to restore or not to restore...

[David]

People have a lot of different ideas of what "restoration" entails as well as the differences between "conservation" and "restoration".
My thinking is to do as little as possible when possible and not to do anything that is not reversible. In my field of collecting (keris) we are talking about a living tradition and i tend to try to follow the traditions around this as maintained by the culture of origin. Keris have been and are still routinely cleaned and restrained in places like Jawa in order to show the blade in it's best light. And the fascination that many Western collectors have about collecting and maintaining antique dress are not such a consideration within the originating keris culture where sheaths and hilts are continually updated as old dress falls into disrepair. Silver and gold aspects are meant to be kept shiny, so tarnished old silver fittings is not seen as adding any value to your old keris. Broken sheaths and hilts are seen as being disrespectful to the spirit of the blades, so if you are not able to repair broken dress it is generally accepted that new should be commissioned for your blade.
Again, while this may apply to other blades from around the world, this is something that is specific to keris. And no matter what the folks on Antique Roadshow would have to say about it, keris are not old coins or 17th century furnishings. Each genre of collectable antiques is going to have its own rules about this.

[Sajen]

Good that David come back to the topic.

This could become a very interesting thread. There are for sure different opinions about maintenance and restoration and it will be most intersting to read and discuss them.
So I have shown examples which have received maintenance and others which have received real restoration and hoped to discuss this but it seems that coins are more interesting!

[fernando]

Don't worry Sajen; the thread has not yet ended. And while some non weapons restoring considerations took place, be sure your examples are being appreciated .

[fernando]

Would you Gentlemem say that this kind of restoration should have not taken place ?

.

[JBG163]

A real problem with amateur restoration, even cleaning the red rust with 250 or 400 or 600 grit can smoothen an edge (I mean, an edge of a fuller, the two edges of the back etc...) when it is normally sharp. I have seen a lot of «*cleaned*» things, finally harmed more than cleaned. I would say that the best to clean active rust is to use dear antler and oil. And let the black rust and pitting to professional

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by JBG163

A real problem with amateur restoration, even cleaning the red rust with 250 or 400 or 600 grit can smoothen an edge (I mean, an edge of a fuller, the two edges of the back etc...) when it is normally sharp. I have seen a lot of «*cleaned*» things, finally harmed more than cleaned. I would say that the best to clean active rust is to use dear antler and oil. And let the black rust and pitting to professional

Yes, this I see similar! I've learned by my first job education to file a set square from a piece of iron so I know what I am doing and what I am not able to do I give to people who are able to do it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=visayan+kris I was sure that this blade was ruined by a real amateur restorer but a good friend was able to give the blade back it's original shape.
Another example is this Visayan knife which seems ruined by an amateur but Roland (our member Roland_M) gives it back the typical beveled edge.

Regards,
Detlef

[gp]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes, this I see similar! I've learned by my first job education to file a set square from a piece of iron so I know what I am doing and what I am not able to do I give to people who are able to do it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=visayan+kris I was sure that this blade was ruined by a real amateur restorer but a good friend was able to give the blade back it's original shape.
Another example is this Visayan knife which seems ruined by an amateur but Roland (our member Roland_M) gives it back the typical beveled edge.

Regards,
Detlef

very beautiful done. Question: as the blade looks like new now, what about the grip? Do you do something with or to the grip or leave it as is ?

FYI:
I treated the wooden handle of some pre 1870 pinfire revolvers with almond oil to feed the wood and avoid it from drying out...
Also bone handles of Bosnian ones I treat with a drop of virgin olive oil for the same reason.

Or is this not done with cold weapons?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by fernando

Would you Gentlemem say that this kind of restoration should have not taken place ?.

Definitely yes, restoration exactly like this. Restored to the original look!

[gp]

Originally Posted by fernando

Would you Gentlemem say that this kind of restoration should have not taken place ?

.

)
it is beautiful and of added value ( moneywise I would not know as I lack that knowledge but defenitely from a conservation point of view. Respeito

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by fernando

Don't worry Sajen; the thread has not yet ended. And while some non weapons restoring considerations took place, be sure your examples are being appreciated .

Don't understand me wrong Fernando, I don't want to earn "ah" & "oh" for the restore jobs but want to read if people agree or have a different view!

Regards,
Detlef