My first MANDAU

Battara · 4th June 2006, 09:22 PM

I also agree about not cleaning the hilt - that is the work of original patina and is needed to indicate age. However, I would replace the missing hair in the front nose of the hilt. Nice piece.

Valjhun · 4th June 2006, 09:27 PM

Many thanks to all of you!

Battara, there are several holes indicating that there were hair all around the hilt. Any ideas how to glue that hair?

Rick · 4th June 2006, 09:31 PM

Weren't these tufts originally held in by small wooden plugs ?
Or is that practice limited to the hairy kampilan .

Battara · 4th June 2006, 09:32 PM

1. could use pitch
2. could use epoxy
3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair

I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.

VANDOO · 5th June 2006, 03:17 AM

PITCH CAN MOSTLY BE REMOVED BY HEATING OR SOLVENTS, WATER BASED ELMERS GLUE CAN BE REMOVED COMPLETELY BY SOAKING IN WATER, EPOXY IS GOOD BUT IS UNFORGIVING AND DIFFICULT TO REMOVE.

SO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER HOW PERMANENT YOU WANT THINGS TO BE BECAUSE YOU MAY WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING LATER. UNDOOING CAN BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING THAN DOOING

Dajak · 5th June 2006, 11:49 AM

Hi the best thing to do do it with Damar hars and oil that is the original way the Dajaks did.

Valjhun · 5th June 2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi the best thing to do do it with Damar hars and oil that is the original way the Dajaks did.

What is a Damar hars?

Henk · 5th June 2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

1. could use pitch
2. could use epoxy
3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair

I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.

Battara, on the hilt or on your head??

Mark · 5th June 2006, 06:58 PM

That looks like a nice example. From what I have heard, it is very rare to find the by-knife, as they are considered more important to the owners due to their being used to clean & prepare the taken heads (rather than just take them).

I have to admit that there is something very creepy to me about mandaus. It can't be just the head-hunting thing. Maybe it is the decoration of the carving.

Dajak · 5th June 2006, 09:42 PM

The by knife they use for carving and split rattan

Damar hars can be get at an store for painting supply for oilpainting

Valjhun · 6th June 2006, 01:47 PM

Yes, verry creepy indeed. I was always wondering ir the hilt is made from, ehm, human bone?

4th June 2006, 09:22 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I also agree about not cleaning the hilt - that is the work of original patina and is needed to indicate age. However, I would replace the missing hair in the front nose of the hilt. Nice piece.

4th June 2006, 09:27 PM	#2
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Many thanks to all of you! Battara, there are several holes indicating that there were hair all around the hilt. Any ideas how to glue that hair?

4th June 2006, 09:31 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Weren't these tufts originally held in by small wooden plugs ? Or is that practice limited to the hairy kampilan .

4th June 2006, 09:32 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	1. could use pitch 2. could use epoxy 3. could use epoxy and a small wooden plug in the middle of the hair I have used #2 with great success and a lot of hair.

5th June 2006, 03:17 AM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	PITCH CAN MOSTLY BE REMOVED BY HEATING OR SOLVENTS, WATER BASED ELMERS GLUE CAN BE REMOVED COMPLETELY BY SOAKING IN WATER, EPOXY IS GOOD BUT IS UNFORGIVING AND DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. SO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER HOW PERMANENT YOU WANT THINGS TO BE BECAUSE YOU MAY WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING LATER. UNDOOING CAN BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING THAN DOOING

5th June 2006, 11:49 AM	#6
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi the best thing to do do it with Damar hars and oil that is the original way the Dajaks did.

5th June 2006, 06:58 PM	#9
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	That looks like a nice example. From what I have heard, it is very rare to find the by-knife, as they are considered more important to the owners due to their being used to clean & prepare the taken heads (rather than just take them). I have to admit that there is something very creepy to me about mandaus. It can't be just the head-hunting thing. Maybe it is the decoration of the carving.

5th June 2006, 09:42 PM	#10
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	The by knife they use for carving and split rattan Damar hars can be get at an store for painting supply for oilpainting

6th June 2006, 01:47 PM	#11
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Yes, verry creepy indeed. I was always wondering ir the hilt is made from, ehm, human bone?