A simple sundang

Ferguson · 5th February 2007, 08:33 AM

Hi Dan. That's exactly how I felt, but couldn't put it into words.

It's a commoner's sword, like an arsenal tulwar. The small hilt fits my small hand perfectly, and the hilt is very solid. The baca baca is attached to a metal strap that runs the full lenght of the hilt under the rattan. It's incredibly sharp.

I etched with ferric chloride diluted 4:1. Do you thing vinegar would bring out something more? Would soaking in vinegar possibly soak into the forging flaws causing corrosion in the future?

Thanks much for your reply!

Steve

Rick · 5th February 2007, 02:57 PM

Hi Ferguson,
You should be very careful with strong etchants especially on blades with cold shuts. Did you cover this blade with a baking soda paste and work it into the shuts after etching it with ferric ?

Ferric needs to be totally neutralised or it will keep on eating the steel even after it's dry.

IMO this blade looks a bit burnt, i.e. too dark; kind of like an underexposed picture; a rubdown with lime juice might lighten it a bit and reveal even more activity.

Nice kris.

Ferguson · 5th February 2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Hi Ferguson,

IMO this blade looks a bit burnt, i.e. too dark; kind of like an underexposed picture; a rubdown with lime juice might lighten it a bit and reveal even more activity.

Nice kris.

Thanks Rick,
Louieblades told me the same thing. It's a little lighter in person, but it does need lightening a bit. I'll try the lime juice. Much appreciated.

Steve

Flavio · 5th February 2007, 04:21 PM

Hi Steve, I like it!!! congratulations

wilked aka Khun Deng · 10th February 2007, 08:41 AM

Steve in reference to question on would vinegar bring out something different. I really can't say many others here have more experience, I just knopw in Jolo the two guys I found that could tell me anything about treating the blades told me to soak them in caballa (which I later figured out is a vinegar make from coconuts) and then wipe it down with limes or star fruit. We hollowed out a large chunk of bamboo and depending on the condition of the blade after overnight to three days all corrosion and rust just fell off (actually most of it rose to the surface) and any lamination popped right out. I only used the lime after on one blade and it didn't change anything (I thought then and still do that it was redundant). after the soak the blades were left kind of chalky looking, so we used gun oil. We first tried a light coat and that was quickly (overnight) soaked up. So the next time we put on a heavy coat and that seemed to work the best leaving them with clear shiny coat that wasn still fairly dry to the touch.

I did use regular household vinegar on one of my old Lao blades when I got home and left it in too long and it opened up a lot of cracks along the lamination lines so be careful there.

Dan

10th February 2007, 08:41 AM	#5
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Vinegar Steve in reference to question on would vinegar bring out something different. I really can't say many others here have more experience, I just knopw in Jolo the two guys I found that could tell me anything about treating the blades told me to soak them in caballa (which I later figured out is a vinegar make from coconuts) and then wipe it down with limes or star fruit. We hollowed out a large chunk of bamboo and depending on the condition of the blade after overnight to three days all corrosion and rust just fell off (actually most of it rose to the surface) and any lamination popped right out. I only used the lime after on one blade and it didn't change anything (I thought then and still do that it was redundant). after the soak the blades were left kind of chalky looking, so we used gun oil. We first tried a light coat and that was quickly (overnight) soaked up. So the next time we put on a heavy coat and that seemed to work the best leaving them with clear shiny coat that wasn still fairly dry to the touch. I did use regular household vinegar on one of my old Lao blades when I got home and left it in too long and it opened up a lot of cracks along the lamination lines so be careful there. Dan

5th February 2007, 08:33 AM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Hi Dan. That's exactly how I felt, but couldn't put it into words. It's a commoner's sword, like an arsenal tulwar. The small hilt fits my small hand perfectly, and the hilt is very solid. The baca baca is attached to a metal strap that runs the full lenght of the hilt under the rattan. It's incredibly sharp. I etched with ferric chloride diluted 4:1. Do you thing vinegar would bring out something more? Would soaking in vinegar possibly soak into the forging flaws causing corrosion in the future? Thanks much for your reply! Steve

5th February 2007, 02:57 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Hi Ferguson, You should be very careful with strong etchants especially on blades with cold shuts. Did you cover this blade with a baking soda paste and work it into the shuts after etching it with ferric ? Ferric needs to be totally neutralised or it will keep on eating the steel even after it's dry. IMO this blade looks a bit burnt, i.e. too dark; kind of like an underexposed picture; a rubdown with lime juice might lighten it a bit and reveal even more activity. Nice kris.

5th February 2007, 04:21 PM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Steve, I like it!!! congratulations