A Pair of Ethiopian Swords

derek · 10th July 2005, 03:34 PM

On the blade - a lot of mineral oil, elbow grease, and a plastic scotchbrite. I haven't done anything to the grip as I suspect anything that will take off paint will probably harm the horn as well. And that would suck.

Rick · 10th July 2005, 04:38 PM

Try a credit card or dull butter knife edge (even your fingernail) and it might scrape off nicely without damaging the horn if it's not too thick . This method works quite well for removing old finish from chairs without damaging the patina underneath .
Of course work with the grain .

fearn · 10th July 2005, 05:02 PM

Hi Rick,

Thanks for that idea! Would something like an ice scraper or plastic putty knife work as well as a credit card?

Rick · 10th July 2005, 05:49 PM

Hi Fearn , I would guess so but go easy and test a small area before diving in .
I have also scraped a lot of chairs with a small jack knife that was dull .
You don't want to be taking shavings from the base material .

With the painted hilt I showed earlier in this thread a fingernail will remove the finish . I am just reluctant to do this because I don't know whether the finish was applied by the originating culture or the collector/museum that wound up with it .

As always ; first do no harm .

roanoa · 10th July 2005, 06:13 PM

Hi Derek. Here is the hilt of one of my swords. It looks very similar to yours and it is painted black as well. I have not tried to remove the paint. I think it is "original". Also, note the cavity on the side of the top piece. You have one too. It is an indication that the grip 1s made of buffalo horn and not rhino. Glad you could clean up the sword. RON

derek · 10th July 2005, 10:16 PM

Hi Roano,

Thanks for the info, I have a few others that are black as well, but without the indent that you correctly noted on this one. Question: is it definitely buffalo horn in your estimation, because it is fairly tanslucent and that led me to think rhino. I've seen enough variation in rhino now that I'm often not sure, especially when it's under paint.
-d

PS, thanks for the lion head, it's a keeper. I noticed what looks like a very worn six point star near the base of the blade. Do you know who the maker was?

10th July 2005, 04:38 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Idea Try a credit card or dull butter knife edge (even your fingernail) and it might scrape off nicely without damaging the horn if it's not too thick . This method works quite well for removing old finish from chairs without damaging the patina underneath . Of course work with the grain .

10th July 2005, 06:13 PM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Hi Derek. Here is the hilt of one of my swords. It looks very similar to yours and it is painted black as well. I have not tried to remove the paint. I think it is "original". Also, note the cavity on the side of the top piece. You have one too. It is an indication that the grip 1s made of buffalo horn and not rhino. Glad you could clean up the sword. RON Attached Images

10th July 2005, 03:34 PM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	On the blade - a lot of mineral oil, elbow grease, and a plastic scotchbrite. I haven't done anything to the grip as I suspect anything that will take off paint will probably harm the horn as well. And that would suck.

10th July 2005, 05:02 PM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Rick, Thanks for that idea! Would something like an ice scraper or plastic putty knife work as well as a credit card?

10th July 2005, 05:49 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Hi Fearn , I would guess so but go easy and test a small area before diving in . I have also scraped a lot of chairs with a small jack knife that was dull . You don't want to be taking shavings from the base material . With the painted hilt I showed earlier in this thread a fingernail will remove the finish . I am just reluctant to do this because I don't know whether the finish was applied by the originating culture or the collector/museum that wound up with it . As always ; first do no harm .

10th July 2005, 10:16 PM	#6
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Roano, Thanks for the info, I have a few others that are black as well, but without the indent that you correctly noted on this one. Question: is it definitely buffalo horn in your estimation, because it is fairly tanslucent and that led me to think rhino. I've seen enough variation in rhino now that I'm often not sure, especially when it's under paint. -d PS, thanks for the lion head, it's a keeper. I noticed what looks like a very worn six point star near the base of the blade. Do you know who the maker was?