of some pre 1870 pinfire revolvers with almond oil to feed the wood and avoid it from drying out...
Also bone handles of Bosnian ones I treat with a drop of virgin olive oil for the same reason.

Or is this not done with cold weapons?

[Sajen]

Hi Gunar,

I don't know about wich blade you speaking, the Visayan kris or the talibon similar blade in the pictures. And yes, both blades received a polish.

All bone, horn, ivory and wooden parts get linseed oil when I receive them. I have nearly closed a big crack in an ivory handle by long bath in linseed oil.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by gp

...I treated the wooden handle of some pre 1870 pinfire revolvers with almond oil to feed the wood and avoid it from drying out...
Also bone handles of Bosnian ones I treat with a drop of virgin olive oil for the same reason.
Or is this not done with cold weapons?

Every time discussions were held here over how to preserve weaponry, among 'countless' suggestions, our finest member Matchlock (now deceased), always adviced olive oil as being the best stuff; that " old arsenal curators used it for centuries "
He also used to say:
"Forget about modern curators' hystery about acid substances in olive oil destroying iron! The Graz weapons with their original 300 to 500 year old surfaces preserved in best possible condition prove them all wrong".

... and also added that it was what Romans only had ... and it worked !

[David]

Originally Posted by gp

very beautiful done. Question: as the blade looks like new now, what about the grip? Do you do something with or to the grip or leave it as is ?

For me it is never a question of making a weapon look "new" as much as "whole".
I still believe that the less you do the better, but that sometimes it is better to do something than nothing at all.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by fernando

Would you Gentlemem say that this kind of restoration should have not taken place ?.

Definitely yes, restoration exactly like this. Restored to the original look!

[gp]

Originally Posted by fernando

Would you Gentlemem say that this kind of restoration should have not taken place ?

.

)
it is beautiful and of added value ( moneywise I would not know as I lack that knowledge but defenitely from a conservation point of view. Respeito

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by fernando

Don't worry Sajen; the thread has not yet ended. And while some non weapons restoring considerations took place, be sure your examples are being appreciated .

Don't understand me wrong Fernando, I don't want to earn "ah" & "oh" for the restore jobs but want to read if people agree or have a different view!

Regards,
Detlef