ID of a Balinese keris

A. G. Maisey · 22nd March 2019, 09:53 PM

David is correct Anthony, the hilt only needs to be correctly fitted, we need to do that very often.

The best tool to remove old cloth, or hair is perhaps a cork screw. Once any garbage has been removed if the hole still needs to be deepened a sharpened screw driver is good, or a chisel. If the hole is too tight, rather than too deep, do not make the mistake of taking an electric drill to it, you can finish up with a hilt broken into several pieces, clamp a drill bit horizontally into a bench vice and using it like an auger to gradually increase the diameter of the hole is probably the safest approach. You start with a drill bit that is close to the size of the existing hole and work up a step at a time to bigger bits. You twist the hilt onto the bit.

Knitting wool is probably the best medium to bind a tang with.

Make sure that the tang is not too long for the hilt by measuring it against the hilt, and also make sure that the hole does not go off at an angle and exit through the side of the hilt.

Rafngard · 23rd March 2019, 01:44 AM

In terms of getting fabric/string/cord, etc out of the bottom of the hole in an ukiran, I've had good luck with a pair of nail scissors of the sort in the attached picture.

Have fun,
Leif

Rick · 23rd March 2019, 02:06 AM

A dental pick works wonders .

A. G. Maisey · 23rd March 2019, 03:24 AM

Yeah, I've used those too Rick.

Actually old discarded dental tools can be very useful in many ways. The ones with a slightly broad blade can be sharpened to act as mini chisels that can be extremely useful in fine restoration work.

Anthony G. · 23rd March 2019, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

David is correct Anthony, the hilt only needs to be correctly fitted, we need to do that very often.

The best tool to remove old cloth, or hair is perhaps a cork screw. Once any garbage has been removed if the hole still needs to be deepened a sharpened screw driver is good, or a chisel. If the hole is too tight, rather than too deep, do not make the mistake of taking an electric drill to it, you can finish up with a hilt broken into several pieces, clamp a drill bit horizontally into a bench vice and using it like an auger to gradually increase the diameter of the hole is probably the safest approach. You start with a drill bit that is close to the size of the existing hole and work up a step at a time to bigger bits. You twist the hilt onto the bit.

Knitting wool is probably the best medium to bind a tang with.

Make sure that the tang is not too long for the hilt by measuring it against the hilt, and also make sure that the hole does not go off at an angle and exit through the side of the hilt.

Thanks for the guide

23rd March 2019, 01:44 AM	#2
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 349	In terms of getting fabric/string/cord, etc out of the bottom of the hole in an ukiran, I've had good luck with a pair of nail scissors of the sort in the attached picture. Have fun, Leif Attached Images Last edited by Rafngard; 23rd March 2019 at 03:59 AM. Reason: Correcting a typo

22nd March 2019, 09:53 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	David is correct Anthony, the hilt only needs to be correctly fitted, we need to do that very often. The best tool to remove old cloth, or hair is perhaps a cork screw. Once any garbage has been removed if the hole still needs to be deepened a sharpened screw driver is good, or a chisel. If the hole is too tight, rather than too deep, do not make the mistake of taking an electric drill to it, you can finish up with a hilt broken into several pieces, clamp a drill bit horizontally into a bench vice and using it like an auger to gradually increase the diameter of the hole is probably the safest approach. You start with a drill bit that is close to the size of the existing hole and work up a step at a time to bigger bits. You twist the hilt onto the bit. Knitting wool is probably the best medium to bind a tang with. Make sure that the tang is not too long for the hilt by measuring it against the hilt, and also make sure that the hole does not go off at an angle and exit through the side of the hilt.

23rd March 2019, 02:06 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	A dental pick works wonders .

23rd March 2019, 03:24 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Yeah, I've used those too Rick. Actually old discarded dental tools can be very useful in many ways. The ones with a slightly broad blade can be sharpened to act as mini chisels that can be extremely useful in fine restoration work.