SULU KALIS

[xasterix]

Hullo, just sharing pics of a partially restored kalis from my godfather's collection. Enjoy!

[kino]

Nice pattern. I like it.
What did you use to etch/stain the blade with?
Thanks for sharing.

[xasterix]

Nice pattern. I like it.
What did you use to etch/stain the blade with?
Thanks for sharing.

Halloo sir, just good old white vinegar =)

[kino]

Datu Puti?😊
Did you soak it or brushed on?
Here’s an old photo of a dark stained blade.

[xasterix]

Datu Puti?😊
Did you soak it or brushed on?
Here’s an old photo of a dark stained blade.

Yes Datu Puti indeed! I dunked it for hours. It had a loooot of rust, there are remnants still visible in the pics.

[kai]

Halloo sir, just good old white vinegar =)
This contrast is more than unusual for etching by vinegar.

Soaking rusted blades in organic acids can activate earlier etchants, especially warangan.

Usage of warangan might not have been terribly common but the blade from the historic pic does look like it got a good dose of arsenic! (Or merely some kind of paint? :eek: )

Regards,
Kai

[xasterix]

This contrast is more than unusual for etching by vinegar.

Soaking rusted blades in organic acids can activate earlier etchants, especially warangan.

Usage of warangan might not have been terribly common but Date Puti's blade does look like it got a good dose of arsenic! (Or even some kind of paint? :eek: )

Regards,
Kai

I was also amazed by how the contrast jumped. Thanks very much for this assessment =)

[kai]

You're welcome, Xas!

BTW, could you add a close-up of the base of the blade, please?

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

Nice pattern. They were making pattern welded up into the 1960s. I would place this piece around that time.

[xasterix]

You're welcome, Xas!

BTW, could you add a close-up of the base of the blade, please?

Regards,
Kai

Hi Kai, sorry it's not yet fully restored, this was the last closeup I got. The background obscures the elephant face.

[Ian]

Nice example Xas! Very active pattern on the blade. Would you say mid-20th C or a little later? Classic Sulu kalis for that period.

[xasterix]

Nice example Xas! Very active pattern on the blade. Would you say mid-20th C or a little later? Classic Sulu kalis for that period.

Hullo Ian sorry am not versed at dating kalis- but thanks for that estimate! I'll clean this up further and give better pics in the future.

[kai]

Hello Xas,

Hi Kai, sorry it's not yet fully restored, this was the last closeup I got. The background obscures the elephant face.
Yes, it is really tough to restore kalis without dismounting the blades; usually this can be achieved without too much hassle.

A pic with plain background would be great whenever you get a chance... ;)

The age estimates seem reasonable - the hilt looks well above average from that period though. I'm not convinced that production of laminated blades stopped throughout the Sulu archipelago - like with the separate katik, I'd guess that traditional production continued in remote areas...

Regards,
Kai

[xasterix]

Hello Xas,


Yes, it is really tough to restore kalis without dismounting the blades; usually this can be achieved without too much hassle.

A pic with plain background would be great whenever you get a chance... ;)

The age estimates seem reasonable - the hilt looks well above average from that period though. I'm not convinced that production of laminated blades stopped throughout the Sulu archipelago - like with the separate katik, I'd guess that traditional production continued in remote areas...

Regards,
Kai

Hullo Kai,

I'm not yet done restoring it, sorry this is what I can manage at the moment.

[xasterix]

Finally made some progress in restoration, got tired of waiting for fine brass brush, and just straightaway sharpened and etched.

[Battara]

Oh yes much nicer now.