GREAT RUST REMOVAL process.

The Double D · 10th February 2007, 08:14 AM

While watching the A&E DVD Shaka Zulu I came up with the solution to my problem, and another great way to derust. By the way if you are interested in Zulu ethnographic art, costumes and weapons this a great video.

In one of the scenes it shows the Zulu's getting ready to go to a battle and the are sharpening their spears on a stone.

So this morning I went out in the garden and found a nice flat quartz like garden stone and started honing.

For finish and detail I got a small stone.

The result was a blade didn't have that fake flat gray chemically cleaned look but a more authentic look with a lot of charactor.

Before and After:

The blade now looks like a typical Zulu blade

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2007, 12:20 PM

Nice one!

katana · 10th February 2007, 12:45 PM

Hi DD,
so simple....yet so effective

I would assume most cultures had their own way of maintaining their weapons......so it would seem for the sake of an authentic look....adopting these 'techniques' for a specific ethnographic blade would be the best solution.
It would be interesting to discover what methods were used by different groups. I know that sand mixed with animal fat is one method employed by nomadic arabic tribes. Formed into a 'paste' and rubbed onto the metal directly.
We all know the use of 'acidic' fruit juice to etch and clean blades in SEA. I wonder if some African tribes used this technique

Are there other maintanence techniques that are known to members..

The Double D · 11th February 2007, 10:55 AM

One word of caution about pineapple juice and fresh pinapple. Should you decide to try this method and ask your wife to add these items to her grocery list, be sure, if you decide on another rust removal method, to let her know before she goes shopping.

Excuse me now I have this desire for a fresh pineapple and pinapple juice snack...yes dear I am coming. With 40 years of marriage you would think I would have learned by now.

10th February 2007, 08:14 AM	#1
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	While watching the A&E DVD Shaka Zulu I came up with the solution to my problem, and another great way to derust. By the way if you are interested in Zulu ethnographic art, costumes and weapons this a great video. In one of the scenes it shows the Zulu's getting ready to go to a battle and the are sharpening their spears on a stone. So this morning I went out in the garden and found a nice flat quartz like garden stone and started honing. For finish and detail I got a small stone. The result was a blade didn't have that fake flat gray chemically cleaned look but a more authentic look with a lot of charactor. Before and After: The blade now looks like a typical Zulu blade

10th February 2007, 12:20 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Nice one!

10th February 2007, 12:45 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi DD, so simple....yet so effective I would assume most cultures had their own way of maintaining their weapons......so it would seem for the sake of an authentic look....adopting these 'techniques' for a specific ethnographic blade would be the best solution. It would be interesting to discover what methods were used by different groups. I know that sand mixed with animal fat is one method employed by nomadic arabic tribes. Formed into a 'paste' and rubbed onto the metal directly. We all know the use of 'acidic' fruit juice to etch and clean blades in SEA. I wonder if some African tribes used this technique Are there other maintanence techniques that are known to members..

11th February 2007, 10:55 AM	#4
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	One word of caution about pineapple juice and fresh pinapple. Should you decide to try this method and ask your wife to add these items to her grocery list, be sure, if you decide on another rust removal method, to let her know before she goes shopping. Excuse me now I have this desire for a fresh pineapple and pinapple juice snack...yes dear I am coming. With 40 years of marriage you would think I would have learned by now.