Cleaned up basket hilt

[beloitpiper]

My new basket hilt I got from a fellow Gordon. After a little elbow grease it looks great!

Before:


After:


Finally:



Still a little work to be done on the tip, but I'm getting there!

[thescot]

Good work, and it's not always easy to clean up a sword.

I try to keep mine slightly oiled to discourage rusting since I only haul it out for the Burns Supper once a year.

[slohairt]

That's a nice looking sword, Greg. I've always wanted nice basket hilt but could never really justify the expense. (I can't believe I just said that on this forum! )

[dowofbuchanan]

good on ya mate, i fine piece to be sure

[Cynthia]

Very nice!

[McMurdo]

Nice work Greg.

[Nighthawk]

It looks great! What did you use to clean it? I have my great grandfather's saber from the Civil War- in near perfect condition, aside from tarnish- and I would love to clean it.

[sydnie7]

It looks great! What did you use to clean it? I have my great grandfather's saber from the Civil War- in near perfect condition, aside from tarnish- and I would love to clean it.

I'd be sure to check with an expert before touching that. How many times have the appraisers on Antiques Roadshow said "And if it hadn't been cleaned, it would be worth. . . [insert some multiple of the quote here]." You can easily ruin a valuable piece or seriously damage its worth.

Just my $0.02 / IMHO / YMMV!

[BroosterB1]

I'd be sure to check with an expert before touching that. How many times have the appraisers on Antiques Roadshow said "And if it hadn't been cleaned, it would be worth. . . [insert some multiple of the quote here]." You can easily ruin a valuable piece or seriously damage its worth.

Just my $0.02 / IMHO / YMMV!

Yup Tarnish = Patina
Patina= Age
Age= $

Hawk this is especially true if you have documentation on your kin's saber, you may never sell it, but you sure don't want to lose value just to make something "Pretty".

[MarkMcM]

Don't mess with it. More harm has come from well intentioned cleanings than you know.