Restoration Workshop Library.

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by RDGAC

Sorry to perform a bit of Thread Necromancy, everyone, but what's the score on this idea? Have there been discussions; has any progress been made? For what it's worth, I like the concept a lot; it'd be a shame if it faded into the background again.

I second these thoughts. I hope this comes to fruition. Thanks, Rick.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by rickystl

I second these thoughts. I hope this comes to fruition. Thanks, Rick.

Salaams, Im certain that everyone agrees and even if it was an alphabetical Index which forumites could add to gradually ~ later it could be expanded. I would wager that most items appearing in the forum have had some form of restoration work applied even basic cleaning and oiling... I feel that a simple "add to index" would take the strain off moderator involvement. This could even just be a thread.. Look at Jims thread on blade marks ... its collosal in terms of readership and importance to the forum... Why not just open another what I would term Superthread called Restoration... and see how that fills up...?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[RDGAC]

Second that suggestion. The thread could simply be an index, to which members would be trusted to add useful links. Moderator involvement would still be necessary in order to incorporate the various sub-threads into a Table of Contents in the first post, but if the members post links in the body of the threads itself then not only is the workload of the Mods considerably reduced (owing to the links' concentration therein), but any suggestions which don't make the ToC are still easily located by those seeking them.

Best,

Meredydd

[laEspadaAncha]

I look forward to benefitting form this repository of knowledge, and graciously thank those who have committed their time to this effort.

Would this thread be the best place to make suggestions for the consideration of the members working on this project? I am sure there are many of us who, while not involved in this project, might have suggestions pertaining to content or structure that would add value...

[katana]

Gentlemen,
I believe this idea is a very good one....but I have reservations. Numerous Techniques of restoration are the same as 'manufacture', which may help the 'fakers' or those that 'dress-up' less valuable weapons for profit. We could end up passing useful information to these individuals.

I believe that this information should be protected by limiting access ....ie members only and perhaps a 'minimum' number of postings before access. This would help limit viewing to potential fakers and perhaps more inexperienced collectors whom may 'unwittingly' attempt restoration on a 'significant' piece.

Kind Regards David

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by katana

Gentlemen,
I believe this idea is a very good one....but I have reservations. Numerous Techniques of restoration are the same as 'manufacture', which may help the 'fakers' or those that 'dress-up' less valuable weapons for profit. We could end up passing useful information to these individuals.

I believe that this information should be protected by limiting access ....ie members only and perhaps a 'minimum' number of postings before access. This would help limit viewing to potential fakers and perhaps more inexperienced collectors whom may 'unwittingly' attempt restoration on a 'significant' piece.

Kind Regards David

Salaams, Thats a fair one. It could be done like that or similar.. No one likes throwing away trade secrets thats true.. Minimum postings access is a clever addition. Perhaps we can get this up and running as a pilot scheme and reassess it after 3 months/ 6 months... Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[RDGAC]

Originally Posted by katana

Gentlemen,
I believe this idea is a very good one....but I have reservations. Numerous Techniques of restoration are the same as 'manufacture', which may help the 'fakers' or those that 'dress-up' less valuable weapons for profit. We could end up passing useful information to these individuals.

I believe that this information should be protected by limiting access ....ie members only and perhaps a 'minimum' number of postings before access. This would help limit viewing to potential fakers and perhaps more inexperienced collectors whom may 'unwittingly' attempt restoration on a 'significant' piece.

Kind Regards David

A fair concern, David, but I suspect (sadly) that any "trade secrets" held on this board are already out in the hands of fakers and charlatans anyway; this being a public forum, it's hardly the sort of place where security is particularly tight. I admit that this thread would effectively put all the eggs in one easy-to-reach basket, however; perhaps, if the security concern is paramount, we could do as suggested above.

A password-protected sub-forum is an obvious solution, which has only the debit points of increased Moderator workload and restrictiveness to consider. Unfortunately, whilst I'm no philosopher, I worry that restricting access to such information would perhaps be a betrayal of what I can best term the spirit of this forum; is it not here that the curious, the learners, and the lucky owners of antique arms, may benefit from the knowledge herein regardless of whether or not they elect to join up?

