swap meet dha

[Montino Bourbon]

bought this at a local swap meet along with the rencong that I showed a little earlier this week.

Where's it from? Should I polish the silver? Is this type of blade ever worth etching to see if it has an inserted edge? Am I verging on blasphemy?

thank you in advance for your input; this site is not only a wonderful source of knowledge, but fun as well.

[Montino Bourbon]

Oh no! I posted it on the wrong forum! What do I do?

[David]

Oh no! I posted it on the wrong forum! What do I do?
I'll fix it Montino... :)

[Montino Bourbon]

Thank you, David...

[Nathaniel]

Bump!

Hello Montino Bourbon

I would say it's a matter of personal preference whether to polish up the silver fittings & blade.

Where is it from? Probably Northern Thailand/ Burma.

An etching may or may not bring out an insert edge, but would most likely show a good monosteel temper line.

Nice find :)

Nathaniel

[Nathaniel]

Similar debate in another section...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13168

[Montino Bourbon]

Yes, I was following that one too; a very interesting discussion. I'm just wondering whether the silver on this is “patinated” and should be left that way (it's definitely “patinated”) or “dirty”.

How would it be treated in its place of origin? Does anybody know how a person from that area would keep something like this?

To polish or not to polish, that is the question!

[Henk]

Similar debate in another section...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13168

I don't agree the debate in the other section is similar. While other weapons are not touched because of the patina, the keris is cleaned, partly because of esoteric reasons, but also because it is custom to do so with a keris.
i know that this explanation is very plain, and could be reason for critics but read the link and you will understand.

For this dha i think it would be polished in the place of origin. Removing the dirt and the black oxidation of the silver. Silver is ment to be shiny, with exception for Djogya silver. I have a small dha hilt and scabbard silver. I received it polished and shiny, not black and dirty.
My two cents, for what it is worth .....

[Lew]

You can always polish silver but leave brass alone ;)

[Andrew]

I would polish it--the appearance of the oxidation makes me think this is likely low-quality silver and it would be significantly improved with a polish. It's just not very nice-looking patina, and if it were still in its original culture, the owner would keep it clean and polished.

I do not, however, advocate for a blanket policy of polishing the silver on all my dha/daab, etc. Those with very high-quality silver often develop a gorgeous, lustrous patina that is almost blue. I keep those as-is. :cool: