Yari

I wrapped the handle of my yari-head today.

The only one of my bladed weapons I kept from the states was this particular item. I will post some pictures later.

I kept it because it was one of the first weapons I purchased on my own and because it was hand-made from high-carbon steel.

High-carbon steel is good stuff. However! It rusts easily due to the carbon content.

A few months ago I put a coat of oil on the blade to keep it from rusting more in the more humid climate of Malaysia.

Recently I decided to do something with the haft so that I could use it as a short sword if I want to. It is quite heavy for its size and makes a good training item.

So, today, I cleaned the haft and then applied electrical tape to the haft in overlapping layers, pulled tightly. This created a water-proof barrier.

Then I wrapped the handle with about 823cm of para-cord that I have with me from the states as well.

I wrapped a layer around the haft and then a crossed layer over that before carefully tying the end of it off to form a guard of sorts. My hands hurt from rope abrasions. I pulled the rope very very tight when wrapping to push the rope deep into the tape and to prevent the rope from moving around during any use of the blade.

After that I took it downstairs to show mom and dad. Mom likes the scabbard I made for the blade many years ago and she likes the wrap the way that I did it. However, she does not like the blade itself. She doesn't like even a simple pocket knife and does not understand my blade fascination.

I JUST mentioned to mom and dad that we cannot touch the blade or it will rust. Siew's dad picked it up and the FIRST thing he does is touch the blade!

Later I used lacquer thinner to wipe the salts from the blade that would have been deposited from his touch.

I showed the spear head to Hai Jiang just a few minutes ago. The first thing he did, after I said DO NOT TOUCH the blade, was touch the blade. I had to push his hand away from the blade to keep him from further touching the blade. Then I explained why he shouldn't touch it.

I wiped the blade, but later I will have to use more thinner to clean the salts off and put another coat of oil on the blade.

*sigh*