What Would You Do ?

Robert · 26th February 2009, 12:18 AM

Here is a bolo I recently received. I knew exactly what kind of shape it was in before I bought it because of the detailed pictures the seller provided. The horn hilt has an extreme amount of worm damage.

I really hate it when I see things like this bolo that were completely neglected and left to rot with no attempt being made to preserve them at all.

To keep from having to grind off the end of the tang to remove the grip and then carve a new one out of horn I opted to replace the damaged areas with epoxy putty. This way I could also retain what is left of the original grip and stabilize it at the same time. The pictures show what it looked like when first received and what it looks like now. At this point it is only roughed in and not yet smooth enough to be stained to match the original horn. I will post more pictures when I am finished with it. My question to all is, what would you have done if this was yours?

Robert

Sajen · 26th February 2009, 02:10 AM

Hello Robert,
I think that is the best you can do with a damaged handle like this. Well done! Think the end result will be nice.
sajen

G. McCormack · 26th February 2009, 05:21 AM

Nice job, I think since its so extensive, I might have drawn even more attention to it, using epoxy mixed with some colored pigments or metal flakes or something snazzy like that.
Nice handle shape on that one, looks really comfy.

Ferguson · 26th February 2009, 03:31 PM

You can buy epoxy colorants at Texas Knifemakers Supply www.texasknife.com .

Some folks have also used a bit of model paint in their epoxy. When I'm patching horn, I use just a little black, and the tiniest bit of red. With clear epoxy, a slightly translucent mix works fairly well.

Steve

Robert · 27th February 2009, 02:17 AM

Sajen and G. McCormack, Thank you both for your comments on what I have done so far. I think after staining the epoxy will look fine and match in with the horn pretty well. At least I hope it will !!

Steve, Thank you for the link to the supplies and for the tips on how to do the repairs. Again, thank you all for your interest.

Robert

LPCA · 3rd March 2009, 07:48 AM

Hi.

Unfortunately, old blades we find are not museum items, but genuine and interesting for their blade...with hilts a bit destroyed or more.

We are not restoration specialized craftmen. We just try to give a bit of live to the hilts....

See the attached pics.
For the nimcha (horn) and the flyssah (bone), i used a synthetic mastic that i first coloured in the mass with powder.

For the yathatan, i followed a description of repair by Adni (Oriental-Arms) see archives.
I remade the ears with hard wood (quite difficult because of the spatial volume or shape), 2 pieces of ivory on each side, metallic central strip readorned and gilded (gold leaf).
Heavy duty, my lords.

Louis-Pierre

26th February 2009, 12:18 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	What Would You Do ? Here is a bolo I recently received. I knew exactly what kind of shape it was in before I bought it because of the detailed pictures the seller provided. The horn hilt has an extreme amount of worm damage. I really hate it when I see things like this bolo that were completely neglected and left to rot with no attempt being made to preserve them at all. To keep from having to grind off the end of the tang to remove the grip and then carve a new one out of horn I opted to replace the damaged areas with epoxy putty. This way I could also retain what is left of the original grip and stabilize it at the same time. The pictures show what it looked like when first received and what it looks like now. At this point it is only roughed in and not yet smooth enough to be stained to match the original horn. I will post more pictures when I am finished with it. My question to all is, what would you have done if this was yours? Robert Attached Images

3rd March 2009, 07:48 AM	#6
LPCA Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toulouse - FRANCE Posts: 83	Hi. Unfortunately, old blades we find are not museum items, but genuine and interesting for their blade...with hilts a bit destroyed or more. We are not restoration specialized craftmen. We just try to give a bit of live to the hilts.... See the attached pics. For the nimcha (horn) and the flyssah (bone), i used a synthetic mastic that i first coloured in the mass with powder. For the yathatan, i followed a description of repair by Adni (Oriental-Arms) see archives. I remade the ears with hard wood (quite difficult because of the spatial volume or shape), 2 pieces of ivory on each side, metallic central strip readorned and gilded (gold leaf). Heavy duty, my lords. Louis-Pierre Attached Images

26th February 2009, 02:10 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,608	Hello Robert, I think that is the best you can do with a damaged handle like this. Well done! Think the end result will be nice. sajen

26th February 2009, 05:21 AM	#3
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	Nice job, I think since its so extensive, I might have drawn even more attention to it, using epoxy mixed with some colored pigments or metal flakes or something snazzy like that. Nice handle shape on that one, looks really comfy.

26th February 2009, 03:31 PM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	You can buy epoxy colorants at Texas Knifemakers Supply www.texasknife.com . Some folks have also used a bit of model paint in their epoxy. When I'm patching horn, I use just a little black, and the tiniest bit of red. With clear epoxy, a slightly translucent mix works fairly well. Steve

27th February 2009, 02:17 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Sajen and G. McCormack, Thank you both for your comments on what I have done so far. I think after staining the epoxy will look fine and match in with the horn pretty well. At least I hope it will !! Steve, Thank you for the link to the supplies and for the tips on how to do the repairs. Again, thank you all for your interest. Robert