Interesting wootz tulwar for comments

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by RSWORD

Hi Gene,

The forging of the blade is a deliberate process to get this kind of result but the pattern produced is somewhat random. In this case, I don't think the pattern produced is meant to symbolize anything but rather what is produced illicits comparisons to flowing water, or sometimes woodgrain so these are more in the describing of what is being seen in the blade. Kind of like which came first, the chicken or the egg. I think the pattern came first, and from that the descriptions of what was being seen. The only pattern that is "created" and not strictly the result of the forging process is the ladder pattern. This is a mechanically created pattern. The wootz ingot is manipulated during the forging process in a way that produces the pattern. It is an artificial ladder over the random pattern the wootz process creates. The variety of patterns that one can find is interesting and many classifications of these patterns have been proposed over the years. There are certain patterns, that due to their level of activity, color and clarity that can be associated with a certain region. Your blade, for example, has the color and consistency in pattern as well as overall activity(swirls, meandering lines, waves, etc.) that is most often associated with Persian manufacture. There are certain patterns which can be associated with India and certain patterns that can be associated with Turkey/Syria. If interested in the study of wootz and the various patterns and classifications, there are some good books I would be happy to recommend.

Thanks mate, you're a star! The information you've provided has been extremely helpful and informative.
Are any of those books easy to find and relatively cheap?
As usual for me, owning a thing begins the study.
I have an indian wootz Katar but the quality is nothing compared with this sword. I didn't think I'd ever find such a nice example within my budget.
Best
Gene

[RSWORD]

The one that I recommend that is probably the most reasonable to find and the most economical, but unfortunately not cheap, is Manfred Sachse "Damascus Steel", ISBN 3-514-00522-2. Double check to make sure it is the English version. What is great about the book is he covers all the varieties of damascus steel from pattern welds to wootz and he has lots of pictures to illustrate the type and he offers his own categorization of wootz. Should be easy to find and with a bit of shopping around you can probably find a copy for under $100. I think this would be a great starting point.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by RSWORD

The one that I recommend that is probably the most reasonable to find and the most economical, but unfortunately not cheap, is Manfred Sachse "Damascus Steel", ISBN 3-514-00522-2. Double check to make sure it is the English version. What is great about the book is he covers all the varieties of damascus steel from pattern welds to wootz and he has lots of pictures to illustrate the type and he offers his own categorization of wootz. Should be easy to find and with a bit of shopping around you can probably find a copy for under $100. I think this would be a great starting point.

Thanks Mate, I'll keep an eye out for a bargain copy
I can certainly see why wootz is addictive!!!

[Atlantia]

I've been asked for some measurements of this sword.

[Gonzalo G]

Thank you very much for those measures, Gene. I believe they will give a more deep understanding on the characteristics of this beautiful swords. Looking the picture I wouldn´t believe that the width of the blade was only 3 cm and the weight of the sword only 800 gr. Measures give a much more precise perspective. My congratulations for your acquisition. You have a veri nice collection there.
My best regards

Gonzalo

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Gonzalo G

Thank you very much for those measures, Gene. I believe they will give a more deep understanding on the characteristics of this beautiful swords. Looking the picture I wouldn´t believe that the width of the blade was only 3 cm and the weight of the sword only 800 gr. Measures give a much more precise perspective. My congratulations for your acquisition. You have a veri nice collection there.
My best regards

Gonzalo

Welcome back my friend.

The sword feels incredibly light when held. Even in my rather wide hand the hilt feels smooth and comfortable, it swings beautifully, and the balance is perfect. A complete revelation compared to most Tulwars I have owned.

Best
Gene