Sundang for comment

Sajen · 10th December 2016, 02:58 PM

Hello Drac2k,

I would agree with Jose in nearly all points. I also would place this nice warrior piece by the turn of the centuries. That you have polished the blade bring out only the original grinding finish from the blade. Great that this blade is still in such good condition. But agree with Jose that this blade need a good etch, again, you can't make something wrong when you etch it with vinegar, it would be a shame don't to etch this nice piece. Very nice with the mansala in a very good condition. Very nice piece, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 10th December 2016, 03:54 PM

Thanks Detlef for the kind comments ; on the vinegar etch, maybe someday.

drac2k · 10th December 2016, 05:07 PM

Here are some better pictures of the ganja.

kai · 10th December 2016, 06:34 PM

Yup, definitely a separate gangya!

I'd also believe this Moro kris to be first quarter of the 20th century or even a bit younger. Interesting arrangement of fullers at the base!

Regards,
Kai

drac2k · 11th December 2016, 04:10 AM

Thanks for the information Kai.

Battara · 11th December 2016, 05:03 AM

I agree with Kai - separate ganga - a great thing to have for an earlier piece. Much later do we see gangas simulated by an engraving line.

Good for you!

kai · 11th December 2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

I'd also believe this Moro kris to be first quarter of the 20th century or even a bit younger.

Sorry, I meant older, i. e. possibly also later 19th c.

BTW, I'd also strongly endorse etching of this blade: Very likely laminated! And this blade is sound enough to be able to deal with a lot of etching attempts...

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 12th December 2016, 01:18 AM

There are pictures of datus holding kris and barong that are etched dark.

drac2k · 12th December 2016, 02:00 AM

Thank you all for your information and comments ; I will take them into consideration.

Ian · 11th December 2016, 05:14 AM

Agree with many of the comments so far, particularly with respect to an etching.

Drac, the nice thing about light etching with vinegar is that you can erase a mistake very easily by simply doing a fine polish to bring the blade back to bright metal. In fact, that is really the only way to learn about etching blades--it is somewhat trial and error, and a lot of experimentation. Because you never know quite what you have until you look, there really is no perfect procedure to follow that will produce an excellent result in all cases.

Take a crack at it, and you may be surprised by what you find.

Ian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thanks Detlef for the kind comments ; on the vinegar etch, maybe someday.

drac2k · 11th December 2016, 03:38 PM

Now I am about to show my ignorance ; would the original owner of a sundang or a barong (not a kris ), etch his blade , especially a fighting sword?
I suppose, my first etch, will be like learning to swim; you just have to jump in...........wait was that big dark shadow I see, is that a fin ?!?

Sajen · 11th December 2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Now I am about to show my ignorance ; would the original owner of a sundang or a barong (not a kris ), etch his blade , especially a fighting sword?
I suppose, my first etch, will be like learning to swim; you just have to jump in...........wait was that big dark shadow I see, is that a fin ?!?

Hello Drac2k,

there is really no danger to find a white shark in your pool.

It's like Ian write, when you don't like the result just clean the blade again like you describe byself. Clean the blade with aceton and brush the blade with a hot vinegar solution. I personally use vinegar essence (20%) with water. Heat the blade as well a little bit and brush the blade with the solution. Sometimes the reaction is fast, sometimes slow, just like Ian write before. Just try it, there is 100% not the tiniest risk to harm the blade!

After this rinse the blade by very warm water, dry it and polish it up with oil. Maybe you will be very surprised.
As far if the Moros etch their blades: it seems that they have done it like a few old pictures show, it was a topic in some old discussions.
And frankly said look a bright blade by an antique weapon a little bit vexing, see the comment from Jose!

An etch darken the blade. This you can control by the etching agent and the final polish. Vinegar is a very mild etching agent, like said, it can't harm the blade. Have a look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=kris You see the result of a vinegar etch, one of my early attempts.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 11th December 2016, 04:36 PM

Here another example from my collection: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=kris

drac2k · 11th December 2016, 05:33 PM

Wow..........you got some very fantastic and remarkable results from your etchings; certainly a very compelling reason to do so.

10th December 2016, 05:07 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	Here are some better pictures of the ganja. Attached Images

10th December 2016, 02:58 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,270	Hello Drac2k, I would agree with Jose in nearly all points. I also would place this nice warrior piece by the turn of the centuries. That you have polished the blade bring out only the original grinding finish from the blade. Great that this blade is still in such good condition. But agree with Jose that this blade need a good etch, again, you can't make something wrong when you etch it with vinegar, it would be a shame don't to etch this nice piece. Very nice with the mansala in a very good condition. Very nice piece, congrats! Regards, Detlef

10th December 2016, 03:54 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	Thanks Detlef for the kind comments ; on the vinegar etch, maybe someday.

10th December 2016, 06:34 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Yup, definitely a separate gangya! I'd also believe this Moro kris to be first quarter of the 20th century or even a bit younger. Interesting arrangement of fullers at the base! Regards, Kai

11th December 2016, 04:10 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	Thanks for the information Kai.

11th December 2016, 05:03 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	I agree with Kai - separate ganga - a great thing to have for an earlier piece. Much later do we see gangas simulated by an engraving line. Good for you!

12th December 2016, 01:18 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	There are pictures of datus holding kris and barong that are etched dark.

12th December 2016, 02:00 AM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	Thank you all for your information and comments ; I will take them into consideration.

11th December 2016, 03:38 PM	#11
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	Now I am about to show my ignorance ; would the original owner of a sundang or a barong (not a kris ), etch his blade , especially a fighting sword? I suppose, my first etch, will be like learning to swim; you just have to jump in...........wait was that big dark shadow I see, is that a fin ?!?

11th December 2016, 04:36 PM	#13
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,270	Here another example from my collection: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=kris

11th December 2016, 05:33 PM	#14
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	Wow..........you got some very fantastic and remarkable results from your etchings; certainly a very compelling reason to do so.