Tawdry Tulwar.

Rick · 14th March 2009, 05:33 PM

If you are going to use a solvent based remover you might want to protect the mastic that holds the blade in the hilt . There's always a chance it may soften along with the paint . You might want to melt a little paraffin wax and paint a few layers of it over the mastic .

I would think any decent gel type paint remover will do the trick quite well .
In the US that would mean 5F5 or Strypeeze .

Norman McCormick · 16th March 2009, 02:45 PM

Hi Guys,
Many thanks for all the suggestions, will talk later about the best way to go about paint removal. It arrived today so a quick few photos just now will take better ones later. Once again thanks for all the help.
My Regards,
Norman.

katana · 16th March 2009, 03:15 PM

Hi Norman,
looks to be a good recent Tulwar (20th C) crisply stamped as well. Quality of recent swords seems to vary enormously (especially the blades). Any idea as to the hilt being steel or brass ? Personally I think the hilt looks OK as it is ....but it would look much more traditional without the paint.

Regards David

Norman McCormick · 16th March 2009, 11:44 PM

Hi,
David thanks for your thoughts, steel hilt. I have some more photos which may or may not make a difference. I wasn't going to do anything with the sword until tomorrow but I noticed that the black paint on the hilt had a crack in it so I started idly picking off the black paint with my fingernail, not as hard as the steel so I reckoned no harm. I'll let the photos do the talking. Is it something 'nice' or just a previous attempt with gold paint? I also noticed that the back edge of the blade had a little pattern to it. The photos are not good, artificial light and a compact camera, I'll take some more tomorrow with my SLR if it is warranted. I may just be seeing things but I want to make sure before I 'restore' it any more. Thanks as usual for all and any thoughts.
My Regards,
Norman.

Rick · 17th March 2009, 01:38 AM

Any fine crosshatching of the metal to be seen underneath that gold ?

Norman McCormick · 17th March 2009, 08:07 PM

Hi Rick,
It would appear that the steel has been prepared to accept further decoration, see photo, I think, although it might just be file marks from shaping. The 'gold colour' seems rather coppery but having said that my grandfathers signet ring is made from 'red' gold which is quite different, colourwise, from yellow gold. I hope the photo may give a further clue as I am into unknown territory here. Can someone give me an idea re the pattern in the steel on the back of the blade. I think someone has had a real go at this sword not only painting the hilt but the blade has been 'sandpapered' in several directions indicating that the blade was mounted when the 'sandpapering' was done leading me to believe that this was not the way the blade was intended to appear by the maker.
Please excuse the earlier short and rather erratic course of my posts with regard to this sword but during this my wee girl has delighted me by announcing that from now on I have to address her with her new title of Doctor as she has successfully passed her final exams from Glasgow University Medical School.

Celebrations are in progress.

My Regards,
A Happy Dad, Norman.

16th March 2009, 02:45 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi Guys, Many thanks for all the suggestions, will talk later about the best way to go about paint removal. It arrived today so a quick few photos just now will take better ones later. Once again thanks for all the help. My Regards, Norman. Attached Images

16th March 2009, 11:44 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi, David thanks for your thoughts, steel hilt. I have some more photos which may or may not make a difference. I wasn't going to do anything with the sword until tomorrow but I noticed that the black paint on the hilt had a crack in it so I started idly picking off the black paint with my fingernail, not as hard as the steel so I reckoned no harm. I'll let the photos do the talking. Is it something 'nice' or just a previous attempt with gold paint? I also noticed that the back edge of the blade had a little pattern to it. The photos are not good, artificial light and a compact camera, I'll take some more tomorrow with my SLR if it is warranted. I may just be seeing things but I want to make sure before I 'restore' it any more. Thanks as usual for all and any thoughts. My Regards, Norman. Attached Images

17th March 2009, 08:07 PM	#6
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi Rick, It would appear that the steel has been prepared to accept further decoration, see photo, I think, although it might just be file marks from shaping. The 'gold colour' seems rather coppery but having said that my grandfathers signet ring is made from 'red' gold which is quite different, colourwise, from yellow gold. I hope the photo may give a further clue as I am into unknown territory here. Can someone give me an idea re the pattern in the steel on the back of the blade. I think someone has had a real go at this sword not only painting the hilt but the blade has been 'sandpapered' in several directions indicating that the blade was mounted when the 'sandpapering' was done leading me to believe that this was not the way the blade was intended to appear by the maker. Please excuse the earlier short and rather erratic course of my posts with regard to this sword but during this my wee girl has delighted me by announcing that from now on I have to address her with her new title of Doctor as she has successfully passed her final exams from Glasgow University Medical School. Celebrations are in progress. My Regards, A Happy Dad, Norman. Attached Images Last edited by Norman McCormick; 17th March 2009 at 08:47 PM.

14th March 2009, 05:33 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	If you are going to use a solvent based remover you might want to protect the mastic that holds the blade in the hilt . There's always a chance it may soften along with the paint . You might want to melt a little paraffin wax and paint a few layers of it over the mastic . I would think any decent gel type paint remover will do the trick quite well . In the US that would mean 5F5 or Strypeeze .

16th March 2009, 03:15 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Norman, looks to be a good recent Tulwar (20th C) crisply stamped as well. Quality of recent swords seems to vary enormously (especially the blades). Any idea as to the hilt being steel or brass ? Personally I think the hilt looks OK as it is ....but it would look much more traditional without the paint. Regards David

17th March 2009, 01:38 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Any fine crosshatching of the metal to be seen underneath that gold ?