Surprise

[Yannis]

Recently I was lucky to find in Ebay an antique big Kurdish jambiya. I always wanted one. The price was a real bargain. When I got it I was very happy about the hilt and the scabbard. Great silverwork. But it was obvious that the blade had been replaced. I was ready for it because of the seller’s photos.

The blade was very rusty, so I cleaned it and (without any particular reason) I etched it, with my “secret” method. I could not believe the result! It was wootz! I was working 2 days with this and I have not finish it yet, but I can show you some photos.

BTW, a very similar jambiya is in Artzi’s personal collection: http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=123 He dont mention the size of it. Mine is 48cm in scabbard.

I write this post as a warning. Are you sure about these rusty blades you own? :rolleyes:

[Mare Rosu]

YANNIS
Boy did you make out on that dagger!
Are you sure you didn't get Artzi dagger?
I can see that the two daggers are almost alike.
Question; What this "secret"stuff on etching a wootz blade?
I was under the impression that we of the forum were such good folks we did not have ANY secrets between us ;) So fess up and tell us what you use. I promise this to you, I will not pass it on to anyone else,OK? :)
Great find I say.
Gene

[Yannis]

Gene
My "secret" stuff is just vinegar :D. We have talk a lot about it. I think ideal solution is 1:3 to hot water. Why hot? I dont know, I imagine that it is better ;)

The most important is the origin of the vinegar. It must be Greek! This is an opportunity to advertise local products internationally :p

[Jens Nordlunde]

Tell me Yannis, do you drink the stuff, or do you use it on the blade?
The water has to be warm to make the mixture work faster, if you use cold water the mixture will work very slowly.
Congratulation with your buy, it is a very nice dagger, and the surprise with the blade was a nice one.
The conclusion must be, never mind how bad the blade looks, always try to etch it.

[Ferguson]

Is there anything better than finding a pattern on an old rusty blade?!

I mean other than health or women! ;)

Steve