New kris/preservation advice?
 

Just acquired my first legitimate older kris. It looks to be intact (except for the scabbard) but in poor shape. I would like to clean the blade and try to preserve the handle. As you can see the cord wrapping around the this totally shredded. I do believe the pommel is banati wood.

Would appreciate any thoughts on the kris and how I should go about preserving it or even restoring the hilt?

Hi Nathan,

Nice older 19th century kris! :cool: But a challenge to restore it to former glory. The binding will be difficult to do, I am not able to do something like this. I have a kris in my own collection where a friend of mine had given it a new binding, maybe not the best one but adequate IMVHO.
The pommel seems to be indeed made from banati wood, this one I would clean with 000 steel wool, oiling it and giving it a polish with antique wax. The fittings are from silver? Good that they are all present. The scabbard I would also try to restore, I guess that it is soft wood?
Good luck with this project, it would be nice when you would show the restore steps here. ;)
Attached are pics of my one with the steps of the restoration.

Regards,
Detlef