Very Old Arabian Saif

kai · 26th May 2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.carter

I currently have the "silvo" silver polishing lube. You say that these lubes are bad, what should i use other than that? Thanks.

Hello Mark,

I believe jeweller's rouge to be a pretty safe bet. I have a similar compound in an boiled linseed oil base which works great to touch up wood and also works nicely on silver and some other materials.

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 27th May 2006, 09:14 PM

Kai is right. IN addition you can also use a jewelers cloth. The liquid "tarn-x" or stuff like that distroy the finish that is there beneath the tarnish.

Michael Blalock · 28th May 2006, 12:36 AM

Nice sword and an unusual blade. Shaped a little like a Japanese sword.

Battara · 28th May 2006, 07:10 PM

One other point regarding cleaning the tarnish off the silver. I had forgotton the name of another soft abrasive that I would recommend first: "Never Dull" which can be googled, then afterwards use a jeweler's cloth (also called a "sunshine cloth). This is what I do sometimes and find it effective without micro-gouging the surface.

katana · 29th May 2006, 07:04 PM

As already pointed out, the blade really does have all the hallmarks of a Katana. Is it possible that it is a re-mounted katana? Shipping routes from Japan to Europe via the Suez Canal (open to shipping in 1869) were, I believe, common. Before the opening of the canal, goods were sometimes transported by being offloaded from ships and carried overland between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. This was often quicker and safer (the cape was often treacherous to sea farers.)
It is not impossible for a Japanese sword or blade to find its way to the middle east.......and then re-mounted.

A very interesting sword........if only your saif could talk.....

Tim Simmons · 29th May 2006, 07:18 PM

If that is so, why do we not see more locally finished Japanese trade blades in the northern hemisphere? It does look like the Japanese cavalry sabre blade used into ww2. I hate to be the one that pours cold water on it but look at the freshness of the blade. lovely scabbard and handle but I have a feeling this is an early 20th century construction.

katana · 29th May 2006, 07:52 PM

I was not suggesting the sword is of great age, just offering the possibility that, because trade increased with Japan after the opening of the Suez, that even 120 years ago it could be possible that a Japanese blade could have ended up in the middle east. Not necessarily as a 'trade' blade either, (as Tim pointed out, why are there not more?) Perhaps (as I was thinking) a trophy, gift or personal purchase by a trader/crew member etc later sold on .......who knows...this is after all ...just speculation

Obviously as time progressed through the 20th C the probability (of a Japanese blade in the Middle East) increases dramatically. (the World Wars, commercial airlines etc etc)

27th May 2006, 09:14 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Kai is right. IN addition you can also use a jewelers cloth. The liquid "tarn-x" or stuff like that distroy the finish that is there beneath the tarnish.

28th May 2006, 12:36 AM	#3
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Nice sword and an unusual blade. Shaped a little like a Japanese sword.

28th May 2006, 07:10 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	One other point regarding cleaning the tarnish off the silver. I had forgotton the name of another soft abrasive that I would recommend first: "Never Dull" which can be googled, then afterwards use a jeweler's cloth (also called a "sunshine cloth). This is what I do sometimes and find it effective without micro-gouging the surface.

29th May 2006, 07:04 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	As already pointed out, the blade really does have all the hallmarks of a Katana. Is it possible that it is a re-mounted katana? Shipping routes from Japan to Europe via the Suez Canal (open to shipping in 1869) were, I believe, common. Before the opening of the canal, goods were sometimes transported by being offloaded from ships and carried overland between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. This was often quicker and safer (the cape was often treacherous to sea farers.) It is not impossible for a Japanese sword or blade to find its way to the middle east.......and then re-mounted. A very interesting sword........if only your saif could talk.....

29th May 2006, 07:18 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	If that is so, why do we not see more locally finished Japanese trade blades in the northern hemisphere? It does look like the Japanese cavalry sabre blade used into ww2. I hate to be the one that pours cold water on it but look at the freshness of the blade. lovely scabbard and handle but I have a feeling this is an early 20th century construction.

29th May 2006, 07:52 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I was not suggesting the sword is of great age, just offering the possibility that, because trade increased with Japan after the opening of the Suez, that even 120 years ago it could be possible that a Japanese blade could have ended up in the middle east. Not necessarily as a 'trade' blade either, (as Tim pointed out, why are there not more?) Perhaps (as I was thinking) a trophy, gift or personal purchase by a trader/crew member etc later sold on .......who knows...this is after all ...just speculation Obviously as time progressed through the 20th C the probability (of a Japanese blade in the Middle East) increases dramatically. (the World Wars, commercial airlines etc etc)