Is It Acceptable To Restore An Antique Khukuri?

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
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It's common to find Japanese katana even 500 years old which are in exceptional condition. The blades are fully "polished" perhaps every 100 years, and the sageo, same' and even the saya are oftentimes changed if necessary. The value of the kantana does not depreciate with these necessary restoration initiatives...

What is typically performed on an antique khukuri to restore it? I've never seen an antique khukuri with a truly pristine blade, and usually the handles look like they need to be restored or replaced.

Thanks! :)
 
I'll wipe the metal down with an oily rag to stop active rust and remove dirt. The handle will get some Ballistol or similar to prevent further damage. That's as far as I go, personally. One could possibly go a bit further without affecting the value but I don't trust myself to do anything else if I'm interested in preserving its original condition.

An expert could tell you more.
 
Drdan said:
It's common to find Japanese katana even 500 years old which are in exceptional condition. The blades are fully "polished" perhaps every 100 years, and the sageo, same' and even the saya are oftentimes changed if necessary. The value of the kantana does not depreciate with these necessary restoration initiatives...

What is typically performed on an antique khukuri to restore it? I've never seen an antique khukuri with a truly pristine blade, and usually the handles look like they need to be restored or replaced.

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

Japanese swords are an oddball exception when it comes to antiques. For just about anything else, including khukuries, you do not rebuild it unless the original component has been completely destroyed. For one thing; cleaning the blade to remove patination erases key evidence of the knife's authenticity. For another, these old marks and stray scratches are as much part of the artifact's history as the rest of it; and, most collectors would rather care for that history then erase it.

If you want a bright and shiny knife, buy a new one from HI. The older ones are only temporarily entrusted to us, to preserve, until they can be past on to posterity.

n2s
 
Thanks for the input, guys... :thumbup: Being that I never saw an "as new condition" antique, I assumed that they were not restored like a katana would be. The care you outlined Dave, will keep the antique in its very best condition. Thanks! :)
 
The true quality, detail & value of a Japanese blade is only visible when in top polish. Its fittings were always designed to be taken apart & replaced at its owners whims.

That is not true of kukri.

Most so called "restoration" I have seen isnt restoration. It is a modern refinnishing.

Restoration is taking things back to the point they were, for instance I have done that when I gently removed the black paint on an old military kukri that had been used to hide its silver fittings.

But true restoration is rare.

If one wants to refinnish an old blade & put a modern handle on it so they have a great looking kukri to use. {even if that use is as a decorative wallflower} then so be it. That is there choice.

Its may be a great looking practical composite hybrid. But it is not "Restored" nor "Antique."

Spiral
 
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