Luzon itak?

[Robert]

Hello Detlef, Your friend has done another very nice job of straightening out the damaged point on this piece too. As for why the fingerprints on the blade keep showing up after etching, I am afraid that I cannot be of any help in trying to explain why this keeps happening. Being less than graceful I unfortunately am prone to lacerating my fingertips on a regular basis when cleaning certain items in my collection and have never had this happen. Even after having the blood remain on the piece for several days it has always cleaned up with no problems and never shown up after etching.

Best,
Robert

[Ian]

Hi Detlef:

I've not seen blood stains on a blade survive a good polish and etch before. Generally these are the same as rust. If you take the surface off, then the stain should not return.

Instead of fingerprints I think the marks may be "chatter" arising from grinding of the blade. If you look at the close up pictures of the brass, you can see residual lines from grinding also. A little persistent rust within the grooves on the blade would lead to a recurring pattern on re-etching. Removing more metal would likely solve the problem.

Given the sloppy work done previously along the back edge near the tip, I wonder if this was previously one of the long knives that the Spanish required Filipinos to square off the tip and "de-weaponize" in the late 19th C. When the owner wanted to make it more weapon-like, he could have ground back the original squared off end to create something more deadly. Just a thought.

Ian.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Detlef:

I've not seen blood stains on a blade survive a good polish and etch before. Generally these are the same as rust. If you take the surface off, then the stain should not return.

Instead of fingerprints I think the marks may be "chatter" arising from grinding of the blade. If you look at the close up pictures of the brass, you can see residual lines from grinding also. A little persistent rust within the grooves on the blade would lead to a recurring pattern on re-etching. Removing more metal would likely solve the problem.

Hi Ian,

agree with you, it look clearly like rust. My first thought have been that the prints are from touching the blade after neutralization with etching solution. After receiving the sword I've tried to polish away the "print" on one side with steel wool without success. I think that I have to living with it.

Regards,
Detlef