Mandau With Questions

Sajen · 10th February 2018, 09:22 PM

Hello Robert,

a very good buy!

It look much better as on the auction pictures. And it seems to be a fairly old one. Also better to have a more recent scabbard with it as no scabbard. I really like your mandau, special by the price you paid for it!

Best regards,
Detlef

Dajak · 11th February 2018, 04:37 PM

Hi here I found one with similair blade this is the old style how an Mandau looks like.

The one Willem shows maybe same period as yours Robert.

Dajak

asomotif · 11th February 2018, 11:46 PM

After 20 years collecting mandaus, I am getting a bit confused by this thread.

According to Ben, the top handle is old style, I assume the rattan work is also the old style, old patina, old resin.

The lower handle of Roberts mandau is a recent one, according Ben 1970 / 1980. The rattan also must be new. the differences between the two should be Obvious

Dajak · 12th February 2018, 05:13 AM

Willem take an good look at the rattan not the same.
same style but not so fine.

Hope you can see it know they put dirt to hide it.

This Mandau came from Steen Strombergs private collection.

Dajak

Robert · 12th February 2018, 05:49 AM

What you are most likely seeing is not dirt but a coating of old varnish applied by a previous owner. If you look closely right above the rattan you will see a small darkened area left from where I had sealed the rattan from the exposed antler before I removed the varnish from it. The entire sword was covered in a thick coating of it when it first arrived. I removed it all from the blade as well but was leery of trying to remove it from the woven section of the hilt for fear of causing damage to either the rattan or resin. If you could possibly recommend a safe way to remove it without causing any damage I would be very grateful for the information.

Best,
Robert

Robert · 12th February 2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

a very good buy! It look much better as on the auction pictures. And it seems to be a fairly old one. Also better to have a more recent scabbard with it as no scabbard. I really like your mandau, special by the price you paid for it!

Detlef, Thank you for your kind words. I totally agree that even a more resent replacement scabbard is much better than no scabbard at all.

I was worried mostly that this would turn out to be just another piece made for those who travel. If it was meant as more of an everyday work tool than as a weapon is fine with me as well. As I mentioned earlier if it was not for how cheep that I was able to win it for I doubt that I would have been able to add one of these very interesting swords to my collection.

Best,
Robert

asomotif · 12th February 2018, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

If you could possibly recommend a safe way to remove it without causing any damage I would be very grateful for the information.

Best,
Robert

Hello Robert,
I would not try to remove varnish from the rattan.
Either mechanical or with detergents, it will not improve the condition of the rattan imo.

Robert · 12th February 2018, 04:43 PM

Thank you Willem. I was worried that when trying to remove it from that area of the hilt that even using a mild chemical remover (as I did on the blade and exposed antler) that it might possibly cause damage to the rattan or resin.

Best,
Robert

Dajak · 12th February 2018, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

What you are most likely seeing is not dirt but a coating of old varnish applied by a previous owner. If you look closely right above the rattan you will see a small darkened area left from where I had sealed the rattan from the exposed antler before I removed the varnish from it. The entire sword was covered in a thick coating of it when it first arrived. I removed it all from the blade as well but was leery of trying to remove it from the woven section of the hilt for fear of causing damage to either the rattan or resin. If you could possibly recommend a safe way to remove it without causing any damage I would be very grateful for the information.

Best,
Robert

They put it on to hide the poor craftmanschap of the rattan binding .....if it is old the resign it wil come of by it self.
Don t try to remove it .

Robert · 12th February 2018, 08:37 PM

Hello Dajak, I hate to disagree with you on the craftsmanship of the rattan binding, but if you had it in hand you would see that it is just as nice as that on the one you have shown. As this was supposed to be a WWII bring back I do not believe that the varnish was put on it to try to hide anything but was applied to help protect it as was the fashion of the time.

Best,
Robert

11th February 2018, 04:37 PM	#2
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi here I found one with similair blade this is the old style how an Mandau looks like. The one Willem shows maybe same period as yours Robert. Dajak Attached Images Last edited by Dajak; 11th February 2018 at 07:38 PM.

11th February 2018, 11:46 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	After 20 years collecting mandaus, I am getting a bit confused by this thread. According to Ben, the top handle is old style, I assume the rattan work is also the old style, old patina, old resin. The lower handle of Roberts mandau is a recent one, according Ben 1970 / 1980. The rattan also must be new. the differences between the two should be Obvious Attached Images

12th February 2018, 05:13 AM	#4
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Willem take an good look at the rattan not the same. same style but not so fine. Hope you can see it know they put dirt to hide it. This Mandau came from Steen Strombergs private collection. Dajak Attached Images

10th February 2018, 09:22 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Hello Robert, a very good buy! It look much better as on the auction pictures. And it seems to be a fairly old one. Also better to have a more recent scabbard with it as no scabbard. I really like your mandau, special by the price you paid for it! Best regards, Detlef

12th February 2018, 05:49 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	What you are most likely seeing is not dirt but a coating of old varnish applied by a previous owner. If you look closely right above the rattan you will see a small darkened area left from where I had sealed the rattan from the exposed antler before I removed the varnish from it. The entire sword was covered in a thick coating of it when it first arrived. I removed it all from the blade as well but was leery of trying to remove it from the woven section of the hilt for fear of causing damage to either the rattan or resin. If you could possibly recommend a safe way to remove it without causing any damage I would be very grateful for the information. Best, Robert

12th February 2018, 04:43 PM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you Willem. I was worried that when trying to remove it from that area of the hilt that even using a mild chemical remover (as I did on the blade and exposed antler) that it might possibly cause damage to the rattan or resin. Best, Robert

12th February 2018, 08:37 PM	#10
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Dajak, I hate to disagree with you on the craftsmanship of the rattan binding, but if you had it in hand you would see that it is just as nice as that on the one you have shown. As this was supposed to be a WWII bring back I do not believe that the varnish was put on it to try to hide anything but was applied to help protect it as was the fashion of the time. Best, Robert