Mandau With Questions

[Dajak]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

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.

Agree complete with you Robert!

[Dajak]

Originally Posted by Robert

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

If you clean the rattan with with nail remover with out oil than we can see.

use ear sticks with little remover.

the other thing the rattan is for have an good hold on it if you cover it with resigin it will be slippery in your hands ......I was in the jungle at the Mahakam
if it is like that you have no good hold just think about that......

it will be different.

Dajak

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Dajak

If you clean the rattan with with nail remover with out oil than we can see.

use ear sticks with little remover.

the other thing the rattan is for have an good hold on it if you cover it with resigin it will be slippery in your hands ......I was in the jungle at the Mahakam
if it is like that you have no good hold just think about that......

it will be different.

Dajak

Always good to know, I don't want a mandau with a slippery grip.
I live in the urban jungle

[Robert]

If you clean the rattan with with nail remover with out oil than we can see.

Thank you very much for the advice on how to hopefully remove the varnish from the rattan weaving on the hilt without causing damage. As I have other items that have had varnish applied as an overall protectant, I believe that I will try the method you have suggested on one or more of them before I try it on this piece.

Best,
Robert

[kai]

Hello Ben,

If you clean the rattan with with nail remover with out oil than we can see.

Is there a reason why you suggest nail remover without oil? Wouldn't that make the rattan very brittle?

Robert, what kind of varnish has commonly been utilized in the US? Maybe alcohol will do and be a bit gentler on the rattan?

Thanks for any input!

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

I've used acetone for a similar problem with very good result. After the removing I've oiled the cleaned parts.
See attached pictures, first picture show a barong handle from my collection, the complete sword was covered with an unknown coating (not shellac), the second one the cleaned handle.