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View Full Version : Laminated Zulu blade??


The Double D
25th July 2006, 05:41 PM
While cleaning this spear blade I notice some marks on the blade.

http://www.fototime.com/4F2BEF26B2A88F8/standard.jpg

The marks go the full length of both sides the blade and are roughly parallel to the edge of the blade.

You can see the mark quite well in this picture.

http://www.fototime.com/7965305CD20B82D/standard.jpg

Could this be laminated steel. Could a steel blade made with a rock hammer be laminated?

Is there any way to enhance this possible lamination line with destroying the patina on the blade?

Lew
25th July 2006, 06:13 PM
Double D

Most old South African and Congo spears were made from either wrought iron or shear steel which would account for that laminated look. The African forge was pretty crude basically a hole in the ground and a bellows of some type it would not have been able to get the steel hot enough to do the welds needed to create a true laminated blade.


Lew

The Double D
26th July 2006, 04:45 AM
Yes Lew, obvious answer, I should have thunk!!!

Thanks!!

DD

spiral
26th July 2006, 10:58 PM
Looks nice though.