It seems a pity to close the doors to our library.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by RDGAC

A fair concern, David, but I suspect (sadly) that any "trade secrets" held on this board are already out in the hands of fakers and charlatans anyway; this being a public forum, it's hardly the sort of place where security is particularly tight. I admit that this thread would effectively put all the eggs in one easy-to-reach basket, however; perhaps, if the security concern is paramount, we could do as suggested above.

A password-protected sub-forum is an obvious solution, which has only the debit points of increased Moderator workload and restrictiveness to consider. Unfortunately, whilst I'm no philosopher, I worry that restricting access to such information would perhaps be a betrayal of what I can best term the spirit of this forum; is it not here that the curious, the learners, and the lucky owners of antique arms, may benefit from the knowledge herein regardless of whether or not they elect to join up?

It seems a pity to close the doors to our library.

"do as much as is necessary, and as little as is possible"

Salaams

~Well put !! Perhaps a modicum of security would suffice though I'm with you on the spirit of the forum absolutely.

Fakers are like poachers : expert in creating the desired effect through good field craft skills consequently I dont think we are going to teach that fraternity anything since I suspect they already know it. On the contrary it is many of the skills of the faker that we are after, though, for a different reason. (Some of the best art fakes are made by expert art restorers).

Most forum articles have a degree of restoration attached to them therefor it is an important part of the entire specialisation but the problem is how to set it up ? For minimum maintenance I suggest a mega thread similar to the blade mark issue set up by Jim onto which every contributor simply pours their tried and tested tips ideas on restoration. Perhaps when it achieves about 20,000 inputs it can be logically reorganised unless there is a clever way of alphabetic organising from the get go..

It only requires the techniques and tips not neccessarily the full blown restoration on for example a 400 year old cannon barrel since that would go to forum as normal... Just the specific ideas technique\s and tips is what we need on anything from basic cleaning to rust removal and polishing.

I just found an excellent leather nourishing product from an old source in the UK MADE BY BEES ! It is superb and we use it on all our equestrian leather, tack etc Its great on Terrs shields, scabbards, bayonet and sword frogs and bodrics etc RENAPUR (TYPE INTO COMPUTER SEARCH) Marvellous !!

To give the finished leather article a polish up just buff with a dry cloth and vaseline. Vaseline !! Theres a simple tip !!

Tips for shifting rust off blades can be graded ... I mean the most non invasive thing to do is nothing... except oil the blade; but what is the next least invasive technique ? Coka cola(1) (how long?) and the next? aluminium rubbing (2) (brilliant trick) and the next? lemon salt(3) and the next? the lightest abrasive(4) and the next etc etc ~ So that a logical sequence can be viewed by novices and experienced players alike however it comes down to experience so that the more advanced can go straight to say technique (8) and work back to (0) leap frogging techniques as they see fit whilst less experienced learners can move slowly through the techniques and so on...

It certainly does not replace the forum discussion on various restoration projects moreover it enhances the process ~ I mean hardly anyone would start messing with a wootz blade if they didnt know the workshop techniques and the advice on highly specialised stuff like that to beginners is going to always be "preserve don't invade". Preservation wax or Sewing Machine Oil and a clean cloth. Even after wiping the blade off with a clean cloth Japanese sword masters throw away the cloth. ( That was another tip)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by katana

Gentlemen,
I believe this idea is a very good one....but I have reservations. Numerous Techniques of restoration are the same as 'manufacture', which may help the 'fakers' or those that 'dress-up' less valuable weapons for profit. We could end up passing useful information to these individuals.

I believe that this information should be protected by limiting access ....ie members only and perhaps a 'minimum' number of postings before access. This would help limit viewing to potential fakers and perhaps more inexperienced collectors whom may 'unwittingly' attempt restoration on a 'significant' piece.

Kind Regards David

The first paragraph above of David's Post is exactly my concern, as in my Post #9 of this Thread.
I think it would be fair to say that at some stage we have all come across signs of grinding wheels and excessive cleaning. While this might be what a non collector is happy with to hang on the wall for decoration, it is not what the average collector will generally tolerate. Often a nice original piece which would have had an age patina has been ruined. Items like this DO come up for sale from various quarters regularly.
Perhaps (if this idea proceeds) some guides as to how to identify this practice could be included.
Regards Stu