An antique Thai enep

[Sajen]

Not long ago I purchased a very neglect enep from Thailand, this is what I think it is. Like always I could be wrong but think that I am correct.
After some intensive maintenance it turned out that it is a very nice little knife. So I think that it is worth to share it with you.
First three pictures from the seller.

All comments are welcome.

[Sajen]

Here some pictures after it was received.

[Sajen]

Here some pictures after I have given it care. Could it be that the handle is from rhino horn?

[harrywagner]

Wow. You did an amazing job of restoration. Any tips you can pass along regarding how you did it? Thanks for sharing. An interesting knife. An amazing restoration job.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by harrywagner

Wow. You did an amazing job of restoration. Any tips you can pass along regarding how you did it? Thanks for sharing. An interesting knife. An amazing restoration job.

Thank you Harry for the kind words but I wouldn't call it restoration, I've just cleaned it up.

Since I was able to pull up over the brass bands from the scabbard I was able to clean the wooden scabbard inside since it is built from two parts of wood. The wood from outside I've polished with car polish and oiled it. The fittings I've cleaned with 000 steel wool and metal polish. The ferrule was a difficult project since I want to protect the dark patination from the iron part, so I've polished it with 2000 sandpaper and WD40. The horn was polished with car polish also and oiled with linseed oil.
The heavy corroded blade I've sanded with sandpaper, started with 120 up to 1000.

Regards,
Detlef

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

Sorry, I missed this thread a year ago.

Could it be that the handle is from rhino horn?

I don't think so; however, we need a close-up of the end grain, i. e. the tip of the pommel, to verify.

Regards,
Kai

[CharlesS]

Nice job Detlef! Nothing's more fun than bringing a worn, neglected piece back to life, and you have done it well!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Nice job Detlef! Nothing's more fun than bringing a worn, neglected piece back to life, and you have done it well!

Thank you Charles and I agree complete with you! A great fun is it to see that I was correct to buy this knife because I've known about the outcome.

What's crazy, the blade is worked from a very good steel, there are no deep pittings left from the hard corrosion and that the blade is still extreme sharp after the cleaning.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

I don't think so; however, we need a close-up of the end grain, i. e. the tip of the pommel, to verify.

Hello Kai,

I am not sure as well, it's difficult stuff, every rhino horn I've handled has had a different look. A close up of the handle top isn't helpful since it's cone-shaped and glossy patinated.

Regards,
Detlef

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

I am not sure as well, it's difficult stuff, every rhino horn I've handled has had a different look.

Color, translucency, feel, and surface texture vary a lot with rhino (and age and storage conditions of the pieces). Only the microstructure can be relied on.

A close up of the handle top isn't helpful since it's cone-shaped and glossy patinated.

One very rarely has a nicely orthogonal cut of the end grain; usually we can deal with it though. Just give it a try...

Regards,
Kai