Seax? and a conservation question

Matchlock · 9th October 2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. McCormack

My understanding is that washing may be the best option, and that the tannin treatment really doesnt do anything.

Sorry to differ but in my 30 years of restoring experience, tannin has definitely proved to have a both cementing and tightening effect. Moreover it generates a very smooth and homogenous black surface. Nor more problems with material losses of excavated iron objects!
You may ask any good museum restorer.

Michael

G. McCormack · 9th October 2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

Sorry to differ but in my 30 years of restoring experience, tannin has definitely proved to have a both cementing and tightening effect. Moreover it generates a very smooth and homogenous black surface. Nor more problems with material losses of excavated iron objects!
You may ask any good museum restorer.

Michael

Michael- I'm no expert, and I'm not trying to contradict you or your experience- just passing along info I gathered from Dr. David Scott, Chair of the UCLA/Getty Conservation Center, professor at UCLA, and author of the two most important metals conservation books to be published yet.

Regarding the knife, does it appear the bone handle has been turned to shape?

TVV · 9th October 2009, 04:47 PM

Thank you everyone,

I will leave it up to my friend, but I do not see any reason why he should not try the tannin solution.

I am not certain what "turned to shape" means.

Regards,
Teodor

G. McCormack · 10th October 2009, 03:13 PM

I was just wondering if the bone handle was turned on a lathe

TVV · 10th October 2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. McCormack

I was just wondering if the bone handle was turned on a lathe

Still no idea.

kronckew · 10th October 2009, 11:45 PM

lathe for turning objects

a piece of wood or bone held between two points and rotated, a cutting tool (chisel) is then pressed against it to produce a rounded object of circular cross section like a chair leg, or a knife grip. the illustration is the earliest known inscription found in ptolomeic egypt. the rotation is by a cord wrapped around one end and the free ends are pulled to spin the object alternately clockwise and counter-clockwise. similar lathes are still in use in parts of asia. see 'pole lathe' in google. this is 'turning'.

another one, foot operated

(i'm a degreed mechanical engineer, so my mind is geared to know these things

)

9th October 2009, 04:47 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Thank you everyone, I will leave it up to my friend, but I do not see any reason why he should not try the tannin solution. I am not certain what "turned to shape" means. Regards, Teodor

10th October 2009, 03:13 PM	#4
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	I was just wondering if the bone handle was turned on a lathe

10th October 2009, 11:45 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	lathe for turning objects a piece of wood or bone held between two points and rotated, a cutting tool (chisel) is then pressed against it to produce a rounded object of circular cross section like a chair leg, or a knife grip. the illustration is the earliest known inscription found in ptolomeic egypt. the rotation is by a cord wrapped around one end and the free ends are pulled to spin the object alternately clockwise and counter-clockwise. similar lathes are still in use in parts of asia. see 'pole lathe' in google. this is 'turning'. another one, foot operated (i'm a degreed mechanical engineer, so my mind is geared to know these things )