Barn Find Kris Restoration

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi All,

As can be seen from the seller’s photos, this kris was in considerable need of attention. However, since the price was commensurate with the condition, I decided to accept the challenge. Since the missing baca baca needed to be replaced, the first order of business was removing the hilt. Given the sword’s condition, I very much doubted anyone had bestirred themselves to epoxy the hilt in position and happily,, I was correct. After the hilt had been removed, I put the blade into my specially made kris tank for a 24 hour EvapoRust soak. A post EvapoRust examination revealed an exceedingly neat and close fitting, rectangular mortise in the ganja for the tang. This fit is made all the more remarkable because the fit of the ganja to the blade appears to have the same tight tolerance as an automobile crankshaft bearing. How the smith was able to get both areas so well fitted is a mystery to me. I would have thought that in this case, getting such a tight fit in one area would have gotten in the way of making a tight fit in the other. After the EvapoRust bath came the lengthy polishing with a 3M abrasive pad. Once the polishing was complete, I made the new baca baca and refitted the hilt with a heat sensitive adhesive. I am pleased to have been able to restore this fine blade to much of its former condition.

Sincerely,
RobT

A sensational job Rob.

It is an inspiration, and blades are deserving of such attention.
The ancestors will be smiling.

If you want to take on more.... hourly or flat rate?

[kino]

Bravo RobT. You did an excellent job, especially with the baca-baca.

[RobT]

Gavin Nugent,
If that fine twist core kris were mine, I would work on it. But consider this; I got my blade in 11/2022 and put it in the EvapoRust almost immediately, thereafter I worked on it daily over coffee (30-45 minutes per morning) and was finally satisfied by 09/2023 to do the 2% nital etch.
Unless that is gold plating I see on the baca baca and hilt, I would recommend that to begin, you soak your blade in Evaporust for 24 hrs. Once the solution has been cleaned off, you will have a clearer idea about how much work you are facing. The challenge is black rust sitting in the bottom of pits dug by red rust. To polish, I use a russet 3M pad sandwiched in the jaws of a refrigerator magnet (the type with jaws designed to grip the pad evenly the entire length of the jaws. Good luck.

kino,
Glad you like the work and especially the baca baca. Ironically, making the baca baca is the easiest part.

[Sajen]

Great job! Congrats!