Need Help with my first Keris

nechesh · 4th April 2006, 12:28 AM

Welcome William. Sometimes it helps to do a good search of the old threads since this is ground we have covered many times now. Here's a link to the old forum which has some very valuable info for you.

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000717.html
As for the wobble, you probably just need to wrap a little extra material around the tang (pesi) to tighten up the fit. You are going to need to remove the hilt anyway to clean your blade, so just twist it carefully back and forth while pulling it towards you and the handle should easily come off. You should use thin strips of material or thread (some use yarn), but add it slowly and check the fit. It you over do it you could crack the hilt putting it back on.
Did your keris come with a sheath?

William.m · 4th April 2006, 12:41 AM

Hi nechesh thanks for the reply.

The looseness that I was talking about was with the sheath/scabbard. I will post some more pictures of the sheath tomorrow, as it is in pretty bad condition. I have been a long time lurker on this forum and the old, and I have read that post you kindly linked me. Thing is that I don't want to use these fruit acids on the blade as the blade's white pattern (nickle) will dull, and I do not have access to the arsnic needed to clean the blade, nor do I want to use it with there being kids running around the house.

Many thanks,

William

Rick · 4th April 2006, 02:03 AM

Are those grind marks I see on the edge ?

William , try a toothbrush and some oil for starters .

William.m · 4th April 2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

William , try a toothbrush and some oil for starters .

Okay done that, although instead of oil I used a dishwasher soap. I got some results but there is still plenty of red rust that will not go. Later today I am considering putting the blade in a bath of lemon juice, or possibly rubbing half a lemon on the blade. But instead of this could I give it a bath of vinegar instead?

Many thanks,

Will

Rick · 4th April 2006, 03:49 PM

Will , I think you might do better with unsweetened pineapple juice as it is less acidic than your other two choices . Being less acidic the process might take longer but you will have more control .

William.m · 4th April 2006, 07:23 PM

Hello, I have managed to clean off most of the rust using half a lemon, worked very well!

The only problem now is that the blade is a tad too shiny and so is there any way to blacken it a bit without having to use arsnic or anything like that?

Cheers,

Will

Henk · 4th April 2006, 08:32 PM

Will,

Although not the usual way you can use ferric chloride to get the pamor back. Another method is sulphur acid. But before you do this you should remove al the rust with the lemon juice. I suppose you already did this because the blade is shiny. But the best thing you can do is find somebody who can re-etch the blade with arsenic. Then you get the pamor back with the blade deep black.

4th April 2006, 12:28 AM	#1
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Welcome William. Sometimes it helps to do a good search of the old threads since this is ground we have covered many times now. Here's a link to the old forum which has some very valuable info for you. http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000717.html As for the wobble, you probably just need to wrap a little extra material around the tang (pesi) to tighten up the fit. You are going to need to remove the hilt anyway to clean your blade, so just twist it carefully back and forth while pulling it towards you and the handle should easily come off. You should use thin strips of material or thread (some use yarn), but add it slowly and check the fit. It you over do it you could crack the hilt putting it back on. Did your keris come with a sheath?

4th April 2006, 12:41 AM	#2
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Hi nechesh thanks for the reply. The looseness that I was talking about was with the sheath/scabbard. I will post some more pictures of the sheath tomorrow, as it is in pretty bad condition. I have been a long time lurker on this forum and the old, and I have read that post you kindly linked me. Thing is that I don't want to use these fruit acids on the blade as the blade's white pattern (nickle) will dull, and I do not have access to the arsnic needed to clean the blade, nor do I want to use it with there being kids running around the house. Many thanks, William

4th April 2006, 02:03 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Are those grind marks I see on the edge ? William , try a toothbrush and some oil for starters .

4th April 2006, 03:49 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Will , I think you might do better with unsweetened pineapple juice as it is less acidic than your other two choices . Being less acidic the process might take longer but you will have more control .

4th April 2006, 07:23 PM	#6
William.m Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 104	Hello, I have managed to clean off most of the rust using half a lemon, worked very well! The only problem now is that the blade is a tad too shiny and so is there any way to blacken it a bit without having to use arsnic or anything like that? Cheers, Will

4th April 2006, 08:32 PM	#7
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Will, Although not the usual way you can use ferric chloride to get the pamor back. Another method is sulphur acid. But before you do this you should remove al the rust with the lemon juice. I suppose you already did this because the blade is shiny. But the best thing you can do is find somebody who can re-etch the blade with arsenic. Then you get the pamor back with the blade deep black.