swap meet dha

Montino Bourbon · 16th January 2011, 08:02 PM

bought this at a local swap meet along with the rencong that I showed a little earlier this week.

Where's it from? Should I polish the silver? Is this type of blade ever worth etching to see if it has an inserted edge? Am I verging on blasphemy?

thank you in advance for your input; this site is not only a wonderful source of knowledge, but fun as well.

Montino Bourbon · 16th January 2011, 08:03 PM

Oh no! I posted it on the wrong forum! What do I do?

David · 16th January 2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montino Bourbon

Oh no! I posted it on the wrong forum! What do I do?

I'll fix it Montino...

Montino Bourbon · 16th January 2011, 08:26 PM

Thank you, David...

Nathaniel · 18th January 2011, 11:41 PM

Bump!

Hello Montino Bourbon

I would say it's a matter of personal preference whether to polish up the silver fittings & blade.

Where is it from? Probably Northern Thailand/ Burma.

An etching may or may not bring out an insert edge, but would most likely show a good monosteel temper line.

Nice find

Nathaniel

Nathaniel · 19th January 2011, 12:27 AM

Similar debate in another section...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13168

Montino Bourbon · 19th January 2011, 03:41 AM

Yes, I was following that one too; a very interesting discussion. I'm just wondering whether the silver on this is “patinated” and should be left that way (it's definitely “patinated”) or “dirty”.

How would it be treated in its place of origin? Does anybody know how a person from that area would keep something like this?

To polish or not to polish, that is the question!

Henk · 19th January 2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Similar debate in another section...

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13168

I don't agree the debate in the other section is similar. While other weapons are not touched because of the patina, the keris is cleaned, partly because of esoteric reasons, but also because it is custom to do so with a keris.
i know that this explanation is very plain, and could be reason for critics but read the link and you will understand.

For this dha i think it would be polished in the place of origin. Removing the dirt and the black oxidation of the silver. Silver is ment to be shiny, with exception for Djogya silver. I have a small dha hilt and scabbard silver. I received it polished and shiny, not black and dirty.
My two cents, for what it is worth .....

Lew · 19th January 2011, 09:21 PM

You can always polish silver but leave brass alone

Andrew · 21st January 2011, 06:01 PM

I would polish it--the appearance of the oxidation makes me think this is likely low-quality silver and it would be significantly improved with a polish. It's just not very nice-looking patina, and if it were still in its original culture, the owner would keep it clean and polished.

I do not, however, advocate for a blanket policy of polishing the silver on all my dha/daab, etc. Those with very high-quality silver often develop a gorgeous, lustrous patina that is almost blue. I keep those as-is.

16th January 2011, 08:02 PM	#1
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 295	swap meet dha bought this at a local swap meet along with the rencong that I showed a little earlier this week. Where's it from? Should I polish the silver? Is this type of blade ever worth etching to see if it has an inserted edge? Am I verging on blasphemy? thank you in advance for your input; this site is not only a wonderful source of knowledge, but fun as well. Attached Images

16th January 2011, 08:03 PM	#2
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 295	Oh no! I posted it on the wrong forum! What do I do?

16th January 2011, 08:26 PM	#4
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 295	Thank you, David...

18th January 2011, 11:41 PM	#5
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Bump! Hello Montino Bourbon I would say it's a matter of personal preference whether to polish up the silver fittings & blade. Where is it from? Probably Northern Thailand/ Burma. An etching may or may not bring out an insert edge, but would most likely show a good monosteel temper line. Nice find Nathaniel

19th January 2011, 12:27 AM	#6
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Similar debate in another section... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13168

19th January 2011, 03:41 AM	#7
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 295	Yes, I was following that one too; a very interesting discussion. I'm just wondering whether the silver on this is “patinated” and should be left that way (it's definitely “patinated”) or “dirty”. How would it be treated in its place of origin? Does anybody know how a person from that area would keep something like this? To polish or not to polish, that is the question!

19th January 2011, 09:21 PM	#9
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	You can always polish silver but leave brass alone

21st January 2011, 06:01 PM	#10
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I would polish it--the appearance of the oxidation makes me think this is likely low-quality silver and it would be significantly improved with a polish. It's just not very nice-looking patina, and if it were still in its original culture, the owner would keep it clean and polished. I do not, however, advocate for a blanket policy of polishing the silver on all my dha/daab, etc. Those with very high-quality silver often develop a gorgeous, lustrous patina that is almost blue. I keep those as-is.