What is this?

Tim Simmons · 13th July 2007, 06:21 PM

Good point Rick. Working with it all the time I sometimes loose track that to some people it is precious. It will be far easier to replace than mother of pearl.

Battara · 13th July 2007, 09:37 PM

I am in the Indonesian camp. I am thinking perhaps ivory inlays. These can fall out too.

Henk · 13th July 2007, 09:39 PM

If the inlay was mother of pearl it is very good possible that the adhesive contains some remains of mother of pearl. I don't think the inlay was a metal like silver or gold or something. Metal inlay mostly was, as said, pinned. I personally have the idea that the inlay was made of an organic material like mother of pearl, bone or ivory. But why is all the inlay removed? Then the theory of silver or gold makes sense.

In the book by Van Zonneveld on page 94 is a large picture of a pedang lurus that has some similarities with the guard of this one.

Tim Simmons · 13th July 2007, 09:55 PM

What do you think would look best? Silver is easy but to me not right, mother of pearl would be my choice. It may well have been ivory but that is problematic. I also think that the white of ivory would be a rather dull contrast to the dark wood of the handle. I wonder what the original artist felt?

RhysMichael · 14th July 2007, 12:07 AM

You can buy old ivory piano keys at times on ebay. I have gotten them for knife scales before. That may be an option. Only problem is when you are working ivory it smells like when the dentist is drilling your teeth, at least to me. I've never worked MOP but I have been told you have to keep it from heating up too much so the I was told to use new and very sharp tools. I am sure someone here knows more about this than I do

Rick · 14th July 2007, 03:18 AM

Low K Gold, and the inserts should be a pillowed out from the wood surface a bit.

Tim Simmons · 14th July 2007, 07:53 AM

The lowest gold I could get would be the British standard 9ct gold, even milled very thin it will be a little more than I would like to pay. I like the idea of pillowed or domed pieces but looking at the small shapes at the extremities of the grip I am not sure that is the most practical way to go. I will try a few silver bits first as this is the most simple and ready to hand. Does anybody have a weapon with silver inlay held by adhesive ?

Tim Simmons · 18th July 2007, 01:28 PM

Well I have it now and Rick was correct Philippine. It has that feel of much Philippine minorities work a sort of rough relegance. It was covered in old thick grease and when removed the handle has two pieces of brass sheet inlay, so that could be replaced. The blade has been locally forged displaying some folding to the steel. On the whole I am very pleased with it and think it was a good buy but I would not have wanted to pay a penny more. Lucky that I have recently gained more interest in this area and this will indeed add to the collection. Not the most common stuff in the UK. The blade is just over 45cm long with a central midrib and has been well used.

14th July 2007, 03:18 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Match the Patina Low K Gold, and the inserts should be a pillowed out from the wood surface a bit.

13th July 2007, 06:21 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Good point Rick. Working with it all the time I sometimes loose track that to some people it is precious. It will be far easier to replace than mother of pearl.

13th July 2007, 09:37 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	I am in the Indonesian camp. I am thinking perhaps ivory inlays. These can fall out too.

13th July 2007, 09:39 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	If the inlay was mother of pearl it is very good possible that the adhesive contains some remains of mother of pearl. I don't think the inlay was a metal like silver or gold or something. Metal inlay mostly was, as said, pinned. I personally have the idea that the inlay was made of an organic material like mother of pearl, bone or ivory. But why is all the inlay removed? Then the theory of silver or gold makes sense. In the book by Van Zonneveld on page 94 is a large picture of a pedang lurus that has some similarities with the guard of this one.

13th July 2007, 09:55 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	What do you think would look best? Silver is easy but to me not right, mother of pearl would be my choice. It may well have been ivory but that is problematic. I also think that the white of ivory would be a rather dull contrast to the dark wood of the handle. I wonder what the original artist felt?

14th July 2007, 12:07 AM	#5
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	You can buy old ivory piano keys at times on ebay. I have gotten them for knife scales before. That may be an option. Only problem is when you are working ivory it smells like when the dentist is drilling your teeth, at least to me. I've never worked MOP but I have been told you have to keep it from heating up too much so the I was told to use new and very sharp tools. I am sure someone here knows more about this than I do

14th July 2007, 07:53 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	The lowest gold I could get would be the British standard 9ct gold, even milled very thin it will be a little more than I would like to pay. I like the idea of pillowed or domed pieces but looking at the small shapes at the extremities of the grip I am not sure that is the most practical way to go. I will try a few silver bits first as this is the most simple and ready to hand. Does anybody have a weapon with silver inlay held by adhesive ?

18th July 2007, 01:28 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Well I have it now and Rick was correct Philippine. It has that feel of much Philippine minorities work a sort of rough relegance. It was covered in old thick grease and when removed the handle has two pieces of brass sheet inlay, so that could be replaced. The blade has been locally forged displaying some folding to the steel. On the whole I am very pleased with it and think it was a good buy but I would not have wanted to pay a penny more. Lucky that I have recently gained more interest in this area and this will indeed add to the collection. Not the most common stuff in the UK. The blade is just over 45cm long with a central midrib and has been well used.