Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

ariel · 3rd January 2007, 07:46 PM

Recently, I saw an article about a young Russian swordsmith, Mr. Ivan Kirpichev, who produces wonderful wootz blades.
http://www.persianmirror.com/Article...ubCategory=117
One part was quite fascinating:
( here is the direct quote):
"While talking about Persian blades, Mr. Kirpichev says that most of them are easily recognizable, as to state they were made by some standardized technology and from the same materials. The crucible steel blades from India, on the other hand, vary significantly, from very good to very poor quality. Also, in history books, it is well-documented – says Mr. Kirpichev – that Persians were traveling to India – possibly to teach Indian smiths or to share the technology of forging blades with crucible steel. "
Is Mr. Kirpichev correct? Are Persian wootz blades uniformly good and are Indian ones so variable that some are of "poor" quality? Did Persian smiths go to India to teach or, perhaps, to learn? Ot just to exchange notes, as equal?
Having seen a lot of Indian wootz blades of the highest quality, I have a problem imagining Indian smiths as bumbling amateurs who learned the rudimentaries of their craft at the knee of their brilliant Persian teachers.
Is Mr. Kirpichev correct in his assessment?

3rd January 2007, 07:46 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Wootz: Persian or Indian? Recently, I saw an article about a young Russian swordsmith, Mr. Ivan Kirpichev, who produces wonderful wootz blades. http://www.persianmirror.com/Article...ubCategory=117 One part was quite fascinating: ( here is the direct quote): "While talking about Persian blades, Mr. Kirpichev says that most of them are easily recognizable, as to state they were made by some standardized technology and from the same materials. The crucible steel blades from India, on the other hand, vary significantly, from very good to very poor quality. Also, in history books, it is well-documented – says Mr. Kirpichev – that Persians were traveling to India – possibly to teach Indian smiths or to share the technology of forging blades with crucible steel. " Is Mr. Kirpichev correct? Are Persian wootz blades uniformly good and are Indian ones so variable that some are of "poor" quality? Did Persian smiths go to India to teach or, perhaps, to learn? Ot just to exchange notes, as equal? Having seen a lot of Indian wootz blades of the highest quality, I have a problem imagining Indian smiths as bumbling amateurs who learned the rudimentaries of their craft at the knee of their brilliant Persian teachers. Is Mr. Kirpichev correct in his assessment? Last edited by ariel; 3rd January 2007 at 08:04 PM.