Tenegre Nose Job

werecow · 22nd September 2025, 10:49 PM

Personally I don't mind small restorations or cleaning as long as they are

honestly documented,
fitting with the style of the original,
don't alter the handling characteristics or change important features (like removing markings), and
are non-destructive as much as possible (with the understanding that in some cases you can't very well keep the original, e.g. restoring a grip that has just a tiny remainder of rotting wood left on it), and
preferably reversible if possible.

But I really don't like it when I find out I've bought a fantasy composite of old (and new) parts after the fact, or when people take apart old swords that are still largely intact in order to harvest parts.

In this case I don't think I would mind knowing that either the nose or some of the silver was a replacement (but I would personally keep it as it is since I quite like it and I don't feel the missing bits detract from it).

ClemFandango · 23rd September 2025, 12:10 AM

Thank you both for your thoughts and insight. Fair points to consider. I have a lot of research to do before attempting any kind of restoration work.

Btw Battara, how did you end up restoring that tenegre if I may ask?

Battara · 23rd September 2025, 05:07 AM

Well, there are collectors and dealers who know my work and reputation, and they come to me for restoration. One of them who owned this one asked me to restore it. Here is how I received it.

Battara · 23rd September 2025, 05:09 AM

Based on research, here is how I restored it. (and he was very happy

)

ClemFandango · 23rd September 2025, 06:51 PM

Oh I've seen this actually! Some of your repairs/restorations have come up in my browsing of this site. Huge fan of your work. Might have a keris coteng that needs some nose surgery as well at some point aha

but I think I misunderstood your past message and thought the tenegre you repaired had a broken nose as well. I was wondering how you'd go about fixing something like that? I was thinking of carving a small piece of kamagong into the shape I need and attaching it to the main body with pine pitch resin.

Battara · 24th September 2025, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClemFandango

Oh I've seen this actually! Some of your repairs/restorations have come up in my browsing of this site. Huge fan of your work. Might have a keris coteng that needs some nose surgery as well at some point aha

I had not idea.

I'm honored, thank you.

I have also replaced a coating nose in silver too.

The only issue I see with the nose on your tenegre is the missing silver. What else needs to be repaired?

ClemFandango · 25th September 2025, 02:50 AM

Oh danggg that restored ba'id is immaculate!! also such a unique piece. I've never seen one before

The Bikolanos sure love their bat shaped hilts haha!

My tenegre has the tip of its nose chipped off as well. Been trying to work out the shape i need to fix it

Battara · 24th September 2025, 07:06 PM

Oh I understand now. Here is a ba'id from Bicol that I own. It is old and not seen until now. I believe it is a sacrificial weapon with the date of 1753 on it. This is how I got it with a broken nostril.

Battara · 24th September 2025, 07:08 PM

Here is what I did. I remade the nostril and then made and used silver nails to nail the nostrils and the rest of the silver mounts to it.

22nd September 2025, 10:49 PM	#1
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 629	Personally I don't mind small restorations or cleaning as long as they are honestly documented, fitting with the style of the original, don't alter the handling characteristics or change important features (like removing markings), and are non-destructive as much as possible (with the understanding that in some cases you can't very well keep the original, e.g. restoring a grip that has just a tiny remainder of rotting wood left on it), and preferably reversible if possible. But I really don't like it when I find out I've bought a fantasy composite of old (and new) parts after the fact, or when people take apart old swords that are still largely intact in order to harvest parts. In this case I don't think I would mind knowing that either the nose or some of the silver was a replacement (but I would personally keep it as it is since I quite like it and I don't feel the missing bits detract from it).

23rd September 2025, 05:07 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,363	Well, there are collectors and dealers who know my work and reputation, and they come to me for restoration. One of them who owned this one asked me to restore it. Here is how I received it. Attached Images

23rd September 2025, 05:09 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,363	Based on research, here is how I restored it. (and he was very happy ) Attached Images

25th September 2025, 02:50 AM	#7
ClemFandango Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 6	Oh danggg that restored ba'id is immaculate!! also such a unique piece. I've never seen one before The Bikolanos sure love their bat shaped hilts haha! My tenegre has the tip of its nose chipped off as well. Been trying to work out the shape i need to fix it Attached Images

24th September 2025, 07:06 PM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,363	Oh I understand now. Here is a ba'id from Bicol that I own. It is old and not seen until now. I believe it is a sacrificial weapon with the date of 1753 on it. This is how I got it with a broken nostril. Attached Images

23rd September 2025, 12:10 AM	#2
ClemFandango Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 6	Thank you both for your thoughts and insight. Fair points to consider. I have a lot of research to do before attempting any kind of restoration work. Btw Battara, how did you end up restoring that tenegre if I may ask?

23rd September 2025, 06:51 PM	#5
ClemFandango Member Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 6	Oh I've seen this actually! Some of your repairs/restorations have come up in my browsing of this site. Huge fan of your work. Might have a keris coteng that needs some nose surgery as well at some point aha but I think I misunderstood your past message and thought the tenegre you repaired had a broken nose as well. I was wondering how you'd go about fixing something like that? I was thinking of carving a small piece of kamagong into the shape I need and attaching it to the main body with pine pitch resin.

24th September 2025, 07:08 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,363	Here is what I did. I remade the nostril and then made and used silver nails to nail the nostrils and the rest of the silver mounts to it. Attached Images