Cleaning a rusty khanjar without removing koftgari

[blue lander]

Thanks. The back of the hilt and scabbard only have a little koftgari on them, I'm going to try to clean that side by covering it with a tissue soaked in coca cola for a few hours. I'll see if it damages the decorations before I try it on the front.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by blue lander

Thanks. The back of the hilt and scabbard only have a little koftgari on them, I'm going to try to clean that side by covering it with a tissue soaked in coca cola for a few hours. I'll see if it damages the decorations before I try it on the front.

Ok soapy water only and a soft brush.....coke is acidic. Use at your own peril... Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[blue lander]

Thank you. It sounds like there's no way to aggressively remove the rust without damaging the koftgari. I'll just have to settle for stabilizing the active rust and then leave it be.

Out of curiosity, what's the current status of the khanjar in Syria? I've seen a lot of weird modern looking touresty khanjars up for auction out of there recently. Do the locals still wear them or do they only produce them for tourists?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by blue lander

Thank you. It sounds like there's no way to aggressively remove the rust without damaging the koftgari. I'll just have to settle for stabilizing the active rust and then leave it be.

Out of curiosity, what's the current status of the khanjar in Syria? I've seen a lot of weird modern looking touresty khanjars up for auction out of there recently. Do the locals still wear them or do they only produce them for tourists?

I have no idea..Going to Syria is an outing consisting of some danger..The styles of Omani artefact and Syrian are remarkably similar across a broad spectrum...oddly though not in bladed weapons as each is distinct. What is clear however is that the destruction of Forts and antiquities is of a very serious proportion and even Crac de Chevaliers has come under bombardment. Ancient souks have been wiped off the map...There will be nothing left soon...Tourists? Are you joking? There's a war on... there are none.

[blue lander]

Fair point. Rather than "currently" I should have said "recently" as in the last 5-10 years. I'm just wondering if it was/is a live tradition over there.

[David R]

I had some success using scrunched up aluminium foil as a scrub.... harder than soft rust but softer than silver. Usual caveat though, go gently and stop if you see the koftgari lifting.