Chrome On Philippine Blades Question

DAHenkel · 16th April 2011, 03:17 PM

Leave it - its part of the sword's history...

Spunjer · 16th April 2011, 03:23 PM

Btw, congrats on getting that for cheap! I was watching it as well...

Sajen · 16th April 2011, 03:59 PM

Hi Robert,

I was bidding on this as well but don't went higher because the blade was chromed. I am with Dave, keep it like this, it is still a nice sword and the chromed blade is part of the history of this sword.

Regards,

Detlef

Battara · 16th April 2011, 05:34 PM

To answer your question more specifically, to my knowledge it was not common practice for Filipinos or Moros to chrome plate their blades.

Robert · 16th April 2011, 05:55 PM

Thank you all for your opinions on what should or should not be done about the chrome plating on this piece. Now that I have read the rest of the comments and found that it was not a common practice in the Philippines to do this type of plating I think that I will be removing the chrome sometime in the future.

Robert

Battara · 16th April 2011, 07:34 PM

I do this carefully with varying grades of sandpaper and stones. I resist using a machine sander because there are little swirls it creates.

Also difficult to tell if it is chrome or nickel plate (which adheres closer to the steel and also not used in the Philippines in general nor Indonesia).

Hopefully yours is chromed which should come off easier.

Nathaniel · 17th April 2011, 03:21 AM

Likewise I have not seen Chromed examples on Thai or Burmese swords...but I do have one example:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6349

Robert · 25th April 2011, 05:35 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of this item after the chrome was removed and a light etch applied to the blade. The blade does have an inserted hardened edge but it is hard to see in the pictures as I had to take them inside, it is raining here again today.

Now a light cleaning to the brass fittings and I'm done. Removing the chrome was a pain in the (insert appropriate word of your choice here) and I am very happy that I only have one more item that this needs to be done too.

Robert

16th April 2011, 05:55 PM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you all for your opinions on what should or should not be done about the chrome plating on this piece. Now that I have read the rest of the comments and found that it was not a common practice in the Philippines to do this type of plating I think that I will be removing the chrome sometime in the future. Robert Last edited by Robert Coleman; 16th April 2011 at 06:07 PM.

25th April 2011, 05:35 PM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Here are a couple of pictures of this item after the chrome was removed and a light etch applied to the blade. The blade does have an inserted hardened edge but it is hard to see in the pictures as I had to take them inside, it is raining here again today. Now a light cleaning to the brass fittings and I'm done. Removing the chrome was a pain in the (insert appropriate word of your choice here) and I am very happy that I only have one more item that this needs to be done too. Robert Attached Images

16th April 2011, 03:17 PM	#1
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Leave it - its part of the sword's history...

16th April 2011, 03:23 PM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Btw, congrats on getting that for cheap! I was watching it as well...

16th April 2011, 03:59 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Hi Robert, I was bidding on this as well but don't went higher because the blade was chromed. I am with Dave, keep it like this, it is still a nice sword and the chromed blade is part of the history of this sword. Regards, Detlef

16th April 2011, 05:34 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	To answer your question more specifically, to my knowledge it was not common practice for Filipinos or Moros to chrome plate their blades.

16th April 2011, 07:34 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I do this carefully with varying grades of sandpaper and stones. I resist using a machine sander because there are little swirls it creates. Also difficult to tell if it is chrome or nickel plate (which adheres closer to the steel and also not used in the Philippines in general nor Indonesia). Hopefully yours is chromed which should come off easier.

17th April 2011, 03:21 AM	#7
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Likewise I have not seen Chromed examples on Thai or Burmese swords...but I do have one example: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6349