Repairing the hilt on a visayan sword

tom hyle · 15th March 2005, 11:15 AM

BTW, note that the main direction of visible grind-lines is across the blade. We're often advised to always sand/grind/polish along blades, but this is by no means historically warranted. It is more after the nature of an aspect of modern Western Industrial culture, and is closely associated with the concept of invisible craftsmanship.

The oceanic SE Asian cutting sword tang is not, as it is sometimes called, flat. It is a rectangular-section wedge, tapered for width and often for thickness. Certainly the tightness of fit in the hilt does affect the solidity of the joint, and the degree to which the wedge effect is taken advantage of; some blades fit so tightly and well as to almost not require adhesive, while others are so loose there is no real wedge affect. Wood and iron are stronger than pitch and cloth; a tight fit is best if you ask me. On the other hand, there are those who praise the shock absorbtion of softer materials.

wilked aka Khun Deng · 15th March 2005, 11:36 AM

Ian et all, Am Sorry I have been absent. Wonderful blade and a great job on the rehilting! Have not found one of these yet in Manila, howver I'm still looking!

Ian · 28th March 2005, 05:10 AM

Another similar one that just ended on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6519537548

Could our Visayan experts perhaps give an approximate date to this sword. This is a nice example and looks to be all there, including a scabbard that may be original to the sword. I notice that the prices on these are rising also.

Ferguson · 28th March 2005, 10:57 AM

I was trying for that one Ian, as was Labantayo. Prices are going nuts. I bid enough that I KNEW I would win, but still got outbid. I would love to see an estimate of the age as well. I'm no expert. Just like them.
Steve

Bill · 28th March 2005, 12:50 PM

Small brass sheets found at hobby stores are usefull in repairs. Have found brass foil perfect for wraping the peksi of a keris. Not sure where to buy it, should be available on the internet, but it is also in "shielded" electrical & communications cable. Suppose copper just as good. The guage of aluminum foil seems a bit to thick &, but may be usefull for some. Don't think any of these would help much with a retangular tang.

Mare Rosu · 28th March 2005, 01:37 PM

Ian
You did a most masterfully repair.

Bill and othersThis is a link to just one of many manufactures of shim stock. http://www.artuscorp.com/stock.htm
What is nice about this one is that the stock is colored coded to it's thickness and can be gotten in, Copper, SS as well as plastic.
Gene

Ian · 28th March 2005, 05:02 PM

Bill and Gene: Thanks for the helpful ideas and the source of materials graded by thickness.

Steve: The market is getting crazy. Seems as though there could be a few people quietly watching this Forum and getting a handle on what is worth collecting. I've noticed prices have climbed 100% or more in the last few years on stuff that virtually nobody used to bid on. Look at the Bagobo swords, for example. Just a couple of years ago, these often went for $100-120, now you can't get near a halfway decent one for less $200. There was an old Visayan talibon (gareb?) that went for big bucks this weekend too.

28th March 2005, 01:37 PM	#6
Mare Rosu Deceased Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA, DEEP SOUTH, GEORGIA, Y'all hear? Posts: 121	Colored shim stock Ian You did a most masterfully repair. Bill and othersThis is a link to just one of many manufactures of shim stock. http://www.artuscorp.com/stock.htm What is nice about this one is that the stock is colored coded to it's thickness and can be gotten in, Copper, SS as well as plastic. Gene

15th March 2005, 11:15 AM	#1
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	BTW, note that the main direction of visible grind-lines is across the blade. We're often advised to always sand/grind/polish along blades, but this is by no means historically warranted. It is more after the nature of an aspect of modern Western Industrial culture, and is closely associated with the concept of invisible craftsmanship. The oceanic SE Asian cutting sword tang is not, as it is sometimes called, flat. It is a rectangular-section wedge, tapered for width and often for thickness. Certainly the tightness of fit in the hilt does affect the solidity of the joint, and the degree to which the wedge effect is taken advantage of; some blades fit so tightly and well as to almost not require adhesive, while others are so loose there is no real wedge affect. Wood and iron are stronger than pitch and cloth; a tight fit is best if you ask me. On the other hand, there are those who praise the shock absorbtion of softer materials.

15th March 2005, 11:36 AM	#2
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Ian et all, Am Sorry I have been absent. Wonderful blade and a great job on the rehilting! Have not found one of these yet in Manila, howver I'm still looking!

28th March 2005, 05:10 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Another similar one that just ended on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6519537548 Could our Visayan experts perhaps give an approximate date to this sword. This is a nice example and looks to be all there, including a scabbard that may be original to the sword. I notice that the prices on these are rising also.

28th March 2005, 10:57 AM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	I was trying for that one Ian, as was Labantayo. Prices are going nuts. I bid enough that I KNEW I would win, but still got outbid. I would love to see an estimate of the age as well. I'm no expert. Just like them. Steve

28th March 2005, 12:50 PM	#5
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Small brass sheets found at hobby stores are usefull in repairs. Have found brass foil perfect for wraping the peksi of a keris. Not sure where to buy it, should be available on the internet, but it is also in "shielded" electrical & communications cable. Suppose copper just as good. The guage of aluminum foil seems a bit to thick &, but may be usefull for some. Don't think any of these would help much with a retangular tang.

28th March 2005, 05:02 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Bill and Gene: Thanks for the helpful ideas and the source of materials graded by thickness. Steve: The market is getting crazy. Seems as though there could be a few people quietly watching this Forum and getting a handle on what is worth collecting. I've noticed prices have climbed 100% or more in the last few years on stuff that virtually nobody used to bid on. Look at the Bagobo swords, for example. Just a couple of years ago, these often went for $100-120, now you can't get near a halfway decent one for less $200. There was an old Visayan talibon (gareb?) that went for big bucks this weekend too.