MY FIRST BARONG

Tim Simmons · 7th May 2006, 04:16 PM

No,no,no leave it as it is, look at the beautiful sheen of the forming patina. It is in A1 condition and no damage to the handle. Just my feelings folks.

Rick · 7th May 2006, 04:45 PM

I don't think we've ever discussed whether these swords were polished bright by their original owners and makers .

Anyone care to comment on this ?

Battara · 9th May 2006, 01:50 AM

If I remember correctly, these were originally etched when they were finished. Not sure if they were always kept in this condition, but I do know that subsequent Euro/American owners who loved "shiny" things would polish these up to be very shiny, even if it meant taking off any markings on the blade

(it has happened). This mentality also resulted in often throwing away the scabbards

(they did this to American Civil War swords as well

).

ariel · 9th May 2006, 02:36 AM

I guess it is a matter of taste: in Arabian countries old blades are always polished by the collectors to the mirror-type shine. European collectors prefer their blades clean but patinated (at least what they say in the Saudi book "Weapons of the Islamic World").

Tim Simmons · 9th May 2006, 06:59 AM

Just letting a natural patina develop means the only intervention is a light clean with the finest steel wool and oil now and again, No harm done, and if the previous owner or owners have done so, the object remains pretty much as found. Without one trying to leave the world a better place

.

Spunjer · 9th May 2006, 12:15 PM

i just find filipino swords unkept very disrespectful. here's a kris that was 'westernized', as explained by battara, where the blade was polished. the odd thing was, whoever did it neglected the gangya and the handle was left to frayed.

Spunjer · 9th May 2006, 12:22 PM

only after etching the blade did the true beauty came out..

Ian · 9th May 2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

i just find filipino swords unkept very disrespectful. here's a kris that was 'westernized', as explained by battara, where the blade was polished. the odd thing was, whoever did it neglected the gangya and the handle was left to frayed.

Ron:

The gangya area can be tedious to clean -- lots of little nooks and crannies -- and I think people get lazy with their "restoration" work, and leave that area to its natural state. We see this on many kris, even those coming out of Mindanao today. To some extent corrosion of the gangya may be related to kris being kept in scabbards that don't completely cover that area, but I think many times it's because the area is just too much of a chore to clean well.

Ian

7th May 2006, 04:45 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	To Each His Own ... I don't think we've ever discussed whether these swords were polished bright by their original owners and makers . Anyone care to comment on this ?

9th May 2006, 12:15 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	i just find filipino swords unkept very disrespectful. here's a kris that was 'westernized', as explained by battara, where the blade was polished. the odd thing was, whoever did it neglected the gangya and the handle was left to frayed. Attached Images

9th May 2006, 12:22 PM	#7
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	only after etching the blade did the true beauty came out.. Attached Images

7th May 2006, 04:16 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	No,no,no leave it as it is, look at the beautiful sheen of the forming patina. It is in A1 condition and no damage to the handle. Just my feelings folks.

9th May 2006, 01:50 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	If I remember correctly, these were originally etched when they were finished. Not sure if they were always kept in this condition, but I do know that subsequent Euro/American owners who loved "shiny" things would polish these up to be very shiny, even if it meant taking off any markings on the blade (it has happened). This mentality also resulted in often throwing away the scabbards (they did this to American Civil War swords as well ).

9th May 2006, 02:36 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I guess it is a matter of taste: in Arabian countries old blades are always polished by the collectors to the mirror-type shine. European collectors prefer their blades clean but patinated (at least what they say in the Saudi book "Weapons of the Islamic World").

9th May 2006, 06:59 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Just letting a natural patina develop means the only intervention is a light clean with the finest steel wool and oil now and again, No harm done, and if the previous owner or owners have done so, the object remains pretty much as found. Without one trying to leave the world a better place .