Igorot/Bontok Shield

Sajen · 5th October 2014, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

Hello Detlef, The shield is scheduled to arrive on Monday if everything goes right and I will post them then. As this is my first large wooden piece what should and should not be done to it as far as cleaning and preservation? I was thinking of wiping it down with a cloth dampened with a mixture of distilled water and Murphy's oil soap to remove any loose dust or dirt and then giving a good coat of Ren wax. Is this an acceptable way of treating it or is there a more prefered way to go about its cleaning?

Hello Robert,

I think this will work, try before at a place in the back which is not visible direct. When I have seen it correct is there a small piece of wood just over one of the rotan bindings which could need some care, maybe you will be able to fix it in a better way. Be careful and don't overclean the shield.

Regards,
Detlef

Robert · 6th October 2014, 10:44 PM

The shield arrived today and I am more than happy with it. The bit of damage that Detlef pointed out looks to have been caused by a strike from something with a sharpened edge. The blow did not penetrate the shield completely and most of the damage to be wood was caused when whatever it was struck with was withdrawn pulling part of the wood forward. The inside surface of the handle has the feel of polished stone, a texture that is only acquired by years of being handled. The shield has years of dust accumulated on it that I will be using a soft brush to remove. The only real problem with the shield is that the wood is extremely dry. This is where I need help from the experts in wood preservation. What is the best course of action that should be taken to help preserve the wood and what should I use to do it? In the past I have used linseed or olive oil warmed in a double boiler and then brushed onto the wood wiping off any excess oil that did not soak in after a few seconds. After the oil I would then apply a coat of Ren wax and call it a day. Any and all help and suggestions on what should or should not be done to this will be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert

P.S. I will post more photos after the cleaning and preservation are complete.

Sajen · 6th October 2014, 11:15 PM

Hello Robert,

nice to read that you are happy with it! I also use liseed oil but haven't used it by my Bontoc shields because it will darken the surface. My one is as well very dry and I've done nothing. It's hanging at the wall and don't see any fights so it's save for break!

Maybe only Ren wax?

Regards,
Detlef

Robert · 8th October 2014, 11:04 PM

Thank you Detlef for your reply and advice on this. It is hard to believe that out of all the experts here that none have had experience with an item in this condition, or that no other advice is being offered on how to care for it.

I have plenty of experience on working with smaller wooden items and (over the years) have learned that what works for them does not always work the same for larger items. I think that I will leave it "as is" for now as my last experience with having someone else do work for me on a large wooden item turned out to be a disaster.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 9th October 2014, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

It is hard to believe that out of all the experts here that none have had experience with an item in this condition, or that no other advice is being offered on how to care for it.

Indeed!

Nonoy Tan · 9th October 2014, 09:57 PM

Hi Robert,

Taking off dust by use of a brush is a basic step for me. Next is a ren wax treatment, unless the shield is too delicate in which case no treatment is made.

Nonoy

Robert · 10th October 2014, 06:25 AM

Hello Nonoy, and thank you for your advice. I have cleaned the dust and lint from it using a clean paint brush and canned air like used to clean dust from keyboards. I then applied some ren wax to a small area on the back of the shield where it was sucked into the wood like a sponge. The wood is not delicate or falling apart when being handled it is just VERY dry like it might have been hung on a wall by a fireplace or something else that helped to over dry the wood. That is why I was asking if a light coating of either olive or linseed oil might be applied before the wax to help rehydrate the wood.

Best,
Robert

6th October 2014, 10:44 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	The shield arrived today and I am more than happy with it. The bit of damage that Detlef pointed out looks to have been caused by a strike from something with a sharpened edge. The blow did not penetrate the shield completely and most of the damage to be wood was caused when whatever it was struck with was withdrawn pulling part of the wood forward. The inside surface of the handle has the feel of polished stone, a texture that is only acquired by years of being handled. The shield has years of dust accumulated on it that I will be using a soft brush to remove. The only real problem with the shield is that the wood is extremely dry. This is where I need help from the experts in wood preservation. What is the best course of action that should be taken to help preserve the wood and what should I use to do it? In the past I have used linseed or olive oil warmed in a double boiler and then brushed onto the wood wiping off any excess oil that did not soak in after a few seconds. After the oil I would then apply a coat of Ren wax and call it a day. Any and all help and suggestions on what should or should not be done to this will be greatly appreciated. Best, Robert P.S. I will post more photos after the cleaning and preservation are complete.

6th October 2014, 11:15 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,608	Hello Robert, nice to read that you are happy with it! I also use liseed oil but haven't used it by my Bontoc shields because it will darken the surface. My one is as well very dry and I've done nothing. It's hanging at the wall and don't see any fights so it's save for break! Maybe only Ren wax? Regards, Detlef

8th October 2014, 11:04 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you Detlef for your reply and advice on this. It is hard to believe that out of all the experts here that none have had experience with an item in this condition, or that no other advice is being offered on how to care for it. I have plenty of experience on working with smaller wooden items and (over the years) have learned that what works for them does not always work the same for larger items. I think that I will leave it "as is" for now as my last experience with having someone else do work for me on a large wooden item turned out to be a disaster. Best, Robert

9th October 2014, 09:57 PM	#6
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Hi Robert, Taking off dust by use of a brush is a basic step for me. Next is a ren wax treatment, unless the shield is too delicate in which case no treatment is made. Nonoy

10th October 2014, 06:25 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Nonoy, and thank you for your advice. I have cleaned the dust and lint from it using a clean paint brush and canned air like used to clean dust from keyboards. I then applied some ren wax to a small area on the back of the shield where it was sucked into the wood like a sponge. The wood is not delicate or falling apart when being handled it is just VERY dry like it might have been hung on a wall by a fireplace or something else that helped to over dry the wood. That is why I was asking if a light coating of either olive or linseed oil might be applied before the wax to help rehydrate the wood. Best, Robert