New kris/preservation advice?

[wildwolberine]

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?

[Sajen]

Hi Nathan,

Nice older 19th century kris! 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

[RobT]

wildwolberine,

Very nice kris you have there. It deserves the best restoration effort. Since Kiwi Wood Preen is no longer available, to clean the pommel I would start out with a toothbrush and Murphy’s Oil Soap. Get it as clean as you can with that and let it dry. If it still needs more attention, I would use a wood cleaner wax (or even Meguiar’s Automotive Cleaner Wax) and 0000 steel wool (I’m sure Sajen meant 0000 and not 000). Study the existing hilt wrap you have. It doesn’t look too complex. You should be able to come up with a close approximation. Cleaning the blade will be a bear though.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by RobT

(I’m sure Sajen meant 0000 and not 000).

Exactly! Sorry!