18th Century Moro kris?

[Battara]

By all means, etch the piece - probably no need for polish, and get the pommel remade. Just make sure you get it back and that the carver does it according to old tribal standards.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

By all means, etch the piece - probably no need for polish, and get the pommel remade. Just make sure you get it back and that the carver does it according to old tribal standards.

Hi Jose,

thank you for advice. What do you think, is it better to remove the handle (next problem: I don't know how) or cut it and hide the cut by a new silver band? I have nearly no experience with Moro kris restoration so all my stupid questions! I don't want to destroy something.

[Battara]

Good question. You could cut the top and have the new pommel placed on top, with a new silver band.

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

For a traditional repair job you will have to remove the binding; this example exhibits a fairly simple pattern but still I'd prefer to keep it despite some loose threads near the pommel.

Quite a few pommels are socketed with a seperate piece of wood (of lesser quality hidden by the grip bindings/decorations). Usually these are secured by a wooden/bamboo pin - this will be tough to remove though (without some moving of the bindings). Can you peek under the loose thread to verify wether grip and pommel are seperate?

If not, you could still saw off the pommel and craft a good fit when the new pommel arrives (the socket should be rectangular so that the pommel can't turn). It's not easy to get a good fit but certainly worth to spend some time on.

BTW, I'd definitely go for a diminutive pommel; good quality bunti would be great.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Hello Jose and Kai,

so far I can see is the grip made from one piece of wood and I think that it would be the best (like you both instigate) to cut the pommel and fix a new one and to coat this with a new silver band. I would like to keep the old binding. Of course have to look the new pommel daintily in old style.

Thank you both for your help,

Detlef

[Battara]

I now have more time to answer: I agree with Kai 100%. I would add that the cord wrap would need to have another recoating of black lacquer.

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

BTW, don't saw off the pommel until you receive the replacement hilt!

I'd suggest to ask the carver to prepare the pommel with a rectangular socket and its final depth would determine where to saw off the damaged pommel. It's much easier to file the extending stump into a "nut" exactly fitting a given socket than having to carve the socket...

Maybe it would be good to provide the carver with a cast so that the fit is going to be as close as possible?

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Detlef,

BTW, don't saw off the pommel until you receive the replacement hilt!

I'd suggest to ask the carver to prepare the pommel with a rectangular socket and its final depth would determine where to saw off the damaged pommel. It's much easier to file the extending stump into a "nut" exactly fitting a given socket than having to carve the socket...

Maybe it would be good to provide the carver with a cast so that the fit is going to be as close as possible?

Regards,
Kai

Very good hint to let carve the pommel socket more big, thank you!

BTW, I have tried a first etch, not very successful, the comlete blade get darkened. Any advise?

Best,

Detlef